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New Swan Lake Iris Gardens entrance to include 24-ft swan sculpture

Swan Lake Iris Gardens is getting a new main entrance.

SUMTER, S.C. — Swan Lake Iris Gardens is getting a new main entrance. 

At the center - A 24-foot swan sculpture crafted by world-renowned artist Grainger McKoy, and paid for, in large part, by private grant funding.

Credit: City of Sumter
A miniature sculpture was created to model the 24-foot version to center the new entrance at Swan Lake Iris Gardens in Sumter.

"This is one of those that he's been working on for years, we've been working on with him for the last few years and been a part of that process," Shelley Kile, Sumter Communications and Tourism Director, said. "Seeing it go from a miniature sculpture, about six inches tall, to now over 24-feet tall... it's going to be beautiful."

The main entry area to Swan Lake will be closing on July 29 while construction is underway. The park, however, will remain open.

There are three additional entry gates: One on the north side, by the Gazebo, and two, close to the Heath Pavilion, along Garden Street. 

For safety reasons, the public is asked not to park along Garden Street, but in designated parking areas. 

Credit: City of Sumter
Swan Lake Parking Map

There are two large, bus accessible parking fields at the Heath Pavilion for patrons and two large parking areas on the Gazebo side, including a bus accessible area off Bland Avenue with a pedestrian bridge to provide safe access across Liberty Street. 

The bridge offers the both stairs and elevators for all patrons. 

Construction is anticipated to be completed by January 1, 2020.

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