Falls Park on the Reedy|A Nature Lover's Paradise in Greenville, SC

Falls Park is a garden lover’s dream….

I admit that this is the first time I actually stopped in Greenville, SC. We travel up Interstate 85 frequently heading towards North Carolina and Maryland to visit relatives.  Greenville is only 2.5 hours away from us so when we make our 12 hour trip to Maryland, we usually do not stop so soon into our trip. Last week, Mark and I meet up with my sister  in Greenville who was visiting some in-laws in Charleston. We looked for a nice spot to rendezvous and Mark discovered Falls Park located on the Reedy River in the historic west end district in Greenville, SC.

This park was a wonderful place to visit and rest. Of course, the main attractions are the Falls and the Liberty Suspension Bridge. My boys immediately headed to the river so they can wade in it.There were many people cooling off in the river and picnicking on the shady river bank.

Perhaps the most striking feature I noticed about the park was the attractive plant combinations. Since the park is along the Reedy River, most of the landscape is sloped and the park is a prime example of sloped landscaping done well! The park is run by a staff of seven gardeners and they maintain 20 acres of gardens!

 

The park landscapers do a great job mixing shrubs, flowers and rocks along the slopes.  The flagstone walkways guide you through the park at a steady incline and eventually to the river and suspension bridge. There are several open green spaces to let the kids stretch their legs and play. As you walk around, there are benches tucked amongst the plantings; there is a spot to rest and take in the scenery around every corner!

 

The two spots I like the best at Falls Park was this stone wall with ferns:

and this tree on a slope with exposed roots:

Some things you should know before you visit Falls Park:

• Falls Park is open from 7 am to 9 pm daily and there is no admission fee.
• There is free street parking in downtown Greenville (2 hrs only). There is also paid parking available next to the park.
• Falls Park is pet-friendly, but pets must be kept on a leash.
• There are several picnic areas through out the park…pack a lunch!
• There are theatrical events at the Falls Park Amphitheater (Shakespeare performances in the summer). Check the events calender on their website.

Also, if you have never toured historic Greenville you should! It’s a gorgeous little city! There are cute little shops and restaurants and musicians performing on the street. The town is clean and maintained well. For a city excursion without the hustle and bustle of a big city, Greenville is the spot to visit! Of course, if the city life is not for you, a short walk to Falls Park will have you in a garden paradise in minutes! Needless to say,looks like Greenville will become a frequent stop on our travels from now on!