South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism Agency Overview

SCPRT GENERAL HISTORY - HIGHLIGHTS 1934 - SC Forestry Commission charged with developing a State Parks System 1936 - Myrtle Beach State Park became the first State Park open to the public 1963 - SC Attorney General ordered all SC State Parks closed in response to 1961 Desegregation Federal Order 1965 - Land and Water Conservation Fund (Federal Grant Program) established 1966 - All SC State Parks reopened 1968 - Welcome Center at Little River on Highway 17 became first State Welcome Center opened 1967 - SCPRT established; governed by PRT Commission 1987 – Parks and Recreation Development Fund (State Grant Program) established 1989 - Hurricane Hugo resulted in $4.5 million in damages at SC State Parks 1991 - Recreational Trails Program (Federal Grant Program) established 1993 - SCPRT became a Cabinet Agency 1994 - Film Office transferred to SCPRT, expanded to include Film, Entertainment and Sports Development 1999 - Film Office transferred to SC Department of Commerce 2003 - Agency restructured due to budget reductions 2006 - Destination Specific Marketing Fund (State Grant Program) established 2008 Film Office transferred to SCPRT - 2009 - Agency restructured due to budget reductions 2014 - SCPRT signed MOU with SCDOT; assumed full operational control of all SC Welcome Centers 2016 - Hurricane Matthew resulted in $8.7 million in damages at SC State Parks 2017 - SCPRT purchases St. Phillips Island South Carolina Just right.

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