CHERAW – A special dedication ceremony was held Tuesday night for the restoration of Caston Park located on Market and High Streets.

Mayor Scott Hunter and town officials gave praise to the hard work and determination that Cheraw Recreation and Leisure Services Director Jay Bennett and Cheraw Parks and Grounds Director Scott Laney has shown along with several others who played a part in the project.

“We have been co-working on the project that was funded through a $50,000 Parks and Recreation Development (PARD) grant. The entire project cost $70,000 and we received $50,000 from the grant money. The other $20,000 will be picked up by the Hospitality Tax funds from the Town,” said Bennett.

Laney, who grew up in Cheraw and used to play in Caston Park as a child, said, “I remember how it was before they built the one that we have now. We have come a long way.”

Some of the new improvements include a brand new shelter and concessions building that houses a men’s and a women’s restroom, new dugouts, topsoil, a new irrigation system for the infield and the outfield, new yellow safety capping around the lower part of the fence, fence restoration, new signage, new picnic tables and much more.

The park still showcases the groomed playground area for the children as well as the tennis court.

“People will just have to come out to the park and see all of the improvements we have done. They will be able to enjoy the new look of the park and utilize it,” said Bennett.

“We never had an irrigation system in the park before. This will make a difference, too,” said Laney.

The companies who were hired to performed the work on the Caston Park project are Frankie Parrett (Irrigation System, Hudson Inc, (Ricky Hudson), Jones Fencing and Construction (Hendley Jones), Furr Grading and Paving (Jeff Furr), and Hunter Electric. The Cheraw Public Works crews worked on the demolition and the Cheraw Public Utilities Dept. connected the water and sewer lines.

Both Bennett and Laney said that even though their dream of improving Caston Park is now a reality, their work does not end here.

“We are researching some more grants for improvements to Byrd Park as well, which is in our future plans,” said Bennett.