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Tag: Parks

  • Enjoy the Perfect Park Day at Cleveland Park in Spartanburg, SC

    Enjoy the Perfect Park Day at Cleveland Park in Spartanburg, SC

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    Have you visited Cleveland Park in Spartanburg, SC? This gorgeous, heavily shaded park is located just off Asheville Highway and is the perfect place to spend the day with your family. This park has everything, from a large duck pond spotted with several species of bird, to an expansive playground. There is something new to experience with each visit. The park is handicap accessible, so everyone can enjoy the park without feeling restricted. So, grab your picnic basket and head to Spartanburg for a lovely day at Cleveland Park!

    Cleveland Park Spartanburg, SC
    Cleveland Park in Spartanburg, SC

    The “Great Adventure” Playground

    The nature-themed play area features several towering structures, climbing towers, swing sets, and wiggly bridges. The entire play area is atop rubberized flooring to provide a safe place for children to run and play. The Tot Lot,  recommended for ages 2-5,  has an adorable sandbox with a metal digger to let your toddler scoop and pour to their heart’s content. There are also structures to climb that are the perfect size for younger children. The tot area has bucket swings, a xylophone, and monkey bars, perfect for the adventurous toddler in your family.

    Cleveland Park Spartanburg, SC
    Tot Lot at Cleveland Park in Spartanburg, SC

    The largest area, The Great Adventure zone, features a climbing wall, towering structures to climb, and caves underneath to escape the heat and let your imagination run wild! Several slides, tunnels, and rope bridges form the bulk of the park. Also, there is an exciting spinning roundabout that will have your kid giggling uncontrollably (while giving your arms a workout).

    A park would not be complete without swings, and this section has several swings and a tire swing! The play area is in direct sun, so be sure to pack sunscreen and water during the summer months to keep your kids happy and safe while they spend their day playing. There is a picnic table area in the shade where parents can relax while their children play, or families can enjoy lunch during their visit. 

    Cleveland Park Spartanburg, SC
    Great Adventure zone at Cleveland Park in Spartanburg, SC

    The Surrounding Park

    Paved walking paths weaving through towering shade trees elevate the park’s beauty. Along these paths, you will find gazebos, a picturesque bridge, a large pond with several bird species, restrooms, and several other standout features. Be sure to bring your frozen peas and healthy snacks to feed the ducks!

    In addition, there are plenty of spots throughout the park to have a picnic in the grass, with more formal facilities available for rent, and picnic tables spotted throughout the entire park. If you are looking to work out during your walk, you can locate outdoor fitness equipment throughout the park. Looking to host a large event? No problem!

    There is a gorgeous event rental space at the John B. Cleveland Event Center as well. Cleveland Park has so much to offer for children, families, and anyone looking to get out and enjoy the beauty of Spartanburg.

    Cleveland Park Spartanburg, SC
    Pond at Cleveland Park in Spartanburg, SC

    Plan Your Trip to Cleveland Park

    141 North Cleveland Park Drive
    Spartanburg, SC 29303
    864.562.4150

    Has your family visited Cleveland Park in Spartanburg?

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    Erin Gorges

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  • City Park Day celebrates the ‘People’s Park’

    City Park Day celebrates the ‘People’s Park’

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    If you ask Georgia Garnsey where her favorite place is in Denver, with no hesitation, she’d say City Park.

    Of course, she’s not alone. City Park isn’t dubbed the “People’s Park” for no reason.

    On Friday, May 31, you can join Garnsey and the neighborhood in honoring the 142-year-old treasure. City Park Day will celebrate the park and the community with a free evening event featuring music, a sweet treat and some Victorian-era fair.

    “City Park is a wonder,” Garnsey said. “Every year I learn more and more about the park and it continues to open its wonders to me.”

    But why is the park so important in the fabric of Denver’s history?

    It all started in 1882, Garnsey said.

    (By the way, her City Park fan credentials: She’s lived a few blocks from the park for over 50 years and is the president of the neighborhood group, City Park Friends and Neighbors.).

    Nearly 25 years after Denver was founded, and as immigrants began to settle in the dry, dusted desert area permanently, city leaders said some beautification was needed.

    Georgia Garnsey, part of the In The Weeds adopt-a-flowerbed crew, eradicates unwanted species from Ida’s Rock Garden in City Park. May 24, 2024.
    Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite

    “These people who had founded a city that was just sort of a way station for prospectors had fallen in love with their city and decided it was gonna be the Paris of the West and that it had to have a park,” Garnsey said.

    City leaders were also inspired by the ideas of Frederick Law Olmsted, a landscape architect and designer of New York’s Central Park, who believed that parks and greenspaces were a democratic right for all Americans. Parks should be free, accessible to all and used as a space for connection.

    So, Denver’s first park, Curtis Park, was built in 1868, establishing Denver’s parkway system.

    City Park Lake, October 29, 2021.
    Kyle Harris/Denverite

    But leaders wanted something bigger

    Richard Sopris, Denver’s 15th mayor and its first parks commissioner, and other civic leaders tossed around the idea of creating two large parks on the east and west sides of Denver connected by a “connected by a grand tree-lined boulevard,” according to History Colorado.

    As originally planned, that boulevard would’ve been Colfax Avenue and the parks would’ve been City Park in the east and Sloan’s Lake in the west.

    But when City Council approved the purchase of the 320-acre plot that would become City Park in 1882, they also nixed the development of the westside park.

    The In The Weeds adopt-a-flowerbed crew eradicates unwanted species from Ida’s Rock Garden in City Park. May 24, 2024.
    Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite

    Henry Meryweather and Walter Graves designed after Central Park, with “looping carriageways and walking lanes, a lake, and a preference for picturesque vistas across meadows or water,” according to History Colorado.

    “They wanted it to be pastoral, meadow-like for people to feel they were lost in the country,” Garnsey said. “City Park was the first park that the city invested in and decided that they had to have this … The whole city got behind developing this park. Schoolchildren would [eventually] take the trolleys at 17th and York and plant trees on Arbor Day. There were terrible weeds, so Sopris hired a sheep herder to come and let his sheep eat the weeds. It was quite a project and they loved it”

    From there, City Park has only improved

    Reinhard Schuetze, the city’s first landscape architect, was especially a help.

    Ferril Lake — along with the promenade, pavilion and bandstand — was built in the late 1890s.

    The prismatic electric fountain, one of the country’s first electric fountains, was installed nearby to flow in tune with the local bands.

    Schuetze also designed the Esplanade, creating a pathway from the city to the park.

    Cultural institutions also arrived. The Denver Zoo, the Denver Museum of Nature & Science (previously the Colorado Museum of Natural History) and the Denver Botanic Gardens were built in 1896, 1908 and 1953, respectively.

    Armenian poppies in Ida’s City Park Rock Garden.
    Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite
    Leslie Chomic eradicates unwanted species from the Rock Garden.
    Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite

    In recent years, the park has received a new playground and expansions to all the cultural institutions. (Still no basketball courts, though.)

    “I love the diversity. I love that you meet people from all walks of life and you really meet them because people stop and talk,” Garnsey said. “I love how big it is. People have complained about that, that they get lost in the park. But I love that it’s a big meadow with different groves and different sections and different flower beds and nooks and crannies that you discover.”

    Hence, City Park Day

    Garnsey said the nearby neighborhood groups are reviving a tradition started by former Councilmember Carla Madison. She used to host ice cream socials and was founder of the City Park Festival of the Arts.

    City Park Day is Friday, May 31, from 5-8 p.m. at the Pavilion. Free ice cream will be served by Sweet Cooie’s and live music by the Denver Municipal Band.

    Sunset over Ferril Lake in City Park. Sept. 25, 2020.
    Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite

    Face painters will be on-site for the kids, as well as exhibits from the museum and the zoo. And a ton of neighborhood groups will host informational tables for folks interested in learning more about the nearby communities, Garnsey said.

    But the real fun will be with the Victorian Society of Colorado. A few of their participants will be roaming around in full Victorian-era garb, and they’ll want you to join in on the fun.

    “It’ll be the height of Victorian fashion,” Garnsey said.

    Canada geese float on Ferril Lake at City Park before dawn, July 1, 2019. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)

    More than just history

    While the park’s history is important, Garnsey said the day is more about celebrating the park itself and what it means, or could mean, to Denverites.

    City Park is a community waiting to be explored and joined, from the weddings to quinceaneras, the random eagle sightings to the musicians who show up to play,

    City Park Friends hosts tours of the park, Garnsey said, as well as volunteering opportunities to keep the park amazing, such as the adopt-a-flowerbed.

    But really, just head to the park and take in the views. Those are free, and made for just that.

    “It’s the Crown Jewel, truly,” Garnsey said. “We see something different every time we’re in City Park. We’re always entertained. But the democratic value of parks is what’s most important to me. That it’s free and everyone is welcome there to be who they are and to experience it the way they want to.”

    The In The Weeds adopt-a-flowerbed crew in Ida’s City Park Rock Garden. May 24, 2024.
    Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite

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  • Skaters are stoked that Sweden is bringing back the old LOVE Park

    Skaters are stoked that Sweden is bringing back the old LOVE Park

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    When LOVE Park was renovated between 2016 and 2018, skaters mourned the loss of the ledges, steps and planters that made it the perfect place to shred. But the old skating destination is now getting a second life across the Atlantic in Sweden.

    MORE: More than 90 splash pads and sprinklers open across the city

    The city of Malmö, located along the southern coast of the country, will open a re-created version of the park on Saturday. LOVE Malmö was constructed with granite slabs and ledges, a lamppost and two trash cans salvaged from the Philadelphia site and designed according to the original 1965 blueprints by Edmund Bacon and Vincent Kling. The project is the culmination of a years-long collaboration between the two cities, as well as Skate Philly and Bryggeriet, Malmö’s skateboarding association.

    According to the Swedish city’s officials, skateboarders from Philadelphia have already arrived in Malmö to be the first to skate the reconstruction. 

    The old LOVE Park was a beloved spot for skateboarders around the world, despite the city ban on skating there. It inspired photography books and even appeared in “Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater” — with the famous Robert Indiana LOVE sculpture altered to spell “THPS.” 

    Philly’s redesign significantly flattened the space, removing the granite tiers and edges that appealed to skaters. Just before the city began construction on the new park in February 2016, Mayor Jim Kenney temporarily lifted the ban on skateboarding to give the community one last chance to grind.

    LOVE Malmö will occupy a section of the city square, making it not quite a skatepark but “part of the Malmö streetscape,” according to a release. Its opening weekend coincides with the arrival of a skateable sculpture by South Korean artist Koo Jeong A at the Malmö Konsthall art museum.

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    Kristin Hunt

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  • Denver has one of the country’s top 15 park systems, while Aurora and Colorado Springs drop in rankings

    Denver has one of the country’s top 15 park systems, while Aurora and Colorado Springs drop in rankings

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    Sports for all ages at University Hills’ Observatory Park. April 12, 2024.

    Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite

    Denver has the best parks system of any large Colorado city, according to a new national ranking of the country’s 100 biggest cities by the Trust for Public Land, a parks advocacy group. 

    Nationwide, the city was rated as having the thirteenth-best system. 

    “The City of Denver is making a significant investment in the quality of life of its residents, parks and open space,” explained Jim Petterson, the Mountain West Region Vice President of the Trust for Public Land. 

    So what does the rating measure, anyhow? 

    The rating measures how close residents are to a park, how much cities spend on their park systems per resident, park acreage, and equitable access between various communities in the city.  

    In Denver, a whopping 93 percent of the public lives within a 10-minute walk to a park. 

    Denver spends $197 per resident each year on parks, far higher than the national average of $124. 

    Access between racial groups is fairly equitable, according to Petterson, though not everything is rosy in Denver. 

    Denver ranks fairly low in terms of the percentage of the city comprised of parks.

    “That’s a tough thing to solve for, because Denver doesn’t have many large parcels of land left,” Petterson said. “But there are still opportunities to create new parks where they’re needed most.”

    How are other cities doing? 

    Aurora fell six places in the national rankings to 46th best, and Colorado Springs dropped four places to 55th best. 

    In Aurora, 90 percent of residents live within a 10-minute walk of a park, and the city spends $142 per resident annually on parks.  

    As for Colorado Springs, 77 percent of residents have a park within a 10-minute walk, and the city spends $116 per resident each year on parks.

    Boise, ID has the best dog parks; Saint Paul, MN has the best basketball courts; and Las Vegas has the best playgrounds. 

    Nationwide, Washington D.C., where 24 percent of the land is reserved for parks, continues to enjoy the best parks system in the country, followed by Minneapolis, Saint Paul and Irvine. 

    Why do parks matter?

    “Connections to nature are incredibly good for one’s health and mental health,” Petterson said. “In fact, if parks were a pill, everybody would have a prescription and be taking it every day.”

    Parks also give people a space to come together. People who live near parks are more likely to approve of their local government, parks departments and police. 

    “In a city like Denver, in the top quarter of ParkScore rankings, residents are about 60 percent more likely to volunteer than in lower ranking cities and 26 percent more likely to form friendships with people from different social economic groups,” Petterson said. 

    “So what this really is telling us,” he added, “is that in this era, where there’s such an epidemic of loneliness and isolation, parks are a useful tool to get people outdoors, connecting with their neighbors, their communities, and making relationships across the socio-economic spectrum.”

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  • Enjoy This Playground at Freetown Community Center!

    Enjoy This Playground at Freetown Community Center!

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    Looking for a playground near West Greenville? The playground at Freetown Community Center might be just the right fit. Featuring two play structures in the fenced playground, Kidding Around Contributor India Menon found Freetown Community Center’s playground a great place to spend some family time. Find out all about what this park has to offer!

    Whenever someone asks me why Greenville is a great place
    to raise a family, I am quick to mention its fabulous parks and playgrounds. A
    recent visit to Freetown Community Center, one of 39 parks in the city of
    Greenville, reinforces this point.

    On a Saturday afternoon, my family of four, including a 4-year old and 18-month old, found itself with a few hours to spare and cooperative weather. To the park at Freetown Community Center we went!

    unity park greenville, sc

    We have them all the Greenville, SC area parks and playgrounds listed right here in our Upstate Park Guide. Check it out to sort park listings by the amenities, features, and location you need.

    Why is it Called Freetown?

    Just a stone’s throw from The Village of West Greenville, Freetown Community Center is nestled in residential Freetown*. Rich in history this residential area was established in the late 19th century. Plots of land were sold to freed slaves, making Freetown one of the first Greenville communities in which freed slaves could own land and their own home. It is one of Greenville’s oldest subdivisions. (Fun fact: Many of the streets in Freetown are named for past residents!)

    *To read more about the history of Freetown, there is an informative pamphlet published by the Greenville County Redevelopment Authority.

    Playground at Freetown Community Center

    On a sunny Saturday afternoon, there was plenty of parking in the Freetown Community Center parking lot and there were only two other families on the playground. And what a cool playground it is!

    The vibrant orange and green equipment was just installed within the past few years and still seems brand new. The park’s two big play structures have a variety of elements that are designed for kids between the ages of 2 all the way up to 12. There are several really neat interactive features, including something called a neutron spinner that my 4-year old really enjoyed. Between the two structures there are 9 slides. There are also two each of baby swings, regular swings, and inclusive swings. The playground equipment was designed with accessibility in mind and the playground is wheelchair accessible.

    Freetown Community Center Playground

    Picnics and Amenities at Freetown Community Center Park

    There are three picnic tables in the playground area and two more near the community center. While there are a few benches in the playground area, more seasoned Freetown patrons bring folding chairs, so they can seek out shade. A few trees provide shade along the perimeter of this playground. Gratefully for those of us with kids who are prone to wander, the playground is fenced.

    The other families using the park mentioned they enjoy the
    playground because it is clean and rarely crowded.

    Bathroom access at Freetown Community Center is limited to the community center’s open hours (Mondays – Wednesdays 10 am – 6 pm, Thursday & Fridays, 2-6 pm). A staff member at the Center mentioned that if the door is locked during these hours, just knock or call the number listed on the door. If you ride your bike to the playground, there are several bike racks available. In addition to the playground, Freetown Community Center has a modest athletic field and basketball court outside. My family also looks forward to returning to see the progress on the community garden, which was being prepped for planting when we visited.

    Freetown Community Playground

    Freetown Community Center Park is located at 200 Alice Ave, Greenville, SC 29611.

    Have you visited the park at Freetown Community Center?

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    India Menon

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  • Cleveland to Debut Parks and Rec Master Plan This Week

    Cleveland to Debut Parks and Rec Master Plan This Week

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    click to enlarge

    Mark Oprea

    Public Square’s greenspace last year.

    After five months of drafting, the city will be releasing its master plan for the future of Cleveland’s parks this week.

    Throughout four days of open houses, from May 14 to May 17, Clevelanders will have a chance to laud or critique the long series of recommendations the city’s hired consultant, the Philadelphia-based OLIN, have made for Cleveland’s 179 parks and recreation areas.

    That master plan debut comes after the city and OLIN paired up to survey some 1,500 city residents, which revealed some high hopes for expansion in the next 15 years, along with some glaring criticisms: Roughly 60 percent of those surveyed don’t believe that Cleveland’s parks are in good condition. Eighty percent felt similarly about its rec centers. Many don’t feel safe in either.

    “Our parks and public spaces belong to the residents,” James DeRosa, the director of the Mayor’s Office of Capital Projects, said in a press release “and we are committed to making sure these spaces meet the community’s needs.”

    A huge chunk of the plan debuted this week will be centered on MOCAP’s best strategy to fund what would be a pricey overall.

    If the city were to focus on deficits discovered by Cleveland’s system’s rating on ParkScore—scoring 26th in the country—there could be, in theory, millions spent on improving playgrounds, installing permanent restrooms and adding long-missing dog parks and splash pads to the mix. And more trails, which was a concern for 41 percent of those surveyed.

    And, to amend another long-running critique from two-fifths of survey takers: fix up and keep open the city’s 40 pools.

    As Cleveland’s pursuit of beautifying its downtown core and surrounding neighborhoods comes further into view, it’s obvious that a parks master plan would fit snuggly alongside promised development on the horizon, from the Irishtown Bend Park to a half dozen miles of tree-lined cycle tracks to pop up near decade’s end.

    Clevelanders can attend these feedback sessions, which run from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., with the following dates and locations:

    • Michael Zone Neighborhood Resource & Recreation Center, 6301 Lorain Ave., on Tuesday, May 14
    • Collinwood Neighborhood Resource & Recreation Center, 16300 Lakeshore Blvd., on Wednesday, May 15
    • Estabrook Neighborhood Resource & Recreation Center, 4125 Fulton Road, on Thursday, May 16
    • Lonnie Burten Neighborhood Resource & Recreation Center, 2511 E. 46th Street, on Friday, May 17

    There will also be two pop-up sessions with different times:

    • Wednesday, May 15 – Pop-Up at Senior Day at Public Auditorium (500 Lakeside Ave.), 10 a.m. to noon
    • Monday, May 20 – Pop-Up at Kerruish Park (17200 Tarkington Ave.) with The Trust for Public Land and the Cleveland Parks & Greenspace Coalition, 3 to 6 p.m.

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    Mark Oprea

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  • Playgrounds, a splashpad, and green space dominate the new Unity Park

    Playgrounds, a splashpad, and green space dominate the new Unity Park

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    Ready to visit Unity Park in Greenville, SC? This gorgeous park has everything families will love, with wide-open spaces, playgrounds, shelters, paved trails, and of course, the splash pad. There is even a wetland preserve you can explore. Find out why we love this park, and make a plan for your day park day to visit Unity Park.

    The Playgrounds at Unity Park

    There are three playgrounds at Unity Park: a natural play area with lots of climbing apparatuses, a turf playground with large hills for more climbing, slides, and swings, and a tot play area with a music garden and equipment perfect for the smaller ages.

    The Betty and Judd Farr Music Garden which consists of instruments kids can use to create their own music is located inside the Donovan Playground, the toddler area that has all-in-one play structures with swings, slides, and teeter-totters. The Ann Watson Trotter Memorial Garden is a large area that includes swings, natural play elements, a climbing wall, and a storytelling circle. And the playground next to that one is the TD SYNNEX Playground, which has all the huge climbing elements and lookout towers.

    View of Unity Park play area

    Fencing is around all playgrounds but there are no gates so parents need to be aware of where their kids are wandering off to. There is plenty of seating throughout all the playgrounds and really, parents may want to get in there and play with their kids because everything is so fun!

    The playgrounds are set on two acres, making the space enormous. There is a lot of room to run around, get out energy, and just enjoy being a kid. The playgrounds and splash pad together are one of, if not the, largest playgrounds in Greenville. Hours for the playground are dawn to dusk.

    View of Unity Park atop one of the playstructures, Greenville, SC

    The Greenville Water Splash Pad at Unity Park

    Let’s get to the good stuff! The Greenville Water Splash Pad is set up with several shaded benches and is stationed right next to the toddler playground. The splash pad has two sections – one for smaller kids with shorter water spouts and then another area for bigger kids, where the water can shoot up to nine feet high.

    Unity Park Splashpad

    The splash pad is located in between the toddler play area and the bigger kid playground and next to the public restrooms. It’s really in a great place for parents to be able to watch the kids no matter where they want to play. There are large umbrellas along the sitting areas of the splash pad, so if you’re lucky enough to grab a spot, you’ll be able to sit and enjoy for a while.

    The splash pad will be open seasonally May 1st, 2024 – October.

    The Michelin Green

    Unity Park has a ton of open green space on the Michelin Green, which is perfect for running around, having a picnic, or just relaxing in a beautiful spot. I can easily imagine lots of people out there reading a book while laying on a blanket and enjoying the beauty of the park.

    Paved paths at Unity Park in Greenville, South Carolina

    There are beautifully-constructed shelters along the Green as well that are available for rent. It is in this open space where families can gather for special events, such as the Fireworks on the Fourth at Unity Park (more on that below). Contact Unity Park to rent out the picnic shelters.

    The Prisma Health Welcome Center

    Close to The Commons is the Prisma Health Welcome Center, which has a lactation room, a self-service first aid station, restrooms, a rotating art display, and a history wall. There is a big wraparound deck where people can sit at tables and enjoy the view, conduct business meetings, and just watch their kids play in the open space below.

    The Welcome Center is available to rent out as well and is an excellent space for corporate meetings and events.

    Behind-The-Scenes Magic: Creating the Park

    The dust has settled over the last two years, and Unity Park has become a staple for many family’s park outings and daily lives. While the park is beautiful on the outside, so much work went into it behind the scenes that truly make the space something special.

    Slide at the Unity Park Playground

    Creating the playgrounds

    At the large playground there are several big dirt mounds that are meant for climbing and rolling down. They were covered in spraycrete and then wrapped in cushioning. The turf is super bouncy as well, making for a pretty soft surface.

    The other surfaces, including poured-in-place rubber and synthetic turf, were all thoughtfully selected to provide protection for kids as they naturally fall or take a tumble. The surfaces are also ADA-accessible, are is the route that leads kids up to the lookout tower, where you get an awesome view of the park.

    Ecology in Mind

    The management of the Reedy River was also a key construction aspect of Unity Park. Engineers and landscape architects worked together to reduce the risk of flooding and improve water quality by creating flat tables with specially selected trees, plants, and flowers. This enables the area to be able to absorb more of the river in a possible flood situation – plus it looks pretty! There is also a state-of-the-art drainage system in place to aid in this project.

    Auro Bridge at Unity Park

    You’ll get a great view of the new Auro Bridge if you head down to the river to check out the pretty flowers and other fauna on the river table.

    The Wetlands at Unity Park

    The wetlands opened to the public in May 2023 and is beautiful. There are low-impact boardwalks, a beautiful outdoor classroom sponsored by Duke Energy, and even a canopy with windchimes that is just so cool.

    Structure at the Unity Park wetland preserve

    The eight acres of wetlands mark the original path of Reedy Reedy before it was diverted in 1933 as a Depression-era project by city engineers. The boardwalk is ADA-accessible and both kids and adults can go on a scavenger hunt throughout the wetlands to find different animals and plants that are listed on various kiosks on the boardwalk.

    The wetlands entrance is at the gravel parking lot, which is across from the big parking lot at the Commons. You can walk there from the playground as well and enjoy the beautiful park in Greenville!

    Parking

    The main entrance to Unity Park is off Hudson Street and onto Welborn Street and into the Commons. You can park there or in another lot off Meadow Street, which will get you pretty close to the Commons as well. You just have to walk across a small bridge and then the playgrounds will be to the left.

    Current map of Unity Park- 2024.
    Courtesy of Unity Park: Map of Unity Park

    Unity Park will also be accessible via the Greenville Trolley system. Additionally, you can ride bikes from the Children’s Garden at Linky Park or park in several of the paid parking lots near there and walk the quarter-mile on the Swamp Rabbit Trail over to the park.

    There are also 41 parking spots along the edge of the playgrounds on Welborn Street.

    Fireworks on the Fourth at Unity Park

    Greenville’s big fireworks display, Fireworks on the Fourth at Unity Park, moved to Unity Park in July 2022. The 2024 fireworks display at Unity Park will be on July 4, 2024 around 9:30 pm. Live music and food trucks will be at the park from 6-9 pm. It is not a festival so no alcohol will be served and pets are not allowed at any public event at the park, including this one. The space is perfect for bringing a picnic and letting the kids get out their energy before the big show.

    You can bring coolers, chairs, blankets, and food but alcohol is not allowed.

    Tips on Visiting

    • Your best bet is to get to Unity Park early in the day, especially in the summer when it’s hot. It’s a very popular park and while there is a lot of parking, it fills up.
    • If you have more than one kid, it may be helpful to have them wear bright clothing, a bright hat, or some other easily identifiable clothing because the hills on the main playground can obscure the vision of parents trying to keep track of their kids.
    • Know that none of the play areas are fully enclosed. There are fences around but none go all the way around each play area so kids can escape if not being watched carefully.
    • Have kids wear water shoes at the splash area. It does get slick and it is concrete so to minimize instances of falling or scratches on feet, water shoes are good idea.

    Unity Park is open 5 am – 11 pm daily. The playground is open dawn to dusk and the splash pad is open on Monday from 1 – sunset and Tuesday – Sunday from 9 am – sunset. There is no charge to enter the park, playgrounds, or splash pad. Dogs are allowed on leash.

    Unity Park
    320 S. Hudson Street, Greenville

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    Huge Playground and Splash Pad at Unity Park in Greenville, SC


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    Kristina Hernandez

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  • Play in the sand and sun at Lake Keowee for just $5

    Play in the sand and sun at Lake Keowee for just $5

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    If you need a fun day trip to a little park on the shores of Lake Keowee, Mile Creek Park in Pickens, SC is a great option. If you’re looking for a simple little park with a small beach and access to crystal-clear water on a super hot day. That’s what Mile Creek Park is like. Kidding Around’s Kristina reviews it for us.

    Check out our list of 23+ awesome sandy mountain beaches near Greenville, SC to explore with your family while enjoying gorgeous views, cool mountain water, and some fun in the sun!

    Perfect Location + Things to Do at Mile Creek County Park

    I see parents asking for fun places to swim with their kids in the Upstate and this is a fantastic option. Located on the shores of Lake Keowee, a huge man-made lake that spans several small towns in the Upstate, it has lots of amenities that make it easy for families to spend a day out there.

    The beach at Mile Creek Park in Pickens, SC

    Watch! Here’s What Mile Creek County Park Looks Like

    Swimming Area and Playground

    The sandy beach is small and easily manageable with kids. The swimming area is warm and shallow. There’s a playground with slides and swings right next to the beach if your kids need something else to do besides play in the water.

    There is a big shelter up the hill from the beach plus charcoal grills scattered around the park. Clean bathrooms are a short walk from the playground and thankfully have a spout outside to clean the sand off your shoes, feet, and water toys.

    Boating and Fishing

    If you’ve got a boat, there are three boat ramps available at Mile Creek. You will see fishermen fishing off boats not too far from shore.

    I have a couple of inflatable kayaks we used the day we went and put in right at the beach. We paddled to the island directly across from Mile Creek Park and down the small coves on either side of the park. It was awesome.

    We saw plenty of people fishing from their boats as well if that’s something you enjoy doing with your kids. Be sure to have your South Carolina fishing license.

    Sand Volleyball and Basketball Courts

    The park also has a volleyball sand court and basketball court that you can play at before or after a swim. The basketball court is covered, so it’s a great way to get out of the sun for a little while.

    Swimming area at Mile Creek Park at Lake Keowee in Pickens, South Carolina

    Camping & Cabins

    If you love to camp, there are plenty of tent sites available. Camping near water is such a fun family activity in warmer weather since entertainment is right outside your tent. Of course, this can be a source of anxiety if your kids can’t swim yet so consider that before making reservations.

    The website for the park states that kayak rentals are available for cabin and campground users but you’ll have to contact the park to make those arrangements.

    There are also 10 lake-front rental cabins with boat ramp access. There is a tiny beach on the lake by the cabins as well. And 69 campsites are at the park as well with both waterfront and non-waterfront locations. These campsites are for RV camping, boat in camping, and there are two tent camping spots with electric. The campsite has 3 bathhouses serving overnight campers, so you will have bathroom access.

    Cabins can fit up to four people, with some cabins being able to hold an additional four children. Cabins start around $115 per night. Campsites start at $20 per night. See available campsites at Mile Creek Park at this link.

    Fees + Our Tips for Visiting Mile Creek Park

    Seems like everyone wants to be outside nowadays and are taking to parks, lakes, and campsites to fulfill their outdoorsy dreams. This is great. However, it means that you can’t get to an awesome park at Noon or 1 pm on a weekend and expect to get in and find parking. Get here early! It will ensure you are able to enter the park and spend a great day there.

    Arrive Early!

    On my most recent trip, I got to Mile Creek Park at 9 am on a Sunday and had the place to ourselves besides a few boaters getting in the water. By Noon, it looked like all the parking lots were full. I think there are at least three parking lots at Mile Creek. It’s not a huge place so it can fill quickly, especially on those brutally hot summer days.

    Park and playground area at Mile Creek Park in Pickens, South Carolina

    Bring $5 for Parking

    There isn’t admission cost per se but there is a parking fee of $5 per car. If you plan to visit more frequently or live close by, we recommend purchasing the annual pass for $35 per car. The booth wasn’t manned the day we were there and thankfully I had $5 cash to put in the envelope and drop it in the box. Be prepared with exact change just in case.

    Plan Ahead and Bring a Picnic

    You can also rent the picnic shelter for $55 for the entire day, perfect for a family gathering!

    I highly recommend this fun park and being that it’s only an hour from Greenville, it makes for an easy and fun day trip. We brought lunch, blow-up tubes, water, towels, and our inflatable kayaks and spent all day there!

    Have you been to Mile Creek Park in Pickens, SC?

    Mile Creek County Park
    757 Keowee Baptist Church Road, Six Mile, SC

    Day trip idea for Pickens, SC

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    Kristina Hernandez

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  • 5 Lovely Outdoor Places in Spartanburg

    5 Lovely Outdoor Places in Spartanburg

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    Are you looking for the perfect outdoor space in Spartanburg? We gathered together our 5 favorite spots to enjoy nature with our children. Our list includes a garden, a park with a gazebo, and a park that overlooks a lake.

    Looking for more fun things to do in Spartanburg?

    Be sure to check out our Spartanburg guide!

    It may be the four true seasons Spartanburg has to offer, but my family loves to spend outdoors together. We feel fortunate to live in a place with so many great outdoor activities, beautiful scenery, and great temperatures. Now that Spring has truly arrived, we are spending more and more time outside.

    No matter what part of Spartanburg County you live in, you will find beautiful outdoor spaces for your family to explore. Whether it is a park, a lake, a garden, or a boisterous downtown restaurant, there is something outdoors for everyone. For even more fun ideas of things to do outside see our giant list of things to do outside in Spartanburg.

    outdoor spaces in Spartanburg Hatcher Gardens

    Cleveland Park

    Located right in the center of Spartanburg is Cleveland Park. This park is a quiet gem in the middle of the city with a lake, swings, a playground, and walking trails. There is plenty of spaces for picnics and room for kids to roam and explore. In addition to the accessible playground, the park is a beautiful setting. So much so that it is frequently used for special events and weddings.

    141 N. Cleveland Park Dr.
    Spartanburg, SC 29303

    Admission: Free

    Hatcher Garden & Woodland Preserve

    We love Hatcher Garden & Woodlawn Preserve on the Westside of Spartanburg. Located off John B. White Sr. Boulevard, you might have even passed it without realizing it was there. If so, you have been missing out! This is a free public garden, once again, right in the middle of Spartanburg – you might even say “hidden.” The gardens have beautiful trails to explore with waterfalls, flowers, butterflies, observation decks and more.

    820 John B. White Sr. Blvd.
    Spartanburg, SC 29304

    Admission: Free

    Anchor Park at Lake Bowen

    There are several wonderful lakes to visit around Spartanburg County, but even if you do not own a boat, Lake Bowen’s Anchor Park is a welcoming outdoor space in North Spartanburg. With an excellent enclosed playground that overlooks the lake, you can enjoy great views while your kids run free. Plus, there are picnic tables and grills available. It is also a great spot to find the geese, so be prepared to get up close and personal with some feathered friends as you walk around the park.

    8515 Hwy 9
    Inman, SC 29349

    Admission: Free

    Croft State Park

    Did you know that Spartanburg is home to one of the largest South Carolina State Parks? Croft State Park, on the Eastside of Spartanburg, is only five minutes from downtown. This state park is huge! It has miles of trails for exploring whether by foot, bike, or horse! Really – it even has equestrian trails.

    In addition to all the outdoor trails to explore, there is also a huge lake for fishing and other water activities. Plus, families can extend their visits by camping on site. The park also hosts events regularly like the monthly Music in the Woods event. It is free for those under five years of age and only $3 for adults and $1 for children 6-15 years old.

    450 Croft State Park Rd
    Spartanburg, SC 29302

    Admission: $3 for adults | $1 for children 6-15 | Free for 5 and under

    Cottonwood Trail

    Cottonwood Trail is a nature preserve that protects a wonderful outdoor space near downtown Spartanburg. Recognized as an “urban green space,” Cottonwood Trail allows visitors to spend time outdoors while remaining close to the city.

    The trail is clearly marked and is easy for even the littlest hikers, and they will love trekking across the various footbridges. While on the trail, you should expect to see plenty of wooded areas and wildlife, but you should also spend some time visiting the other connected trails that are part of the preserve, such as the Wetlands Trail.

    Accessed off Beechwood Drive (off Fernwood Drive)
    Spartanburg, SC 29307

    Admission: Free

    For those looking for other outdoor spaces in Spartanburg, don’t forget that Downtown Spartanburg also offers plenty of outdoor dining options, as well as Sparkle City Mini Putt.

    What’s your favorite outdoor location in Spartanburg?

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    Jennifer Curry

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  • Tire Out The Kids at The Best Playgrounds in Spartanburg!

    Tire Out The Kids at The Best Playgrounds in Spartanburg!

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    Ready to get outside and play? These playgrounds in Spartanburg, SC are perfect for playtime! You’ve read about the wonderful playgrounds that Spartanburg and the surrounding area have, but after a long winter of planning indoor activities, here is a reminder of some of the best playgrounds in Spartanburg you can revisit, or check out for the first time.

    Looking for more great parks in Spartanburg? Don’t miss our Upstate, SC Park Guide.

    Spartanburg Parks your kids will love

    Cleveland Park

    Cleveland Park
    Cleveland Park

    Holy playground, Batman! Being one of the largest parks and playgrounds in Spartanburg, SC, Cleveland Park, is one you won’t want to miss. Located at 141 N. Cleveland Park Drive in Spartanburg, this park holds a massive playground that the grown-ups might even want to check out. Due to its large size, Cleveland Park is perfect for an impromptu game of hide in seek with young kids or tag with your older ones.

    An inviting entrance leads you into the playground area. Cleveland Park’s playground isn’t your typical metal pipe, monkey bar, and slide type playground, though. Endless ramps wind through, bringing you to what seems like various levels of this castle-like structure. A soft ground takes the place of mulch under your feet, however, it can get pretty hot-to-the-touch when the sun is shining. A smaller-sized rock wall will challenge your climbers, and several swings are provided to help create a breeze on your face to cool down.

    Park shelters are available to rent, which makes this a great spot to throw a birthday party. (Take a look at the rental information.) You can also check out their website for park hours, which is suggested because once the gate closes, it might be tough to get your car out.

    Cleveland Park Playground

    Happy Hollow Park

    Happy Hollow

    Nestled smack in the middle of the beautiful, historic Converse Heights neighborhood, Happy Hollow Park can simply be described as cute and quaint. Located in a sectioned-off fork of Glendalyn Ave, this park provides a fenced-in grassy area, complete with winding sidewalks, water fountains, and benches for you to relax while your little ones run around.

    As you walk toward the playground, covered picnic tables provide an area for snack time or for your family to enjoy the lunch you packed as a picnic. Beyond the picnic shelter and through a gate, you’ll find two playgrounds that are surrounded by mature trees. The natural shade will help keep you cool once the days get warm. Several benches surround a cemented area, which is a perfect spot for hopscotch, so don’t forget the sidewalk chalk. The baby and big-kid swings are separated from each other, but there aren’t many available, so make sure your child hops on when they see the opportunity.

    There currently are no bathrooms available at this park, so using the potty before heading over is a must! There is no designated parking lot, but on-street parking is available on both sides of Glendalyn Ave, which is only a small price to pay for spending some time at this scenic park.

    Read our full review of the cute and quaint Happy Hollow Park near Converse Heights in Spartanburg, SC

    Happy Hallow Park

    Tyger River Park

    Tyger River Playground
    Tyger River Park

    Located at 195 Dillard Rd in Duncan, Tyger River Park is another large park in terms of space. Once you drive into the park area, be sure to follow the signs to guide you to where you want to go, because this park doesn’t have just your typical rectangular parking lot. Thirteen baseball/softball feels fill up a large portion of this park, as well as an 18-hole disc golf course.

    Right behind the clubhouse are two exciting playgrounds, one for the big-kids and one for the little kids. The big-kid playground is filled with plenty of slides and different ways to climb up onto the playground, which makes for a great obstacle course. There is also a ramp to make getting up to the slides a little easier. As you head on over to the little-kid playground, you’ll pass a rope climbing structure that looks a little intimidating, but can be loads of fun! The little-kid playground includes swings, including swings for the younger children, a sandbox, and a play structure with several low bridges for running around.

    There is also a splash-pad, which puts it high on the list of best playgrounds in Spartanburg, SC. Be sure to bring along a swimsuit, because your children are bound to want to run through the water on hot days (and there are bathrooms to change into dry clothes before loading everyone back in the car before you head home).

    Learn more about Tyger River Park and the many updates it received in our Kidding Around review!

    Va-Du-Mar McMillan Park

    Va-Du-Mar Mcmillan Park playgound slide
    Va-Du-Mar McMillian Park

    When you think of Boiling Springs, Va-Du-Mar McMillan Park might be one of the first things that come to mind. It’s updates make it one of the best playgrounds in Spartanburg, SC! Located at 591 McMillin Boulevard, this is a park you can easily spend half of the day at without getting bored. Bring along a picnic lunch, your discs for disc golf, a soccer ball, and your walking shoes.

    This park has shaded picnic areas and clean bathrooms so you can stick around for a while longer and let the kids burn off some energy. Walking trails, with doggy bags receptacles- because pets are allowed in certain areas of the park- wrap around this beautiful park so you can tire yourself out too (as if the kids don’t do that for you already)!

    Two playgrounds are in a fenced area, keeping your babies safe from the parking area, and with plenty of swings, it’s not likely your child will have to wait their turn for one. These playgrounds don’t fall short on slides, bridges, or climbing structures, so there are plenty of fun ways to enjoy it. A stand-up see-saw adds a different type of fun that you won’t see at most playgrounds.

    Va-Du-Mar Mcmillan Park playgound

    Find 2 more parks in Boiling Springs on this list of 3 Great Parks in Boiling Springs.

    Stoneledge

    Stoneledge Park

    Located at 119 S. Spencer Street in Duncan, this park is situated right outside of another fun spot in the upstate- Shipwreck Cove. Stoneledge Park is even pretty to look at as you make your approach, as it has the appearance of being fenced in by trees/bushes.

    A big- and little-kid playground will give your child an age-appropriate play structure to have some fun. While these playgrounds may not provide anything out of the ordinary to climb and play on, they present a fun appearance with dimension added to the sides of the crawl through tunnels, and the tunnels on the big-kid playground even have a slight incline to make things more interesting.

    A scenic walking trail paves its way through this park, so don’t forget to bring the stroller along if you feel like getting in some of your daily steps. Conveniently, restrooms are available, so potty breaks won’t be an issue when you decide to hang out here. This is a great park to check out if you are trying to plan a busy “make-my-kids-so-tired-they-nap-on-their-own” type of day, because you can start your morning off here, then head over to the waterpark to cool off and add more fun to the day!

    So as the warmer weather approaches, remind yourself that you don’t have to venture far from the upstate to enjoy a day outdoors with your children. With these playgrounds offering such a different atmosphere, each one will create a brand-new adventure.

    What’s your favorite park in our area?

    Things to do in Spartanburg, SC

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    Erika Morelli

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  • Happy Hollow Park: Hidden but one of Spartanburg’s Best

    Happy Hollow Park: Hidden but one of Spartanburg’s Best

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    One of Spartanburg’s lesser known parks, is also one of its best.  Tucked away in the historic neighborhood of Converse Heights, Happy Hollow Park spans one block at the corners of S. Fairview and Glendalyn Avenue.  Small and secure, Happy Hollow Park provides a safe and shady place for children of all ages to play.

    Happy Hollow Park in Spartanburg SC

    About Happy Hollow Park

    Surrounded by a black wrought-iron gate and under a canopy of trees, Happy Hollow Park offers two separate playground equipment areas specific to age.  Larger slides and climbing apparatuses are available for older children, while a smaller set of shorter slides, tunnels, and interactive ground-level features are geared towards younger children.  Two sets of safety swings for babies and toddlers are available, as is a set of traditional swings for older children.

    While the ground of the main play areas are covered in soft, shock-absorbing mulch, there is a paved path that leads into the park.  Here, benches in the shade are the perfect place to sit and visit with other parents or enjoy a moment of respite while the children play within an easily accessible distance.  Don’t forget to bring your sidewalk chalk, as children and parents alike can be found adorning the sidewalk area with their artistic endeavors!  Picnic tables for lunch or a quick snack are also located within the gated play area.

    Happy Hollow Park Spartanburg, SC

    Outside the actual playground area, a lovely green space with a paved walking path and covered picnic pavilion offers a space for children to ride a scooter, play a game of tag, football, or hopscotch, or host an outdoor birthday party or lunch.  Keep your eye out for seasonal events sponsored by the Converse Heights Neighborhood Association, like the annual Easter Egg Hunt and Fourth of July Celebration.

    What’s to Love

    Surrounded by private homes, enclosed by a secure gate, and almost always populated by children and parents, Happy Hollow Park is a safe park to take children on your own.

    Shade, shade, and more shade can be found during the Spring, Summer, and Fall. The tree canopy at Happy Hollow Park minimizes the hot South Carolina temps, which often renders other treeless parks too hot or leaves play equipment scalding for much of the year.  Not so at Happy Hollow Park.

    Due to its smaller size, but age appropriate equipment, it’s easy to entertain children of various ages in the same space, which makes meeting up for diverse playdates or play groups a cinch.

    Happy Hollow Park Spartanburg, SC

    What to Watch For

    No bathrooms!  This is a big negative, especially for potty training children.  Make sure you ‘go’, before you go!

    Parking can be problematic.  Since the park is located in a neighborhood, there is no official parking lot.  Cars park along the street, which can get crowded during peak hours.

    Don’t hesitate to visit Happy Hollow Park. It’s is a fantastic way to spend the day, and it just might become one of your favorite parks in Spartanburg!

    General Information

    Happy Hollow Park
    Glendalyn Avenue
    Spartanburg, SC 29302
    Visit their website

    What’s your favorite park in Spartanburg? Share it with us in the comments area below!

    RELATED: Read our review of Cleveland Park Spartanburg

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    Juliet Wright

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  • Swim in One of the Most Beautiful Lakes of Upstate SC

    Swim in One of the Most Beautiful Lakes of Upstate SC

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    Keowee-Toxaway State Park straddles Cherokee Foothills Scenic Highway (Hwy. 11) between Devils Fork State Park and Long Shoals Wayside Park, one of eight South Carolina State Parks located along the edge of the Blue Ridge Escarpment.

    Known for spectacular views of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the 1,000 acre park is considered a gateway to the Jocassee Gorges, the area defined by a series of steep-sided gorges delivering mountain rivers and streams down to the Piedmont of South Carolina.

    Things to do at Keowee-Toxaway State Park

    Have a picnic

    The state park is split by Highway 11, with the picnic shelters located on a short loop to the south. Five picnic shelters are available for rental. The picnic tables with free-standing grills throughout the park are offered on a first come, first serve basis.

    Stop at the Visitor Center

    Once you’ve finished your picnic lunch, head across Highway 11 to the north portion of the park. The Park Visitor Center houses exhibits about the natural diversity and history of the park, and its importance as a scientific research destination of the region.

    If you’re looking to check out the Visitor Center, be advised that office hours are 11 am to noon and 4 – 5 pm. Despite these rather short hours, the Park is open Saturdays through Thursdays from 9 am – 6 pm and Fridays 9 am – 8 pm. After daylight savings time, the park is open Monday- Sunday until 9 pm. Keowee-Toxaway State Park is free to the public.

    Hiking & Creek Stomping at Keowee-Toxaway

    Mom and two kids splash near a small waterfall at Keowee-Toxaway State Park

    There are 5.5 miles of trails in the Park, the two main hikes being Raven Rock Trail and Natural Bridge Trail. The trailhead for these two trails is located behind the park office. Natural Bridge Nature Trail is a 1½-mile loop, and at the far end of the loop is the Raven Rock trailhead. Combined with the Natural Bridge loop, you achieve a 4.4-mile hike to Raven Rock and back.

    Use the Keowee-Toxaway SP trail map to help you navigate the area easily.

    Natural Bridge Trail

    Hiking the Natural Bridge loop clockwise starts you off along Poe creek and numerous small waterfalls. Soon you’ll come to the intersection with Raven Rock Trail with its views of Lake Keowee, passing rock outcrops and a boulder field before reaching Raven Rock. Looping back to Natural Bridge Trail you’ll cross Poe Creek on the trail’s namesake, an enormous natural rock ‘bridge’. You’ll then cross through an upland hardwoods forest to reach the parking lot.

    Lake Trail

    The ½ mile Lake Trail departs from the campground and emerges from the woods near the Villa to Lake Keowee, where guests can enjoy fishing for bass, bream, crappie, and catfish.

    Keowee-Toxaway is a perfect hike for a spring day! Keep your eyes peeled for the wildflowers that enjoy the moisture along Poe Creek. You’ll also enjoy the rhododendrons and azaleas blooming in late spring and early summer. On a hot summer’s day prepare to cool down in Poe Creek. The irresistible tumble of water makes it hard to leave. Autumn brings colorful fall foliage, but catching the right day in winter means less-crowded trails and parking lots – this is a park for all four seasons.

    Camping at Lake Keowee

    Ten paved camping sites have individual water and electrical hookups for RVs up to 40 feet, while the tent camping area has 14 sites with central water, individual tent pads and fire rings. Restroom facilities with hot showers are available, as well as a dump station.

    Backcountry camping is allowed at three designated sites on Lake Keowee. These are accessible by a hike on Raven Rock Trail, or by paddling to them in a canoe/kayak. For larger groups a primitive group area is located in the backcountry; registration is required and reservations are accepted.

    If camping isn’t for you, reserve the three-bedroom villa that overlooks Lake Keowee near the boat launch. The cabin is completely furnished, heated & air-conditioned with all the amenities. It comes with linens, cooking and eating utensils, washer/dryer, satellite television, Wi-Fi, two fireplaces, and a private boat dock. Just know that pets are not allowed in the cabins.

    Enjoy Lake Keowee!

    Boating: Keowee-Toxaway provides non-motorized boat access to Lake Keowee; to launch a motorized boat you have to use the access at Fall Creek Landing, five miles southwest of the park.

    Fishing: Fishing is allowed. Bass, bream, crappie, and catfish are commonly caught fish.

    Swimming: Swimming is allowed, however, there are no lifeguards or designated swimming areas in the park; swim at your own risk.

    With easy access to Lake Keowee, three beautiful trails with all kinds of unique natural features, and spectacular views throughout the park, Keowee-Toxaway has plenty to offer. We’ve enjoyed our visits in all four seasons. However, spring has a special magic with the ephemeral wildflowers blooming and trees budding electric green. Head north to this gem of a state park and experience the magic for yourself!

    A portion of this post originally appeared on Femme au Foyer.

    What’s your family’s favorite thing to do at Lake Keowee?

    Thirty of the most beautiful natural places in South Carolina

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    Liene

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  • 8 Playgrounds Your Kids Will Beg You Not to Leave

    8 Playgrounds Your Kids Will Beg You Not to Leave

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    If you are looking for a fun park day, then here are the best parks with playgrounds Greenville, SC has! They are free, offer kids a chance to run and play, and also provide great lunch or play-date locations. We have tried to visit as many playgrounds in the Greater Greenville area as possible, and these are our Top park playgrounds in Greenville. These park playgrounds are based on unique play structures, imaginative themes, and scenic surroundings.

    Best Outdoor Playgrounds Greenville, SC

    Have you seen our Park Guide? If your family loves parks you do not want to miss our Ultimate Guide to Parks in the Upstate. In this guide, you can look up parks by location and desired amenities, like swings, basketball courts, and more.

    Best Playgrounds: Greenville, SC

    Century Park: Kids Planet

    Century Park and its accompanying playground, known as Kids Planet is often listed as a local favorite.

    There are some amazing play features at the new playground like a zip line, hillside slides, and ground-level trampoline. Parents will love the two age-appropriate play areas that are enclosed with a fence.

    Kids of all ages will enjoy the musical instrument station between the playgrounds and a butterfly misting station that I can not keep my kids out of in the summertime.

    IMPORTANT: The playground will be closed for maintenance every Wednesday from 7 am – Noon.

    Kids’ Planet at Century Park – 3605 Brushy Creek Road, Greer

    Learn why Kids Planet is one of the best parks in the Greenville Area in our review!

    Playground at Kids Planet, Century Park in Greer, SC

    Herdklotz Park

    Herdklotz has two playgrounds separated by a fence and a walking path. The smaller playground is one of the best playgrounds in our area for young children with not just a fun set of play equipment but also an overlook with a sidewalk area perfect for chalk drawings. This playground area also contains a small picnic shelter within the fencing making it easy to eat lunch while watching your child.

    The larger playground is one of the largest play structures in Greenville with tall slides and climbing structures.

    Perhaps my favorite reason to list Herdklotz is the play area is shady and cool. The elevation is also a little bit higher than most of Greenville allowing you to have a great view of the city. The shaded benches and natural styled landscaping also add to the natural beauty of this park.

    Nearby to the playground are also a volleyball court, horseshoe court, open walking trail, and large fields.

    If you have both older children and young children, note that it is difficult to see the upper playground from the lower one. You may want to go with a friend, or prepare your children ahead of time to split times on the two playgrounds.

    And, by the way, did you know that Herdklotz is also known for being a historic ghost-sighting spot?

    Herdklotz Park – 126 Beverly Road, Greenville

    Herdklotz Park in Greenville, South Carolina

    Cleveland Park

    Cleveland Park is not just one of Greenville’s best playgrounds but also is conveniently located downtown beside the Greenville Zoo. The playground is hot in the summertime with its black soft surface but has two shade tents that help deflect the heat.

    My kids love the unique play structures that incorporate balance, arm strength, and climbing skills, into play. This playground does a great job of encouraging active hard-working play and is advanced enough for older children while still providing plenty of fun for younger kids.

    Also, Cleveland Park adjoins several nice sections of the Swamp Rabbit Trail. You can walk just a little bit down the trail to see an additional small train replica playground and the Vietnam War Memorial. The trail also connects to the scenic area of downtown Greenville, making this park a great starting place for an afternoon walk or bike ride. You will also find tennis courts near the park and other park features that you can explore by bike or walking.

    Cleveland Park –East Washington and Cleveland Park Drive, Greenville

    Check out our review of Cleveland Park next to the Greenville Zoo!

    Review of Cleveland Park in Greenville, South Carolina

    Runway Park

    We’ve watched this park grow into a popular play space, known for being one of the most unusual and fun playgrounds in Greenville. Located right beside the Greenville Downtown Airport, kids love watching the planes fly in and out while playing on aviation-themed equipment. My kids also love running down the small runway in the center of the park while pretending to be planes.

    Currently, the park has two playgrounds inside a fenced-in area with play spaces for both small and older children. A plane hanger-styled picnic shelter sits to the side, and a real Cessna 310 aircraft flies over the park positioned on a pole to the side. 

    We’ve noticed on visits that kids also walk and ride more at this park due to the runway-themed walkways being positioned inside the fence where parents can easily watch from a distance. At the edge of the fence, kids can sit at a small amphitheater where they can get a front-row view of the planes taking off and landing.

    The park has a restroom and benches with a little shade, but don’t forget the sunscreen as the play spaces of this park are not shaded.

    You’ll find the Runway Cafe and Takeoff Mini Golf course in the vicinity, so you can make a day of it!

    Note: While the entrance to the park is a super neat fuselage of an actual plane, the gate doesn’t latch and opens directly to a parking lot. Your kiddos might require an extra level of supervision to ensure they don’t run out into the parking lot.

    Runway Park – 21 Airport Road Extension, Greenville

    The Runway Park (is our favorite) because it is fenced in and has a younger and an older section. It also has a track and a case next to it. And of course you get to watch the airplanes!

    Sarah A.

    It’s a battle every time we need to leave. They love it there

    Kendra T

    Learn more about the Downtown Greenville Airport’s Runway Park with our Mom Review!

    Airport Park playground in Greenville, South Carolina

    Conestee Park

    We love the playground at Conestee Park. But, if you have never been to the adjacent Lake Conestee Nature Park then you are really missing out. Its nature walk trails are amazing and perfect for the whole family. Plus, the park is known for its wide variety of wildlife, especially birds.

    Beyond the amazing nature trails and large ball fields, Conestee Park also has one of the best outdoor-themed playgrounds, featuring imaginative elements such as “trees” to climb and a toadstool table and benches. The playgrounds are hot with little shade but do provide large safe spaces for running and play.

    I love this playground for its scenic location and wide-open spaces. If you are looking for the perfect place to enjoy both a view of the blue sky and a shady exploration of nature, this is the park for you.

    Also, don’t miss this article on bird-watching at Lake Conestee complete with some lovely photos!

    Conestee Park – 840 Mauldin Road, Greenville

    Conestee Park in Mauldin, South Carolina

    Simpsonville City Park

    The City of Simpsonville spent around $200,000 of dedicated recreation funds to revamp the playground, and it has become a reader favorite. Additional private money was raised to create the Simpsonville Sensory Playground, an area dedicated to providing kids with sensory disorders a place of their own to enjoy play, although all kids are welcome to use the equipment.

    There are several climbing structures and balancing equipment, which lend themselves to kids who are practicing to be little ninja warriors. There are plenty of swings, including two for children who are disabled, baby swings, and regular swings for bigger kids. The zip line is pretty awesome, too. Kids (and I imagine adults – truth be told, I really wanted to try it out) line up for their turn to sit on the seat hanging by a thick rope and zip on the line to the other end of the playground. This is a popular feature and certainly a favorite activity for my own kids.

    Simpsonville City Park – 100 Park Drive, Simpsonville

    Check out our review of this modern park in Simpsonville’s Downtown!

    Simpsonville City Park

    Unity Park

    One of the newest parks in Greenville, SC, Unity Park is situated just outside of the downtown Greenville skyline. It is considered one of the best parks in Greenville County! It is connected to the Swamp Rabbit Trail, making it an excellent choice when looking for an extended plan for the day. You can ride your bikes from Falls Park through downtown to Unity, and then enjoy the vast playground. There is a humongous green space for kite flying or lazing in the sun, bridges over rivers to explore, a wetland preserve, an awesome splash pad in the warmer months, and playgrounds for both little kids and big kids to enjoy.

    The park is designed with a nature theme in mind, so there are tall hills connected with wood structures that remind me of exploring a winter forest. There are swings, climbing structures, slides, and something for kids of all ages to enjoy.

    Unity Park- 320 S Hudson Street, Greenville

    Learn why we love Unity Park in our Kidding Around review!

    View of Unity Park atop one of the playstructures, Greenville, SC

    Trailblazer Park

    Nestled on the outskirts of the Swamp Rabbit Trail in Downtown Travelers Rest is Trailblazer Park. The park has a lot of open space to play, but the playground is a gem! It is compact but has a lot to offer, including a large rope web to climb, zip lines, a merry-go-round, and an adorable play structure that younger kids will love. Don’t worry, the Park has swings too for when your toddler inevitably wants to spend 90% of your visit in them. There is a lot a long paved walking trail to enjoy.

    We loved the uniqueness of the ropes course, it isn’t found very often in most parks, and makes a great challenge for kids to accomplish! The park is only a 10-15 minute walk from the restaurants on Main Street, which is what we did after a visit to TReehouse Cafe.

    Trailblazer Park- 235 Trailblazer Drive, Travelers Rest

    Trailblazer Park in Travelers Rest, South Carolina

    I’m sure that you may have other favorite playgrounds that I missed. Please share in the comments!

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    Bethany Winston

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  • Detroit suspiciously quiet about contamination found at missile-related site-turned-park

    Detroit suspiciously quiet about contamination found at missile-related site-turned-park

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    A week after the city of Detroit alerted residents in a last-minute Zoom meeting that it was closing a waterfront park on the east side after finding contamination in the soil, Mayor Mike Duggan’s administration has refused to divulge any further details.

    Now residents in Jefferson Chalmers are left wondering if they’ve been exposed to dangerous contaminants at A.B. Ford Park, which was a Nike missile-related site in the 1950s. Those sites are notorious for leaving behind a toxic cocktail of contaminants, though it is not believed that any missiles were ever stored at the A.B. Ford Park site, which housed radar tracking towers and barracks for military personnel.

    Residents are also incensed with the city’s insistence that it must remove more than 250 trees, some of which are more than 100 years old and are used by bald eagles. The city claims the best way to protect residents from the contamination is by adding two feet of fresh soil to the 32-acre park, which would make it impossible for the trees to survive.

    To cover the park with new soil, an average of 20 to 30 heavy trucks would trudge through the neighborhood every day from March to September, the city said.

    The city plans to replace the trees with hundreds of native and flowering trees, according to a city document.

    After news broke about the park’s closure on Friday, the city abruptly canceled a meeting with residents.

    Terry Swafford, who takes his two children to the park almost every day, has been trying to get more information from the city, to no avail.

    In a phone conversation last week with Crystal Perkins, director of the city’s General Services Department, Swafford says he was told Detroit had to spend the money quickly.

    None of this adds up to Swafford and his neighbors. The city has been testing the park for contaminants for years and never mentioned finding toxic chemicals. In fact, the city renovated the western portion of the park last year and added no new soil.

    He’s skeptical that there’s any good reason to remove the trees.

    “This is disastrous, and no one wants it,” Swafford tells Metro Times. “All of my neighbors are up in arms about it, and they feel powerless. This is a no-win for us. This is horseshit, and the city knows it.”

    Swafford says residents have reached out to his city councilwoman, Latisha Johnson, but she never called them back.

    When Metro Times asked for specifics about the contamination, the city declined to release details. The city also refused to divulge the funding source, the identities of the contractors, and whether there was even a bidding process.

    Even for the city of Detroit, this level of secrecy is unusual.

    Earlier this week, Duggan spokesman John Roach said he would try to answer Metro Times’s questions, but on Thursday morning, he declined, saying the administration will address the community during a meeting about the park on Thursday evening.

    “The city is doing a full presentation on the soil contamination to the community at a meeting at 5:00 tonight,” Roach said in a text message. “That community report will be followed by the posting of all environmental reports on the city’s website early next week.”

    Trouble is, that timing prevents residents from providing any insight until the process is almost complete.

    After this story was published, a Detroit City Council committee voted to delay action on the $9.6 million plan at a meeting Thursday afternoon. Swafford says neither he nor his neighbors knew about the meeting until the last minute.

    If the council approves the spending, the plan will move forward, without ample opportunity for residents to provide any meaningful insight.

    Detroit resident Jay Juergensen, a flood protection expert and lead organizer of Jefferson-Chalmers WATER Project, says he has serious concerns about the plan and the city’s lack of transparency. Residents in Jefferson Chalmers have been inundated with flooded basements over the past few years, and he’s worried the plan could exacerbate the problem.

    “All of my neighbors are up in arms about it, and they feel powerless. This is a no-win for us. This is horseshit, and the city knows it.”

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    “What efforts are being made to ensure the proposed work is engineered in a manner that meets performance standards, including stability, seepage and settlement necessary to ensure it can provide flood protection or does not undermine future efforts for flood protection or put adjacent residents at great risk for flooding?” Juergensen tells Metro Times.

    Residents also want to know if the area’s seawalls, which are intended to prevent flooding, are going to be raised since the ground is going to be two feet higher.

    If the park is contaminated, it remains unclear why the city renovated the western portion, demolished an old building, and constructed a solar-powered recreation center last year. That building has large windows that are just inches above the ground. Adding two feet of soil around the building would put some of the building underground.

    Without any answers, residents have no idea what to believe.

    “If they had known it was contaminated when they took soil samples years ago, they would have done this remediation ahead of time [on the western portion] and there would have been two feet of extra soil,” Swafford says. “They didn’t follow their own recommendation. Are we to believe that it just became contaminated? None of this adds up. This should be obvious to anybody.”

    From 1955 to 1960, the military used the property for radar tracking towers for missiles that were stored underground near Belle Isle. Towers from the Nike missile site are still standing at the park.

    In Michigan, the military had 15 Nike sites, where workers handled hazardous chemicals. The Defense Department stationed thousands of surface-to-air missiles at about 250 Nike sites nationwide that were intended to protect major U.S. cities from aerial attacks during the Cold War.

    Researchers discovered that these sites were rife with contamination.

    “Normal operations of a Nike site included the use and onsite disposal of solvents, battery acids, fuel, and hydraulic fluid,” researchers found in a 1984 study. “Environmentally persistent compounds disposed of included carbon tetrachloride, trichlorethylene, trichloroethane, lead, and various hydrocarbons.”

    Roach said it is believed that the contamination at A.B. Ford Park stems from the non-native fill material that was used to develop the site, which was once a marsh.

    City officials hope to reopen the park in the fall. The park is undergoing renovations that will feature walkways, a playground, basketball court, fitness and picnic areas, tennis and pickleball courts, a fishing node, beach, and waterfront plaza.

    But without more information, residents aren’t applauding the new amenities.

    This story was updated with a clarification that no missiles were believed to have ever been stored at the site, as well as additional comments from the city’s spokesman.

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    Steve Neavling

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  • Contamination forces closure of Detroit waterfront park

    Contamination forces closure of Detroit waterfront park

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    click to enlarge

    Rendering via city of Detroit

    A.B. Ford Park in the Jefferson Chalmers neighborhood is undergoing renovations.

    The city of Detroit closed a waterfront park on the east side that was undergoing renovations after finding contamination in the soil.

    Beginning in March, the city will remove more than 250 trees, some of which are more than a 100 years old and are used by bald eagles, from A.B. Ford Park in the Jefferson Chalmers.

    The park, which was closed and blocked off Wednesday, is undergoing $9 million in renovations that will feature walkways, a playground, basketball court, fitness and picnic areas, tennis and pickleball courts, a fishing node, beach, and waterfront plaza.

    Even without the contamination, the park was scheduled to soon close for renovations.

    The trees are being removed because officials have to add two feet of fresh soil to the 32-acre park to protect residents from the contamination. The trees, most of which city officials said are in poor condition, won’t survive the extra soil.

    The city plans to plant hundreds of new native and flowering trees in their place, according to a city document. The new trees include quaking Aspens, river birch, Princeton elm, Shumard oak, purple beech, sugar maple, bur oak, black gum, eastern redbud, and dogwood.

    The plastic and metal contamination was found while officials were conducting environmental testing that was required to demolish the old and abandoned Lenox Center on the site.

    To cover the park with two feet of new soil, an average of 20 to 30 heavy trucks will dump the material at the site every weekday from March to September, according to the city’s plans.

    As part of the renovations, the city recently built the $7.2 million A.B. Ford Park Community Center, which was funded by Detroit and a donation from the Penske Corp. to the city’s Strategic Neighborhood Fund. The solar-powered building features classrooms, a library area, a community gathering room, and space for indoor sports and parties.

    City officials hope to reopen the park in the fall.

    City spokesman John Roach tells Metro Times there’s no truth to rumors that an Environmental Protection Agency restoration project will be canceled.

    The source of the contamination wasn’t immediately clear. Roach says the soil is non-native and about a century old.

    The city plans to soon hold meetings to update residents on the contamination and plans to remediate it.

    Subscribe to Metro Times newsletters.

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    Steve Neavling

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  • New visitor center at Washington Crossing State Park in New Jersey will overlook Delaware River

    New visitor center at Washington Crossing State Park in New Jersey will overlook Delaware River

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    A new visitor center planned at New Jersey’s Washington Crossing State Park will include “commanding views” of the Delaware River at the site where the Revolutionary War took a pivotal turn.

    The visitor center is expected to be completed in time for the nation’s 250th anniversary in 2026, according to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. Preparation work is starting this month. 

    The visitor center will feature a unique, curved design with a green roof and a series of trails surrounding the building. Inside, a multipurpose theater will have immersive exhibits that celebrate Gen. George Washington and his troops crossing the icy river into New Jersey on Christmas in 1776. The next morning, the Continental Army marched nine miles south to Trenton and waged a surprise attack on a garrison held by Hession mercenaries. British forces had largely remained in New York for the winter, leaving an opening for Washington’s army to score a strategic victory that restored morale and helped alter the course of the war in the Americans’ favor. 

    Washington Crossing State Park spans about 3,500 acres in Mercer and Hunterdon counties along the Delaware River, with most of the park’s amenities situated near the riverfront in Titusville. Before the war, the site of the crossing had been used for commercial and passenger ferries between Pennsylvania and New Jersey. 

    The park was established in 1912 and later expanded with roads, trails and picnic groves during the Great Depression. It now includes a nature preserve, an open-air theater and a number of historic structures, including the Johnson Ferry House and surrounding tract where Washington’s troops took shelter after crossing the river. The park’s Swan Collection, held at the existing visitor center, holds more than 600 artifacts from the Revolutionary War era.

    The visitor center is expected to cost $14 million, the Inquirer reported.

    It is being funded with corporate business tax revenue through the Preserve New Jersey Act. Additional support will be provided by Gov. Phil Murphy with funds from the American Rescue Plan. The visitor center was designed by New York-based Ikon 5 Architects, whose work received a national award from the Society of American Registered Architects.

    Beginning in late February (2024), work will begin in preparation for construction of the new Washington Crossing State…

    Posted by New Jersey State Parks, Forests & Historic Sites on Wednesday, February 14, 2024

    The initial phase of the project involves removing trees from the visitor center site. By law, the state will offset the tree removal with plantings in other areas of the park. Events marking the United States Semiquincentennial will begin later this year and continue through 2033, officials said.

    Washington State Crossing Park is significantly bigger than Bucks County’s 500-acre Washington Crossing Historic Park, which holds annual Christmas reenactments of the famed crossing. In recent years, Pennsylvania has provided funding for the restoration of more than a dozen historic structures at the park.

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    Michael Tanenbaum

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  • West Greenville Community Center's New Playground Was a Hit!

    West Greenville Community Center's New Playground Was a Hit!

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    Looking for a playground to visit? You may want to check out West Greenville Community Center’s playground in Greenville!

    It’s winter and, yes, it can be cold. Really cold. However, we also get the occasional 60 degree day, in January. You know the kind. When you absolutely must spend as much time outside as possible, before it turns cold again. That’s the perfect day for one of the many awesome parks in Greenville!

    Recently, I took the kids to a playground at the West Greenville Community Center. In case you haven’t noticed, Greenville’s West End is bursting with new life. The small, quaint streets are lined with art galleries, vintage shops and to-die-for restaurants. Tucked off the main road, away from all the activity, we found Greenville Rec’s newest addition to the community. It’s not very big, but the boys and I were impressed.

    West Greenville Community Center Playground

    A little about West Greenville Community Center’s playground

    There’s ample space to throw down your picnic blanket. The next time we go, I plan to park myself under the huge Oak Tree. If the ground doesn’t appeal to you, there are two really nice, new tables and benches. The park has two regular slides, one double slide, several climbing apparatus and monkey bars. In spite of the cold, we had a really nice time.

    There’s good news and bad news for parents of younger children. The good news is, there’s mulch. The bad news is, there’s mulch. You’ll want to use the set of eyes in the back of your head for the little ones who put anything and everything in their mouths.

    Honestly, there’s only so much a girl can write about a playground. So, here’s a short list of comments thrown at me from the back seat on our way home:

    “Do we have to leave?”

    “Even though there aren’t any swings, it was still fun.”

    “Can we come back tomorrow?”

    “I’m glad we didn’t have to drive far.”

    “I really want to ride that spin around-thingy again!”

    Playground benches at West Greenville Community Center in Greenville SC

    Visit West Greenville Community Center for yourself

    8 Rochester Street
    Greenville, SC 29601
    Visit the West Greenville Community Center Park website.

    Have you checked out the new playground at West Greenville Community Center yet?

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    Andrea Beam

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  • Tauranga CBD to lose 147 Strand waterfront car parks for green space, businesses ‘fuming’ – Medical Marijuana Program Connection

    Tauranga CBD to lose 147 Strand waterfront car parks for green space, businesses ‘fuming’ – Medical Marijuana Program Connection

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    Mainstreet Tauranga chairwoman and Miss Gee’s Bar and Eatery owner Ashleigh Gee says closing The Strand waterfront car park will have a “detrimental” impact on businesses in the CBD. Photo / Alex Cairns

    Hospitality businesses in Tauranga’s CBD are “fuming” as 147 waterfront car parks are set to be turned into a green space.

    A bar owner says closing the parking area just before summer will be “the worst thing” for businesses, and a real estate leader says the change will be the “death nail” for the “dying” CBD and his business might move.

    Tauranga City Council says The Strand waterfront car park is closing on Monday for the area to be transformed into a green reserve and playground. It is expected to be under construction until mid-2024.

    The council says redeveloping this “prime waterfront location” is important for Tauranga CBD’s revitalisation and will be a “drawcard” for locals and visitors.

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    It says new parks have been added nearby and the number of spots in the city centre will “will largely remain the same” once work on the Spring St parking building ends.

    In under a week, however, more than 1000 people have signed an online petition expressing “concern and opposition” to the closure of “one of the city centre’s most vital car parking spaces”.

    It was started by Mainstreet Tauranga chairwoman and Miss Gee’s Bar and Eatery owner Ashleigh Gee on Friday.

    Mainstreet Tauranga chairwoman and Miss Gee’s Bar and Eatery owner Ashleigh Gee says closing The Strand waterfront car park will have a "detrimental" impact on businesses in the CBD. Photo / Alex Cairns
    Mainstreet Tauranga chairwoman and Miss Gee’s…

    Original Author Link click here to read complete story..

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    MMP News Author

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  • Improve Your Off Road Skills at Gateway Park in Travelers Rest

    Improve Your Off Road Skills at Gateway Park in Travelers Rest

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    Have you visited Gateway Park in Travelers, SC? This park along the Swamp Rabbit Trail is full of outdoor things to do, including an impressive bike park where you can practice jumps, ride the pump track, and older bikers can conquer the skills down two different jump lines. Here’s all the information you need to take advantage of Gateway Park on your next visit to TR.

    Bike skills park at Gateway Park in Travelers Rest

    About Gateway Park in Travelers Rest

    Gateway Park is located along the Swamp Rabbit Trail in Downtown Travelers Rest, right behind Sunrift Adventures.

    Biking is a bike draw to Gateway Park, but there are also other things to do. There is a small playground in the shade, plus tennis courts, a football field, and a basketball court. Restrooms are centrally located in the middle of the park. And, there are a number of picnic tables and even charcoal grills located throughout the park.

    Playground at Gateway ParkPlayground at Gateway Park

    Getting to Gateway Park

    There are two entrances to Gateway Park, but if you’re not looking for them, you might miss them. The first entrance, and the one that GPS will probably take you to, is right behind Sunrift Adventures. You will actually turn into the Sunrift parking lot and then veer to the right into the Gateway Park parking lot. At this end of the park you’ll find the basketball court and field.

    If you continue driving through the park, you’ll pass the restrooms on the left, the playground on the right, and then you’ll arrive at the bike skills park.

    There is another entrance/exit here at the bike park onto Henderson Drive. Turning left here will bring you back up towards Main Street, Travelers Rest.

    Skills park at Gateway Park, Travelers Rest, SCSkills park at Gateway Park, Travelers Rest, SC

    Biking at Gateway Park

    There’s something for every level of biker at Gateway Park. While my older kids and husband spend most of their time at the park on the skills in the jump lines, the park also offers a pump track, several platforms at varying heights for drop jumps, and 2 1/2 miles of mountain biking trails through the woods and around the park.

    Kids track at Gateway ParkKids track at Gateway Park

    There’s also a small figure 8 track for kids beside the playground.

    Jump Lines

    Bikers using the jump lines start at the platform in the corner of the bike park. Skills in the jump lines include gap jumps, steep table tops, and a variety of berms. Here you’ll find a helpful map of the trails and maybe a friendly biker or two to give you some pointers. If you’ve never tried these types of jumps, a good way to start is by rolling over the jumps on the trail slowly, rather than jumping. It’s always a good idea to take new trails slowly, anyway.

    Skills park at Gateway Park, biking in TRSkills park at Gateway Park, biking in TR

    Drop Jumps and Pump Track

    Pump trackPump track

    Across the road from the jump lines, you’ll see the small pump track and the drop jumps. The pump track would be a could place for younger riders to try some skills. There are no jumps on this track only bumps and turns.

    Beside the pump track is an area for bikers to practice drop jumps off of platforms. There is a variety of heights to choose from, entry and exit of these jumps is a grassy field- no trails. When bikers are present you’ll want to keep an eye on the kiddos here.

    Ride the trails

    In addition to the skills portion of the bike park, there is also a trail through the woods and around the park. There are about 2 1/2 miles of mountain bike trail.

    dirt bike trail at Gateway Parkdirt bike trail at Gateway Park

    Got a flat?

    When we arrived at the park most recently, my husband pulled his bike out of the van, only to realize the tire was flat and he didn’t have the adaptor he needed to pump it up. He brought the bike over to Sunrift Adventures, located right beside the park, and they pumped it up for free. He was also able to buy the missing adaptor so he’d have it for next time for just $1. Sunrift is a great resource in the area for biking and all kinds of outdoor adventures.

    More to Love at Gateway Park

    This park used to be the site of Travelers Rest High School. So, if you are not in the mood for biking, grab a football and play on the football field that has been used to train athletes for decades. You can also enjoy the basketball court or baseball diamond.

    If you are 5 or 95, you will find something at this park to get your heart pumping while soaking in some vitamin D. Bring some friends, and get out to Gateway Park.

    Gateway Park in Travelers RestGateway Park in Travelers Rest

    Visit Gateway Park in TR

    115 Henderson Drive, Travelers Rest
    Visit the Gateway Park website for more information.

    Would your family enjoy a day visiting Gateway Park in Travelers Rest?

    Where else can you ride? Check out the Kidding Around Guide to Mountain Biking in the Upstate.

    There’s so much more to do in Travelers Rest!

    Improve Your Bike Skills at Gateway Park: Travelers Rest, SC


    Enjoy a Meal at These Restaurants in Travelers Rest, SC


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    Maria Bassett

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  • Cedar Falls Park is the Perfect Park to Visit on a Fall Day

    Cedar Falls Park is the Perfect Park to Visit on a Fall Day

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    Looking for a beautiful park to enjoy on a crisp fall day? Cedar Falls Park in Fountain Inn offers a fun playground, a paved walking path, a historical site, and a waterfall. We’ll give you all the information you need to plan a day at this park with your family.

    Parks and playgrounds near Greenville, South Carolina

    Want more ideas on parks to explore, places to hike and more outdoor fun? Check out our Things to do Outside page.

    I was first introduced to Cedar Falls Park by Deirdre at JDaniel4’s Mom. Deirdre and I are friends, and she is also a local blogger. She blogged about her visit to Cedar Falls Park during the 2013 Greenville Park Hop. I could tell that she and J Daniel had a lot of fun during their visit, and I decided that my family would need to check the park out ourselves.

    After our visit my husband and I agreed that Cedar Falls Park is a local secret. The playground is imaginative and great for getting kids active. But the best part about Cedar Falls Park is the paved path (yay for strollers!) that leads to a beautiful wooded area where the Reedy River rolls over waterfalls and wildlife abounds.

    waterfall at Cedar Falls Parkwaterfall at Cedar Falls Park

    The history of Cedar Falls Park

    Cedar Falls Park doubles as not just a recreational spot but also as an historic area. The site originated as a Cherokee hunting ground and transportation hub across the Reedy River. Later in the 1800s, a dam was built to power several mills. In the 1900s, a larger dam generated electric power for the Fork Shoals Mill. A more complete history of the Cedar Falls is located on a park sign on the trail.

    On the trail, you will also find a sign explaining the Cherokee history of the site as well as a sign about the environmental aspects of the Reedy River which includes a chart of wildlife in the area.

    Basic Information about Cedar Falls Park

    The 90+ acres at Cedar Falls Park contains so much:

    • a paved walking trail to the falls
    • a sand volleyball court
    • picnic shelter
    • restrooms
    • playground
    • parking at both the playground and a small amount of parking beside the falls
    • large grassy areas for play
    Cedar Falls Park playgroundCedar Falls Park playground

    The Playground at Cedar Falls Park

    My kids really enjoyed the play area located at the first entrance of the park. The playground based on fairy tales, included a bean stalk ladder, rock wall, small cave window, and large fun climbing structures. As a mom of a very brave toddler, I was glad to see that even the larger playground wasn’t terribly high (not that I would have wanted her to fall off it).

    The playground designed for smaller kids was a little larger than other local options. I liked how it was still challenging and fun for even my 5 year-old (though he was fascinated with the larger structure on the other side).

    The playground did not have a fence and both levels of playgrounds were connected. Since the playground was beside the parking lot, you did have to watch small kids closely to make sure they didn’t wander off.

    The Falls at Cedar Falls Park

    The walk to Cedar Falls was not difficult. Our kids (2 and 5) complained a little and we ended up toting the toddler, but we made it there and back without too much trouble. We did not bring a stroller, but the path was completely paved down to the falls.

    We noticed a lot of people playing in the water, but we did not due to it being part of the Reedy River. Parents will want to know that this portion of the Reedy River has the same toxic level warning signs as you will find near the Reedy River at Falls Park.

    I wore flip flops and the kids wore shorts on our visit. I would recommend tennis shoes and long pants as you will want to explore off of the path once you reach the falls. Don’t forget plenty of water and snacks too. Basically dress and pack for a hike.

    The area was beautiful and we noticed lots of interesting insects and birds.

    Even though the park was a little outside the normal area we travel for park visits, I’m sure that we will visit again. The kids really enjoyed their time playing at the park, and word is that Cedar Falls Park is a must-see spot in Greenville in the fall.

    Visit Cedar Falls Park with your family

    Cedar Falls Park is open daily from 9 am – dusk.

    201 Cedar Falls Road, Fountain Inn

    Visit the Cedar Falls Park website for more information.

    What is your family’s favorite thing about Cedar Falls Park?

    Fountain Inn, SCFountain Inn, SC

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    Bethany Winston

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