About Us
Friends of Goodale State Park is an all volunteer non-profit organization created to assist South Carolina Recreation and Tourism in the renovation and revitalization of Goodale State Park. The renovation initiative will be accomplished through a cooperative effort between state and local government, local businesses, and residents of Kershaw County and surrounding areas. Our goal is to make Goodale State Park a family friendly park which will rival other state parks through its appearance, its richness in wildlife, the amenities offered, and its convenient location right here in Kershaw County.
Our Mission
To preserve, promote, and enhance Goodale State Park and its amenities in a way that preserves its natural beauty and ecological balance to enhance the recreational experience for current and future generations. As 501 (c) (3) non-profit, the organization seeks to raise funds to help improve facilities, help the rangers meet specific needs, provide volunteers for support services, and host programs to increase awareness about the park.
The History of Goodale
The park was built around the Maj. Samuel R. Adams mill pond. Adams, an Ohio native who fought on the side of the Union during the Civil War, was appointed marshal for the Camden area during Reconstruction. After he retired, he built the mill. Moving forward to the early 1950’s, Kershaw County exercised its option to buy the original Adams Mill tract, nearly 2000 acres, for the sum of $44,600. This acquisition came about through the efforts of N. Roland Goodale, a Camden florist and chairman of the Kershaw County Park and Recreation Commission and other fellow Commission members who had a vision for this park. As a result of their vision and perseverance, Kershaw County Park was dedicated June 8, 1955. After many years of success as a county park, approximately 760 acres of the original 2000 acre tract was carved out and ownership and management of the Park was transferred to the state of South Carolina whereby it became a member of the state parks system. For the new park name and in honor of its founder, the Park was appropriately named NR Goodale State Park. The park continues operation today as a member of the SCPRT system.
According to archives, the original master plan for the park included a facility for bathhouses, rest rooms, picnic shelters, roads and trails for activities such as swimming and bathing, boating, fishing, picnicking, hiking, and even camping. And for three decades or more going back to the mid 50’s, thousands of visitors (some daily) enjoyed all the park had to offer. Swimming was the big attraction and kids could not wait for school to end and fill their summer days swimming at the Park; it was the place to be during this time! But as swimming pools became popular both privately at homes, housing developments, hotels, and motels, swimming at Goodale State Park and other parks like it decreased to the point where it was no longer a viable offering and was eventually discontinued. Today, parks across South Carolina are adapting to offer amenities that appeal to today’s lifestyle yet maintain a focus on conservation and preservation.
Goodale State Park is open from 9-6 daily. For information on Goodale State Park, go to https://southcarolinaparks.com/goodale