Council Chooses Name for New Park

Irmo's new park on Eastview Drive will be called Community Park of Irmo.

Council members voted unanimously for the name at their meeting Tuesday night.

Councilman Paul Younginer originally wanted to name it Memorial Park in honor of first responders and public officials. But some council members, including Mayor Hardy King, weren't in favor of the name.

"Every time I hear that name I think of a cemetery," King said. 

Councilman Harvey Hoots said Memorial Park was too narrow of a name. 

"I just think it needs to be a very simple, nondescript type of name," Hoots said, "because there are going to be a lot of things that go on there - not just one thing." 

After a brief discussion, council members voted in favor of Community Park. 

Council also agreed to accept a $120,000 donation from Palmetto Health for the amphitheater at the new park. In exchange, Palmetto Health gets naming rights to the amphitheater and stage.