Cayce Announces $2.1 Million Donation for New Visitors Center at 12,000 Year History Park

Cayce Unveils Exciting Plans for New Visitors Center!

Hey, Cayce residents! If you’ve been keeping an eye on the local happenings, we’ve got some thrilling news that’s about to turn our charming city into a history lover’s paradise! The city of Cayce is buzzing with excitement as it recently announced a whopping $2.1 million donation from the Darnall W. and Susan F. Boyd Foundation. This generous gift will kick off the grand construction of a much-anticipated visitors center at the beautiful 12,000 Year History Park.

Quiet Lot to Vibrant Hub

That gravel lot you’ve passed near the Cayce Tennis and Fitness Center? Well, hold onto your hats, because it’s about to transform into a bustling hub of knowledge and discovery! This park isn’t just any green space; it stretches across 350 acres, providing access to the scenic Cayce Riverwalk and the 3.5-mile Timmerman Trail.

The idea for this visitors center has been floating around for ages—since 1996, to be exact! Ozzie Naglar, who was there with officials at a recent press conference, first sketched out conceptual designs all those years ago. After years of planning and fundraising, things are finally coming together. The project really picked up steam in 2021 with the arrival of two generous $1 million state grants that helped clear the way for the site preparations.

Groundbreaking Goals!

City officials, including Mayor Elise Partin, hope to break ground on this exciting project in 2025. Once construction kicks off, the building is expected to take about 10-12 months to complete. “I’ll be even happier when we get to the groundbreaking,” Partin remarked with enthusiasm. “This is really awesome, but let’s move some dirt and see this thing start to come out of the ground!”

A Glimpse into History

Now, what makes the 12,000 Year History Park so special? This park isn’t just a pretty place to stroll—it’s a treasure trove of history! Evidence shows that humans have lived in this area for over 12,000 years, and it has seen a range of inhabitants from ancient Mammoths to Native American tribes and even Civil War soldiers.

The park website paints a vivid picture: “It includes earthworks from an 1865 Civil War battle and is full of stories that offer something for explorers of all ages.” Activities like guided tours, nature days, and Civil War encampments already occur in the park, but the visitors center aims to take it to the next level. Just imagine rotating exhibits showcasing artifacts that have been unearthed right at this historic site!

Connecting with Nature

The River Alliance has been working tirelessly alongside local officials to enhance access to the rivers that flow through our community. The visitors center will be a crucial addition, helping create a walking and biking path that could connect people to 27 uninterrupted miles of trails in the area. Mike Dawson, CEO of the River Alliance, believes that visitors will be amazed by what this center offers. He mentioned, “Whether you’re interested in history or not, we can convince you once we get you here.”

The center will not only serve as a gateway to the park but will also include essential amenities like parking and restrooms. Imagine parking your car and heading straight to the greenway for a delightful bike ride, dog walk, or family outing!

A Boost for Local Tourism

With all these exciting developments, Mayor Partin believes that the visibility and accessibility of the park, along with the visitors center, will certainly encourage more tourism in the area. “[It’ll be] easily accessible for school groups, easily accessible for adding another stop in our region so that people stay longer and get to experience our region more,” she stated, highlighting the benefits of the project.

So, folks, let’s keep our fingers crossed for that groundbreaking day! We can hardly wait to see what the future holds for our beloved Cayce and the 12,000 Year History Park.