Simpsonville City Council took decisive steps on two local issues during its September 22 meeting. A 4‑3 vote approved a resolution to revert Gracely Park to its historic name, Simpsonville City Park, while a separate 5‑2 vote advanced a request to install a speed hump on Hudders Creek Way and lower the road’s speed limit to 20 mph.
Restoring the park’s original name
The resolution to rename Gracely Park back to Simpsonville City Park passed by a narrow margin. Mayor Paul Shewmaker and Councilmembers Shannon Williams (Ward 3) and Sherry Roche (Ward 4) voted against the measure, citing concerns about the timing of the change. Councilmember Chad O’Rear (Ward 1) was the lone dissenting vote on a related ordinance amendment.
That amendment, originally approved on September 8, would have removed the retroactive effective date of Jan. 1, 2023, from an earlier ordinance governing the naming of city‑owned or controlled property. City Attorney Daniel Hughes wrote to council recommending the correction, noting that the amendment added a substantive change without prior public notice.
Under the current naming ordinance, no public property may be named after a living person, and a one‑year waiting period is required before honoring a deceased individual. The ordinance does allow naming after donors who contribute land, money, or significant resources, provided the naming condition is written into the donation agreement.
Both the park‑renaming resolution and the naming‑ordinance amendment are slated for final council approval on Oct. 13.
Traffic safety improvements on Hudders Creek Way
In a separate vote, Council voted 5‑2 to advance a request for a speed hump midway on Hudders Creek Way, between Norvin Court and Nakkol Drive, and to set the road’s speed limit at 20 mph. The measure also awaits council action on Oct. 13.
City Administrator Tee Coker reported that 16 speed humps have already been delivered to the public works department and will be installed in the coming weeks, beginning with Jones Avenue and the Poinsettia subdivision. Coker also highlighted that the police department’s Flock‑camera transparency portal and related policies are now available on the city’s website, providing residents with greater visibility into law‑enforcement practices.
What this means for Simpsonville residents
The park‑renaming effort reflects a community desire to preserve local heritage, while the traffic‑calming measures aim to enhance safety for drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians along a busy corridor. By addressing both cultural identity and public‑safety concerns, the council demonstrates its commitment to responsive, family‑focused governance.
Residents can review the proposed ordinance changes and speed‑hump plans at the upcoming Oct. 13 council meeting, where final votes will be taken. The city encourages public participation and will provide meeting details on its official website.
Original reporting: Greenville Journal — read the source article.
