South Carolina’s oldest city gets long awaited river park

CAMDEN, S.C. (AP) -

For the first time in more than a century, the public has access to the Wateree River in South Carolina’s oldest city.

Camden opened the new $1.4 million Camden Riverfront Environmental Park on Wednesday.

The park became possible after the closing of a wastewater lagoon along the river, officials said.

The park includes a river trail and a place to launch canoes and kayaks.

Officials hope to expand the park with boardwalks to connect to an island in the lagoon and covered observation platforms.

Camden paid $800,000 of the park’s cost. A grant through South Carolina tourism officials provided $500,000 and the state Department of Natural Resources gave $100,000, officials said.