Town of Lexington wins Award

Municipal Association of South Carolina 2010 Municipal Achievement Awards Population 10,001-20,000: Town of Lexington
Illegal activity in a lot on the west side of Lexington caused the federal government to seize the property. It was an eyesore for the town and its residents. Through careful planning, resident input and creative partnerships, local officials were able to take a blemish and turn it into an asset for the community.

Federal guidelines required the property be used as a recreational space. Town council, staff and a committee of residents worked together to devise a plan for the property that would benefit the neighborhood. Because the area badly needed green space, the committee decided to redevelop the space into a community park to benefit the historically low-to-moderate income neighborhood.

The town contributed a small portion of the funding needed, with the rest funded entirely through the support of local companies. Officials sent letters to each potential sponsor describing the need, the construction plan and how they could help. Donors would receive a plaque and signage at the park in recognition of their contributions.

Beyond financial donations, volunteers from the community and corporate donors helped develop plans and worked to landscape the park. This was the first public-private partnership of this magnitude in the town’s history. The new park incorporates a playground, picnic shelter, fountain and lots of green space for running and jumping. It has become a neighborhood gathering place.

Officials named the park for Willie B. Caractor, a respected African-American leader in Lexington. Caractor was an area teacher and advocate for the neighborhood where the park was built. He had been instrumental in getting his neighborhood annexed into the town so that residents could enjoy police protection and water services. The new park has a bronze marker commemorating Caractor. The marker was unveiled at the park’s grand opening, a community hamburger cookout provided by volunteers and town officials.
Despite being Lexington’s smallest park, it has become a big point of pride for the community.