Rawls Creek Park will become an “inclusive playground and interactive art project” with a financial boost of $140,000 approved by the Irmo Town Council at the Jan. 28 meeting.

The upgrades include new landscaping and new playground equipment designed to make the entire area safe and inclusive for young people.

Speaking in support of the project, Stacy Atkinson, a community advocate for the Irmo area, said the park would become a “state-of-the-art customized playground” with the renovations. She said it will “create a sanctuary” for children.

The recreational facility includes a community garden, two dog parks, a skate park, a walking trail and a basketball court, all enclosed within a gated area

The park is located at 1113 Friarsgate Blvd. Park hours are 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. daily.

In other action, the council gave first reading to an ordinance to annex .52 acres located at 6375 St. Andrews Road, and to rezone the site from Neighborhood Commercial to General Commercial. Burgin Roofing is located at the site.

The council also adopted a resolution outlining the town’s updated safety policy. The policy was recommended by the town’s safety committee, which has been researching regulations to make the town safer.

In other action, the council approved a contract with LCK, a real estate development company, to perform project management services for the new town hall project. This clears the way for phase two of the $5 million project.

The council also approved a contract with Arnett-Muldrow for a Wayfinding and Signage Design Plan in the amount of $17,250. The contract would begin the process of designing a comprehensive town-wide signage plan, which would include directional signs. In addition to town signs, it would include banners, wraps and neighborhood signs.

The council approved an extension of the contract with inspection company CC&I to perform permitting inspection services for the town.

The council also approved the 2025 Okra Strut Budget in the amount of $144,000.

Entertainment contracts approved for the Sept. 26-27 event included $6,500 for the Root Doctors and $19,000 for Cowboy Mouth. The council also approved a contract with Custom Audio & Lighting in the amount of $16,000 to provide production services.