Parks & Recreation

Built on 3.5 acres of Prestwood Lake shoreline donated to the City of Hartsville by J.J. Lawton of the Carolina Fiber Company, Lawton Park has many offerings including tennis courts, a boardwalk and pier, two picnic shelters, playgrounds and restrooms.

Lawton Park Pavilion

The historic Pavilion at Lawton Park is frequently rented for meetings, weddings, and other events. Built in 1938 by the City of Hartsville with funding from the Works Progress Administration, the Colonial Revival structure is an excellent example of a New Deal-era public recreation facility, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The City undertook a major renovation of the facility in 2007-08.

The facility features a caterer's kitchen, restrooms, and a balcony overlooking Prestwood Lake. There is also a lakeside arch located on the grounds perfect for wedding ceremonies.

Business Hours
Sun-Sat: Dawn to Dusk
The tennis courts are lit.

For questions about renting the Pavilion, contact us at Crystal.Tyner@Hartsvillesc.gov or 843.858.9232

Location and Contact

Visit our beautiful park, playground, boardwalk, and pavilion:

Lawton Park
716 Prestwood Dr
Hartsville SC 29550

For rentals, contact 843.917.0806 or email specialevents@hartsvillesc.gov.

Event Scheduling

Interested in booking Lawton Park for your next event? For more information please contact our Special Events Coordinator:

Crystal Tyner
 crystal.tyner@hartsvillesc.gov
 843.917.0806

147 West Carolina
Hartsville SC 29550

Rental Documents

• Lawton Park Rental Agreement.
• Tenant User Liability Policy.
• The Pavilion Upstairs Layout.
• The Pavilion Downstairs Layout.

History of the Park

The Pavilion at Lawton Park was built in 1938 by the City of Hartsville using funds from the Works Progress Administration (WPA), a United States government agency established by President Franklin Roosevelt and the New Deal. The land was donated by J.J. Lawton. In 2008 Hartsville hosted a grand reopening to celebrate the completion of a $500,000 project to renovate the Pavilion and improve the park grounds. The Pavilion is completely updated with central heating and air, a caterer's kitchen, elevator, restrooms and the addition of an upstairs patio balcony, overlooking the lake. The Southern-style of the Pavilion give a charm to the building not easily duplicated.

Lawton Park on the National Register of Historic Places

Additional Information

Lawton Park on beautiful Prestwood Lake in Hartsville has free tennis courts that are open to the public.

Ample parking is located next to the courts. Lawton Park has a lovely covered picnic table area, a playground with swings for the little ones, and a boardwalk for birdwatching or fishing. The lovely Pavilion may be rented for meetings, seminars, conferences, and weddings.