Kershaw County Science Park
History
Except for a brief period in the 1980s, a Radio Control (RC) modelers group has existed in Camden, a small mid-South Carolina town of about 7,000, since 1965. The Kershaw County Recreation Department started the Camden Model Airplane Club; 12 members belonged to the AMA. A period of dormancy began in 1984 as members developed other interests, moved away, or dropped out for other reasons.
Several flying sites were used before the club became inactive. An empty hayfield on private land was used with the owner's permission. In 1990 the Recreation Department helped form another modelers club — the Kershaw County Flyers (KCF). As before, the club's flying site was an unused hayfield on private land and no field improvements were allowed. In 1994 the landowner asked fliers to relocate because he wanted to use the land for a business venture. The club searched but was unable to find a suitable site for free lease or sale.
Proposal and Approval
The Recreation Department proposed using part of the municipal landfill, which was closing, as a public Science Park to include:
- an RC flying site,
- an observatory house for the Recreation Department's 12-inch reflector telescope,
- a model car race track,
- a model rocket launching pad.
Having gained local approval, the committee turned its attention to the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC), the state agency with jurisdiction over landfills. To strengthen the proposal, KCF contacted RC clubs in Memphis, Tennessee, and Florida that had built on closed landfills, sending letters, pictures, and sketches of their successes. DHEC initially denied approval.
The Science Park committee continued contact with DHEC. After persistent negotiation, DHEC reluctantly agreed — "we don't want to be in a position to prevent you." The KCF flying-site committee and the Kershaw Recreation Department agreed to follow all state rules and regulations for landfill use, operation, and maintenance during and after construction to ensure no future problems would arise.
Funding and Design
The Recreation Department provided funding. A parks construction grant proposal was prepared and submitted to South Carolina Parks, Recreation and Tourism. Once accepted and the design finalized, Science Park construction began.
KCF contacted a professional audio engineer who made sound measurements around the landfill perimeter. A club member flew a .40-size engine-powered aircraft to determine if the airstrip location would create noise problems. The flying site and park were designed according to AMA guidelines — spacing among pilot stations, pit area, weather shelter, spectator parking locations. Fencing was provided for safety to separate flying from other activities, and restroom facilities were built.
Construction and County Assistance
Many county agencies assisted club members during construction to reduce costs:
- County landfill operators provided loads of clay and topsoil to fill and level the park area.
- The county sheriff's office provided inmates who helped club members build a 20 x 40-foot weather shelter, restrooms, a paved runway, fencing, and the observatory house, and assisted in installing the telescope. Inmates served community service portions of their sentences.
- The Recreation Department provided tractors and lawn equipment to grade and prepare the 800 x 100-foot grass runway.
- County road maintenance personnel graded the entrance road and installed culverts.
- Heavy equipment and personnel from the South Carolina state highway maintenance county unit hydroseeded and fertilized the entire park site.
When the weather shelter and runway were completed, a DHEC field inspector accompanied the county landfill manager on an inspection of the flying site.
DHEC Inspection and Endorsement
During the inspection, a KCF member began to explain how the building and other facilities were constructed, but was interrupted by the DHEC inspector: “Yes, we know how you did it; we were watching you.” The inspector complimented the club on making good use of otherwise unusable land and told the landfill manager he “wanted the remainder of the closed landfill to look like this.” That endorsement was a strong affirmation of the club’s planning and hard work.
Current Use and Ownership
The 20 members of KCF are proud users of a first-class flying site obtained through the efforts of many agencies and dedicated club members. The club is sponsored by the Camden-Kershaw County Recreation Department and is AMA chartered, with Kershaw County insured as the site owner.
Since South Carolina state law specifies that all closed landfills must be owned and maintained by the owner for 30 years, the club is assured of a premier flying site for many years to come.
Planned Improvements
Near-term flying site improvements include:
- expanding the paved runway to 40 x 400 feet,
- widening the 800-foot grass strip to 150 feet,
- adding a picnic area and a larger seating area for spectators.
Guidelines for Clubs Looking for a New Site
The KCF site committee offers the following advice to clubs seeking a new site:
- Keep a positive attitude; you will encounter obstacles.
- Prepare a proposal and “do your homework” before contacting site owners or governmental agencies; document what other clubs have done successfully.
- Enlist the aid of local officials and civic groups in your site search and procurement efforts.
- Link several recreational outlets in a multiuse site proposal that will benefit a wide range of interests.
- Demonstrate and assure the site owner of a responsible, mature attitude toward safety in site design and operations.
- Follow through with progress reports; keep agencies with whom you are working informed.
Roger L. Marshall Secretary/Treasurer Kershaw County Flyers 420 Ridgecrest Dr. Camden, SC 29020
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
