SIMPSONVILLE — City Council voted 5-1 Tuesday night to approve a master plan for the expansion of Heritage Park, clearing the way for a $2.8 million project that will add a splash pad, extended walking trails along the eastern perimeter, and a new covered pavilion adjacent to the Clock Tower plaza.

The plan, developed over eight months with input from more than 400 residents through public surveys and two community meetings held at the Simpsonville City Hall, represents the most significant investment in Heritage Park since the Clock Tower was installed in 2009.

“Heritage Park is the front porch of this city,” said Mayor [Paul Shewmaker]. “What we’re approving tonight reflects what residents told us they want — more shade, more water play for kids, and more reasons to gather downtown.”

The splash pad, designed for children ages 2 through 12, will be installed near the existing playground on the park’s northwest side and is expected to open in time for summer 2027. Water features will operate on a sensor-activated system requiring no standing water, reducing maintenance costs compared to traditional splash pad designs.

The extended trail loop will add approximately 0.4 miles to the park’s existing path network, connecting the eastern edge of Heritage Park to the greenway corridor near the Five Forks Simpsonville branch of the Greenville County Library. City Parks Director [Name] said the connection had been a frequently requested improvement.

“We’ve had families tell us for years that they wanted to be able to walk from the park to the library without getting in a car,” she said. “This makes that possible.”

The sole dissenting vote came from Councilmember [Name], who expressed concern about the project’s timeline and asked whether the splash pad construction could be phased to reduce upfront costs. Council members said the unified bid approach would yield better pricing from contractors.

Funding for the expansion draws from Simpsonville’s capital improvement budget, a Greenville County recreation grant of $450,000, and $300,000 in federal Community Development Block Grant funds. No new debt will be issued.

Design work is expected to begin this spring, with construction bids going out in the fall. The city anticipates breaking ground by early 2027.