Hurricane Helene Causes Significant Damage to Catawba Park in Tega Cay, Community Awaits Updates on Reopening

The Impact of Hurricane Helene on Catawba Park in Tega Cay

In Tega Cay, the beloved Catawba Park is currently under assessment for damage caused by Hurricane Helene, leaving many locals wondering when they can return to enjoy its amenities. On Monday afternoon, residents noticed that power was still out at the park, which is a picturesque 62 acres located along the banks of the Catawba River. Opened just two years ago, the park has become a favorite spot for families and sports enthusiasts alike.

Park Overview and Damage Assessment

Catawba Park is well-equipped for various activities, featuring five baseball fields and three multipurpose fields, including a large playground and event lawn perfect for community gatherings. Unfortunately, many of the fields sustained significant damage during the storm. The rectangular multipurpose fields, situated closest to the river, were hit the hardest, with areas remaining under water for days after the storm had passed. Reports from Gretchen Kalar, a city spokesperson, indicate that two of the three soccer fields experienced the most severe damage.

While the baseball fields appear to have fared somewhat better, the city is still in the process of determining the full extent of damage. Officials anticipate that power will be restored at the park soon, potentially by Tuesday, but it might take until the end of the week to know if any electronic equipment was damaged or what specific work needs to be done to make the fields suitable for play again.

Future Use and Accessibility

Good news has emerged regarding the potential reopening of parts of the park. The city is actively exploring the possibility of opening the park for limited use, even as some areas remain closed due to repair needs. “Once we can get it safely open, we’ll open it to that pedestrian use,” Kalar said, resonating with the community’s desire to get back outside.

As many youth sports participants—numbering up to 2,000 in recent seasons—have been anxiously awaiting updates, the urgency to resume activities is palpable. The local soccer programs, managed in partnership with Charlotte Independence, have communicated with parents, sharing that the park has experienced significant flooding and structural damage, thus suspending all practices and games until at least Sunday.

Community Response and Wider Impacts

The city, along with the soccer club, is working closely to create a game plan for moving forward as the youth sports programs hang in the balance. Tega Cay not only provides recreational activities in sports like soccer, flag football, and baseball, but it also serves as a venue for travel tournaments, especially baseball competitions.

In recent years, Tega Cay has seen a boom in public parks along the Catawba River, and Catawba Park is a key addition. The surrounding areas have also undergone upgrades, with York County enhancing parks like Ebenezer Park in Rock Hill and Allison Creek Park in Lake Wylie. Future additions are on the horizon, such as Catawba Bend Preserve on the Rock Hill side of the river. Meanwhile, Rock Hill’s swim beach park complements existing waterfront properties like River Park, inviting a continuous stream of community activity.

As of Monday afternoon, some parks in Rock Hill were closed, including Cherry Park and Rock Hill Lake Park, though the lake park reopened later in the week alongside Spencer Park, featuring a dog park and the scenic Piedmont trail at Riverwalk.

Conclusion

As the Tega Cay community rallies together during this challenging time, the anticipation for Catawba Park’s reopening grows. With many local sports programs and community events hinging on the park’s accessibility, residents remain hopeful for a quick recovery and restoration of their cherished leisure activities. Stay tuned for updates from city officials as they continue to assess the situation and navigate the path forward.