In just four years from idea to reality, the Simpsonville City Park has officially reopened with a new name.
The newly-renamed Gracely ParkMatthew Causey
A ceremony was held Thursday morning to celebrate the dedication of the newly installed sculpture in the recently renamed Gracely Park, named after the city administrator who the Mayor credits for much of the progress the city of Simpsonville has seen during her tenure.
“This is a marvelous place,” Simpsonville Mayor Paul Shewmaker said. “It’s a great place for our children to play, for us and our friends to come and listen to music on the great lawn. It is just a place that reflects the heart of our community and brings us together.
Newly-renamed Gracely ParkMatthew Causey
A major landmark of the park is the new sculpture, which was donated by Mayor Shewmaker’s brother, Michael Shewmaker.
The sculpture, “Ki No Te”, is Japanese for “Tree of Hands”, and is a large stainless steel sculpture of a hand-shaped tree reaching upwards. Mayor Shewmaker said he and other Simpsonville officials believe it represents “hands raised as a celebration of the city of Simpsonville”.
The New Sculpture at Simpsonville's Gracely ParkMatthew Causey
Mayor Shewmaker also made note of Simpsonville’s recent designation as a “Tree City”, which only roughly a quarter of cities in the state have received.
