Friendship recreation area as popular as it gets

Before lakes Keowee and Jocassee, outdoor fun in Oconee often centered on Lake Hartwell and, in particular, a popular day use and boat landing spot in southern Oconee.  To this day, the Friendship recreation area near SC 24 attracts big crowds on hot summer days.  Phil Shirley wants to keep it that way.  As someone who grew up in nearby Seneca, the popularity of the Friendship recreation area is ingrained in him.  That’s why he’d like to see the county Parks, Recreation and Tourism holdings expanded to keep the day-use area open.  The U-S Army Corps of Engineers recently included the day use area on its list for closings.