Improvements Ongoing at Mile Creek Park

County officials hope that ongoing improvements at Mile Creek Park will entice more day-trippers and encourage overnight trips as well.

County Administrator Chappell Hurst told County Council Tuesday that the county secured a beautification grant for the park.

“With the help of Sally McGuire and the beautification committee as well as lot of folks from Public Works, we were able to improve the appearance as well as stop the erosion out at Mile Creek Park,” Hurst said. “We're very proud of the way that looks now. We keep improving that park. It's come a long way in the last few years.”

Hurst said the county secured a grant to replace boat docks at Mile Creek Park, which have now been installed.

The county is also currently seeking sewer permits from DHEC, to enable the construction of cabins at the park.

“Those should be installed before the summer,” Hurst said, of the septic system.

The cabins will be a new feature added to the park with contains 69 campsites currently available at the park.

All the sites have water and power hook ups, as well as fire rings and lantern posts. More than two-thirds of the park's campsites have directed access to the Lake Keowee shoreline.

Security is provided 24 hours a day, with a resident ranger and camp hosts to assure that your visit will be a safe and peaceful one. Gates open at 7:00 a.m. and close at 10:00 p.m.

Mile Creek Park's other amenities include paved boat ramps and parking for cars with trailers, offering boaters convenient access to scenic Lake Keowee for water skiing, sailing and some of the best fishing to be found anywhere, restrooms are located in the landing area, a 150-foot dock for loading and unloading boats, more than seven miles of Lake Keowee shoreline and rugged terrain, three public shelters for group outings equipped with water lights and large grills. numerous picnic sites, each with table and grill, 4 play areas, 2 with playground equipment, 1 basketball and volleyball court and a park store.

The beautification committee also oversees county entrance ways.

“This committee really works hard,” Hurst said. “They do the Trash Bash and there's a host of other things that they're involved with. I really can't sing their praises enough.”

“Boy, that is a super group,” County Council Chairman G. Neil Smith said.