This post is Part Two in the series on The Future of Greenville Developments.
Almost exactly a year ago, Greenville city council voted to move Public Works from it’s current location on the Swamp Rabbit Trail near Hudson Street. This move will cost a massive amount of money – last year’s estimate was $25.6 million – but it’s part of a broader plan for revitalizing that section of Reedy River and the Swamp Rabbit Trail.
The plan is found in a 2013 document known as the Greenville West Side Comprehensive Plan, and in it is a small section dedicated to the tentatively named “City Park.” City Park would utilize the land where the current Public Works facility is located to form a new major “green space” area that some are saying would bring Falls Park some competition.
According to the 2013 concept, City Park would feature:
- A promenade at the intersection of South Hudson Street and Mayberry Street
- A visitors’ center with stage and flag court
- Multi-purpose field and open lawns
- A destination children’s playground
- Basketball courts
- Garden walk and picnic pavilion
- Demonstration and community gardens
- A 20’ wide “fast track” addition to the Swamp Rabbit Trail to the north of the river and a rerouted portion of the trail for more casual use
- Overlook areas
- Bioswale for water retention and water quality
- Parking, restrooms and concessions
- The use of sustainable and energy efficient materials and practices
Earlier this year, the Greenville Journal reported that “Greenville City Council is expected to soon consider a resolution that would commit $2 million a year for construction of City Park.” The article gives additional details on the park, including that it would cost close to $20 million and would include a “sprayground” water feature.
The park could be another great addition to Downtown Greenville, but with a $45 million price tag (if you include the Public Works relocation), there could be opposition to its development. So far, though, besides a single member of the city council, there has been very little opposition, and its development looks inevitable.
With multiple parks already on Reedy River (Falls Park, Lake Conestee Nature Park, and Cedar Falls Park), perhaps the river (and by extension, the Swamp Rabbit) will become a network of parks in the Upstate. Greenville seems to continually find ways to maximize the existing unique geography of the Upstate (especially Reedy River), and City Park is just one more example that seems likely to soon be a reality.