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Tag: Pickens SC

  • Hit the Trail on Two Wheels at Town Creek Bike Park

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    Looking for a bike park to visit now that the heat of the summer has passed? You might want to consider Town Creek Bike Park in Pickens, SC; here are the details on how to make your visit to this unique spot a success!

    With the advent of cooler weather, the kids have been spending more time on their bicycles, not just in our neighborhood, but in numerous local bike parks. Today I want to share one of the boys’ favorite places to hit the trail on two wheels: Town Creek Bike Park.

    About Town Creek Bike Park

    Located about 30 minutes from Greenville, the Town Creek Bike Park is located at 545 State Rd S-39-190, just north of Pickens, SC. You’ll see a sign for “Pickens Recreation Center,” and after making the turn, proceed to the far end of the parking lot. There you’ll see a kiosk with a map of the park, as well as a box for waivers; a second waiver station and the park rules are located just past the park entrance.

    The City of Pickens asks that you please fill out a waiver form before using the park, and riders under the age of 18 must have a parent’s signature. At the kiosk you can also see a map of the park, including the difficulty legend for the various trails.

    The park is a large playground for kids on bikes. With single track, a pump track, half-log trails, earthen & wooden rollers, jumps and wall rides, the course is challenging yet offers plenty of choices for younger and less-experienced riders. We’ve visited with a kid who is still on training wheels, and have ridden on the 8’ wide paved trail called the “Appalachian Lumber Greenway” that follows the historic Appalachian Lumber Company railroad route from the Pickens Recreation Center around the bike park to a playground. Most of the intermediate and difficult features also have bypass trails.

    A large portion of the park is forested, providing shade on hot summer days. This does affect visibility though, and the park is big enough that you can’t see from one end to the other – we utilize the buddy system for safety, keeping the younger riders paired with an adult or more experienced rider.

    bike park in pickens, sc

    Just like most of the bike parks in the Upstate, the course must be dry when used in order to keep it in good shape. To prevent the dirt features from being damaged and posing a hazard to the riders, the course is closed and cannot be used when wet. As a general rule, if there is an inch of rain, the course will remain closed for one day, and if there are two inches of rain, the course will remain closed for two days, etc. The course may also be closed for major holidays, extreme weather conditions, and for special events; you may want to call ahead if there has been rain.

    To read a detailed list of the features available at Town Creek Bike Park, please visit the City of Pickens website. The course is only open during park hours. There is no cost to use the Bike Park, and there is no attendant on duty. Remember to ride within your abilities, respect all park rules, and have fun while staying safe.

    Town Creek Park Pickens SC map

    Town Creek Bike Park Highlights

    • Singletrack Trails
    • 4,000-Foot FlowCoaster
    • Dirt Jump Lines
    • Wooden Rollers
    • Raised Half-Log Trails
    • Pump Track & Earthen Bowl
    • Berm Turns & Wall Rides
    • Earthen Rollers
    • Apex Over-Under Bridges
    • Wooden Banked Turns

    Before You Arrive at Town Creek Bike Park

    • Double-check that the park is open.
    • Bike Park riders need to sign a waiver and wear a helmet and other recommended protective gear. You may complete a waiver at one of the kiosks at the Bike Park. Once you get to the park, place the signed waiver in the designated slot in one of the kiosks.

    More Places to Ride Bikes

    If you like Town Creek Bike Park, you might also like these places to ride:

    Ride a bike

    About the Author

    Mother of four young boys, Liene is constantly on the move since returning to Greenville in 2012. Whether she’s exploring the state parks and natural areas of the Carolinas or teaming up with other moms to organize activities for the kids, she’s always searching for the next adventure in the Upstate. For everything from hiking, travel, cooking and crafts to multicultural & global education posts, visit her blog, http://FemmeauFoyer2011.blogspot.com.

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    Liene

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  • This Fascinating Historical Site Is Free to Visit

    This Fascinating Historical Site Is Free to Visit

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    Hagood Mill Historic Site and Folklife Center was built as a grist mill in 1825 by Benjamin Hagood. Today the site is managed by Pickens County Museum and features a grist mill, a working water wheel, historic buildings, and nature trails. It is a beautiful and interesting place to visit, especially if you enjoy stepping back in time and learning what life was like for the people who lived here years ago. Local mom, Kristen Alcock, brings us all the details and helpful hints to make your visit to Hagood Mill a wonderful spring adventure!

    Folklife Center

    Walking around Hagood Mill, you will see two restored log cabins, a moonshine distillery, a blacksmith shop, and a cotton gin. Inside the cabins are a giant loom, spinning wheel and other historical items. My son loved watching the cotton gin demonstration and touching the raw cotton. “Our favorite part was seeing the grist mill!” said Christel Price, a KAG reader. “The kids loved seeing it in action and learning how the whole process works.”

    Nature Trail

    The walking trail, through the woods and around historical buildings, is great for hikers of all ages. The trail is unpaved and a little bumpy. It’s short enough for little walkers to manage, and is usually very shady. My family did not walk the entire trail, but Elizabeth Lamb from Hike it Baby Greenville said, “It’s a beautiful 3/4 mile trail with a fun bridge. It’s perfect for young walkers.”

    Petroglyph Site

    This fascinating archeological site highlights 32 distinct petroglyphs, mostly human forms, and is one of the best petroglyph sites open to the public. Discovered in 1993, it is estimated that the drawings were left by a prehistoric culture 1,500 to 2,000 years ago. The drawings are pretty eroded but the exhibit has a great audio presentation, photographs and explanation of the historical significance of the drawing and the people who left them.

    Special Events

    My family was lucky enough to visit Hagood Mill during one of their monthly festivals which included banjo and fiddle music, local pottery, as well as moonshine, cotton gin, and gristmill demonstrations. The once-a-month events are noted on their calendar. Hagood Mill holds a kid’s fest in the spring, military celebrations and various music festivals.

    This video was originally published on The Stinehart’s YouTube channel and showcases the Storytelling Festival.

    Other upcoming events include the annual Fiddling Championship and Storytelling Festival. Look for a Native American Celebration in November and a Celtic Christmas in December.

    Hagood Mill also occasionally offers some really interesting classes. Past classes include Hearth Cooking, fermenting wild foods, a Sketchbook workshop, and learning how 19th-century southerners survived winters on the homestead.

    Hagood Mill homeschool lesson

    Gift Shop

    Shop local at the Hagood Mill gift shop. You can buy products such as jams, honey, and jewelry, pottery and soaps made by local artists. They also have books about local history, t-shirts and CDs. The gift shop also sells cornmeal and stone ground grits made right there at the grist mill!

    Planning Your Visit

    138 Hagood Mill Road
    Pickens, SC 29671
    864.898.2936

    Hagood Mill, the trails and the petroglyph site are open every week; Wednesday through Saturday, 10 am to 4 pm. Admission is free, however on Saturdays with a festival there is a $5 parking fee.

    Festivals are the third Saturday of each month. For a complete list and calendar of events visit their website.

    Hagood Mill

    We read a book that mentioned mills and what they do before our visit and it helped my son understand what he was seeing. Here are a few books that mention gristmills and petroglyphs:

    Books that mention or explain mills, grain, flour, etc:
    Pancakes, Pancakes by Eric Carle
    Any version of the Little Red Hen
    The Grist Mill Secret by Lillie V. Albrecht

    Books that describe or mention petroglyphs:
    There Was an Old Man Who Painted the Sky by Teri Sloat
    Early Humans (DK Eyewitness Book)
    Magic Treehouse #7: Sunset of the Sabertooth by Mary Pope Osbourne

    Events Coming Up at Hagood Mill

    Would your kids enjoy visiting Hagood Mill?

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    Kristen Alcock

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  • Parties and Play at Happy Kids Playhouse

    Parties and Play at Happy Kids Playhouse

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    Searching for an indoor space for your kids to play or to host a party in Pickens, SC? Then you’ve reached the right place – here’s our Happy Kids Playhouse review! The whole space is curated for entertaining ages 10 and under, with large inflatable slides, tons of toys, creative play stations, character appearances, and more. Happy Kids Playhouse has everything you need to have a memorable party for your little ones, or even just to enjoy the day with some indoor playtime. So grab your socks and get ready for a day of fun! 

    Thank you to Happy Kids Playhouse for hosting KAG for a review.

    Day trip idea for Pickens, SC

    Are you looking for other things to do in Pickens, SC? Check out our Day Trip Guide to Pickens, SC for things to do during each season of the year!

    Open Play at Happy Kids Playhouse

    Whether parents are looking to have a playdate, or just need an indoor place for their kids to burn off some energy, Happy Kids Playhouse can help. Open Play is available Wednesday through Friday from 9:00 am until 2:00 pm, and Saturday hours from 10:00 am until 4:00 pm. Saturday hours may vary depending on private party rentals.

    Admission is $10, with additional siblings costing $8.00. Parents and guardians are always free! They also offer free admission for children under age 1 with a paying sibling. Socks are required, so make sure to pack them before you visit. Parents must complete a waiver before their children can safely participate in all the fun. 

    Thursday Tot Time

    Thursdays from 9 am to 1 pm are all about toddlers. They can enjoy all that Happy Kids has to offer, which includes dress-up outfits, a mini grocery store, a trampoline inflatable, large slide inflatables, an obstacle course inflatable bounce house, lots of toys, and more. There is an adorable section of toys that are perfect for babies, so even younger siblings can tag along!

    Friday “Bring a Friend” Deal

    Friday has an excellent “bring a friend” deal, which allows children to bring a friend along for half the price. Each child is $6.00 a piece instead of the usual $10.00 admission cost.

    Mother’s Morning Out

    Coming soon to Happy Kids is a mom’s favorite phrase, Mother’s Morning Out! Once available, parents can drop their children off for a few hours to run errands, grab some coffee, or just sit in the car eating a cheeseburger in peace, listening to music besides the Cocomelon soundtrack.

    Bounce house at Happy Kids in Pickens

    Birthday Parties at Happy Kids Playhouse

    Gone are the days of avoiding the cold, hot, or rainy weather so your child can enjoy their birthday party. Happy Kids Playhouse offers three party packages to choose from, including Basic, Deluxe, and Premier. All children attending the party must bring socks, as shoes are not allowed.

    Additionally, parents must sign a waiver before their child is allowed to participate in the play area activities. For the party room, parents supply food, drinks, and desserts. Refrigeration and microwaves are available. Private parties are available on Saturday and Sunday. Below is everything you need to know to pick the perfect package for your child’s special day. 

    Basic Party Package

    Two-hour party rental for up to 10 children. This package does share the party time with the general public, but a private party room is provided. Happy Kids Playhouse provides supplies including plates, cups, cutlery, napkins, and tablecloths. They also provide a throne for the birthday child. The cost is $250.00 with a $50.00 non-refundable deposit at booking that will be applied to the balance. 

    Deluxe Party Package

    Two-hour party rental for up to 15 children. This package offers a private play place and private party room. Happy Kids Playhouse supplies themed cups, plates, napkins, and tablecloths. They also provide a photo backdrop and three balloon bouquets with this package, along with a throne for the birthday child. The cost is $350.00 with a $100.00 non-refundable deposit at booking that is applied to the balance. 

    Premier Party Package

    Two-hour party rental for up to 20 children. This package also offers private access to the play place and a private party room. Happy Kids Playhouse supplies themed napkins, plates, cups, and tablecloths. They also provide a backdrop, a balloon topper, and balloon table centerpieces. The cost is $475.00 with a $100.00 non-refundable deposit at booking that is applied to the balance.

    Things to Know Before Visiting Happy Kids Playhouse

    • Please bring socks for your kids (and yourself if you plan to play).
    • There are cubbies located at the entrance to store bags, shoes, etc.
    • Food and drink can be brought into the venue but must be consumed at the tables in the back corner.
    • You can enter through the main entrance of The Market at the Mill, or you can go to the left of the market, through the gates, and park near the water tower to enter through the side entrance. The side entrance was recommended for moms trying to avoid meltdowns due to the toy temptation that the market entrance has. 
    • The waiver may be completed online, or you can complete it once you arrive.

    Special Monthly Events at Happy Kids

    Happy Kids Playhouse hosts monthly special events that any kid would love. You can find these events posted on their Facebook page, and each event is different and unique. Special character visits, book readings, and visits from Santa are just some of the upcoming events to look forward to. 

    Happy Kids Playhouse
    225 Pumpkintown Highway Building 3
    Pickens, SC 
    864.556.9601

    Check out our Biggest Birthday Party Guide with over 100 places to host your kid’s next birthday party, all conveniently organized by category!


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    Erin Gorges

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