Celebrating Earth Day: Duke Energy Supports Trail Recovery, Accessibility & Sustainability in South Carolina State Parks

April 22, 2025 | South Carolina State Parks

This Earth Day, South Carolina State Parks is celebrating a continued and impactful partnership with the Duke Energy Foundation that is helping enhance visitor experiences, restore natural spaces, and promote sustainability across the state.

During an Earth Day celebration at Table Rock State Park, leaders from the South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism (SCPRT) and Duke Energy announced several new initiatives that reflect a shared commitment to protecting and improving South Carolina’s treasured natural resources.

Trail Recovery at Jones Gap State Park

 Hurricane Helene brought damaging winds and rains that uprooted trees, triggered mudslides, and littered mountain trails with limbs, logs, and boulders. The Duke Energy Foundation donated $75,000 to support trail cleanup, which helped fuel the extensive work required to reopen Jones Gap State Park on March 1, 2025.

“The Upstate has been through a lot since last fall,” said SCPRT Director Duane Parrish. “From the first responders who secured our safety after Helene and in the recent wildfires, to the partners who have stepped up afterwards to help make us whole again, we have not had to face those dark days and difficult challenges alone. We are incredibly grateful to Duke Energy, who has been an amazing partner to South Carolina State Parks for many years. They have a heart for what we do in State Parks, and their generous support is pivotal in helping us protect, advance, and share our treasured places with visitors.”


Increasing Access at Table Rock State Park

 The Duke Energy Foundation is also supporting efforts to increase access at Table Rock State Park by donating a Waymaker Offroad Wheelchair. Over the next year, park staff will update the trail and observation deck at Carrick Creek Falls to make it easier for visitors in wheelchairs, families with strollers, and more to access and enjoy this special place. The Waymaker will be an additional asset to increase access for more users to this popular and picturesque location.

“Our connection to the state parks and regional trails is important to us, as is promoting a shared access to the natural beauty offered by green spaces and trails in communities large and small across the state,” said Trent Acker, government and community relations manager for Duke Energy. “We feel it’s important for companies like ours to work alongside our communities to protect, enhance, and promote these tremendous assets of the Palmetto State.”

More information will be shared later this year about how to reserve the Waymaker wheelchair for use at Table Rock.


Expanding Water Bottle Filling Stations in the Pee Dee and Midlands

Also announced this Earth Day was a $45,000 grant from the Duke Energy Foundation to install water bottle refilling stations at 10 South Carolina State Parks in the Pee Dee and Midlands regions. These stations are designed to reduce single-use plastic waste and promote hydration by providing fresh, filtered water to visitors and their pets.

Each water station includes two water fountains, a bottle-filling spout, and a ground-level pet-friendly fountain, offering visitors and their four-legged friends fresh filtered water at the push of a button. The stations are being installed at common visitation areas or trailheads at:


“Water bottle refilling stations are a great amenity for our State Parks, and they support our park operations and improve visitor experience in unique ways,” said Director Parrish. “They give visitors free access to fresh, clean water – helping prevent one of our most common safety concerns, dehydration. They also reduce single-use plastic waste in our parks by encouraging visitors to refill or reuse empty bottles. This helps our parks stay cleaner, which is great for our staff, our visitors, and our natural resources. After the 10 new stations are installed this year, 35 South Carolina State Parks will offer water bottle refilling stations thanks to the support of the Duke Energy Foundation.”


A Legacy of Earth Day Support

This year marks the fourth consecutive year that Duke Energy and South Carolina State Parks have announced major improvements tied to Earth Day. Previous projects include:

Together, these initiatives reflect a strong and growing commitment to inclusivity, sustainability, and outdoor adventure for all.

Ready to plan your next adventure? Visit the Park Finder to explore more.