Neptune Island Water Park in Hartsville is finally open.
The park’s ribbon cutting was held Monday morning. Dozens of people braved the heat to participate in the grand opening ceremony and to be one of the first people in the park. The water park features water slides, a lazy river, a splash pad, and snack bars. City of Hartsville employees say the water park is one-of-a-kind in the Pee Dee and will attract thousands of people to the area.
“We expect the park to welcome over 90,000 visitors this summer just to our park, so we’re hoping that will extend to the rest of the city in terms of heads in beds and more people visiting our restaurants and other businesses throughout Hartsville,” says Jordan Braddock, the park’s marketing coordinator.
Neptune Island’s opening comes after months of preparation and some controversy.
In February, the city applied for an alcohol permit, which some people opposed. The park was granted the permit and now sells beer and wine, but there are rules for alcohol consumption.
“We’re doing so in designated areas such as ‘Neptune’s Patio,’ which is a small portion of the park. You can buy beer and wine there, but it must stay in that area. We do allow families to go in there, so they can eat together, but the beer has to stay over there or in the private rented cabanas. You cannot walk throughout the park with it,” Braddock also says.
