Greenville area activity level? (Spartanburg, Laurens: appointed, best city, home)

[johnwi]

Greetings...it appears that there is tons of hiking, biking, etc. 30 minutes to 1 hour from Greenville area, but how is the metro area? Meaning is it bike friendly for rides with the kids? how about parks, or walks in the metro area? I guess my question is--is there plenty of active, healthy things to do for us and our kids in the IMMEDIATE greenville area?

Thanks so much for your input!

[myrc60]

Falls Park is downtown; just don't let your kids go in the water; it is dirty and polluted, but it is very pretty. Not far away is the Zoo which I believe is surrounded by Cleveland Park. Furman University has a very nice campus where you could take your bikes or a nice walk. Park behind McAllister Auditorium or go to the other side of campus and park by Paladin Stadium where you will find the most public parking available on campus.

[Art123]

I think you've hit on one of the weak spots of Greenville. If you are coming from some of the cities and towns out West, you may be disappointed in the biking and parks inside the actual city here. For example, I used to live in Fort Collins, CO (a college town, granted) that had a system of bike trails and bike lanes that made it pretty safe to get around on a bike - especially between the very large public parks that were available. There is no such thing here. There are a lot of bicyclists that are serious cyclists that you see headed out to the more rural roads to train. But, you see relatively few commuter and family bicyclists. There are no bike lanes to speak of, and sidewalks are hit or miss from block to block. The public parks are small and not used very much. There is a small outdoor pool near my house, but it is private, has a waiting list, and costs $750 to join.

I live in the North Main area, so that is the area I am speaking about mainly. When I compare Greenville with Fort Collins and its' huge public parks with public (olympic-size) swimming pools, public frisbee golf courses, public skate parks, soccer fields, playgrounds, baseball diamonds, bike paths and bike lanes - Greenville loses out pretty big. Part of it is that land is more scarce here and cities were not planned out and zoned like they were out west, and part of it is cultural.

People here like to brag about the low taxes, but I think people should mention the lack of public parks and services whenever you mention the lack of taxes. I understand there are plans in the works to connect Travelers Rest and Furman U with Greenville (and areas down south of Greenville) with a bike path, but I do not know much about it.

[NoodlesKnowles]

For biking there are very few options in the immediate downtown area.
There are some small trails in falls park, and I think in cleveland park as well??? I'm not a big bike rider but the bartender I work with rides his bike to work everyday and i've never heard him complain about having trouble getting around also Paris mountain st. park is like 7 miles from downtown and has plenty of trails and is beautiful as well.

That being said, have you visited the area yet? Because the "metro" area really isn't that big, so its great to walk around in, and main st. is so small that the traffic isn't moving very fast. I really enjoy downtown for that fact, I understand that they actually shrunk the street down on purpose to give it more character.

Anyway I would love to bike around my neighborhood(if I hadn't given all my bicycles to my young cousins of course) and I do go on long walks frequently with my dog in my area of town, which is about 10-15 minutes outside of Greenville on Saluda lake.

Also I agree with myrc about Furman university, the campus is gorgeous and not far from town at all, and would be great for bike rides! hope this helps a little, take a visit to Greenville, see what you're missing!

[christopherinsc26]

There is always tons of people on bikes at cleveland park. I go there myself very often not to ride bikes but too walk.

[johnwi]

Thanks for the help. One of the biggest issues we have where we live currently is in the inability to walk/bike ANYWHERE. We would love to be in an area where we could walk/bike (with a 3 and 5 year old) to get some basic staples--groceries, park, restuarant, etc. and it is sounding like Greenville/Spartanburg fits the bill. Any insight into areas of those towns, or smaller outlying towns (trav. rest, etc.) that allow for this? I look to checking out the hours of videos Christopherinsc26 posted.

We are planning a trip to see the Upstate area when it is at its worst weather-wise---August.

Thanks so much.

[karyanakyoko]

I live close enough to the downtown zoo that I can actually hear the monkeys scream. I love it. The only problem is that most of the area surrounding the zoo is either really expensive or rundown. I got super lucky. I live on the only blocks in this area (that I am aware of) that isn't rundown or outrageously priced. Basically, if you are coming down Laurens from Haywood, it is the area just before you get to Washington is with the Spinz on the corner. I love the road I live on (Haviland Ave) and the road that connects to it about half way down (Connecticut ?).

Obviously, the zoo is very close by and you can go anytime. Joining the Zoo is pretty cheap ($40ish per year for two adults +children) and you gain admittance to tons of other zoos and aquariums nationwide. Plus the zoo is surrounded by Cleaveland Park:

Playgrounds (Huge ones! My little boy's favorite is the one shaped like a fire truck)

Nature Trails

Bike/Walking Trails

I don't know if they still do, but the SCA (Renaissance Fair Type People) used to practice there sword fighting and jousting type stuff down there.

Frolf Course (Frisbee Golf)

Baseball Diamond

Tennis Courts

Dog Park

I am sure there are other things that I am forgetting. But the point is all of this is more or less in my back yard. I can walk less than a mile from my home and access it anytime I like. Also, if I feel really froggy, Falls park is a good 2 mile walk and downtown is about a mile and a half further in the same distance. I know two adults walking is quite pleasant...I could even see it being fun on bikes, though I have yet to test the theory, but it could be a bit harrowing with kids.

We are within walking distance to the Spinx if need some snacky foods or some other immediate supply and there is a Family Dollar in the opposite direction that is isn't too much further. When we get our oil changed or some other repair on the vehicle, we just leave her at the Firestone and walk the two miles home or go see a movie at the theatre next door.

Anyway, I can only speak for my particular area, because it is the only one I know. I hope this did not come too late and that it is of some use to you. I love the area we are in. I hope whereever you end up, you will do the same.

[g-man430]

Greenville was ranked the best city for walking in South Carolina this year. We ranked #36 out of 500 cities surveyed: http://www.greatergreenville.com/cit...alkingCity.pdf

You may want to check this out too: ::Greenville Recreation District - Swamp Rabbit::

I'm guessing Karyanakyoko is also less than two miles from this which includes Staples and Publix: McBee Station

[p2y2r7o]

You can ride bikes from the Linky Stone children's park to Falls Park and then all the way through Cleveland Park...you can make a long ride out of it if you want. There are other parks as well, along with the path that circles Furman's lake. Check out the link gman posted above to the Swamp Rabbit trail too, there will be a few trails like that popping up within the next couple of years and some of it is already there (one connects to the linky stone park I mentioned).

[Greenville]

Here is a blog you might find interesting. It is by an avid cyclist in Greenville who is very involved on the advocacy side of things. Perhaps he might be someone who can answer your questions.

Bike Greenville