How Greenville, SC’s Unity Park was designed to handle flooding

City engineers watched their work get tested to start off 2023.

GVL_Unity_Park_Flood_2_JAN2023

Flash flooding at Unity Park | Photo by the City of Greenville

The chances of rain this week are much lower than the last when Greenville received ~4 inches of rain causing flash flooding, especially in areas around the Reedy River.

GVL_Unity_Park_Flood_JAN2023

What a difference 24 hours can make. | Videos by The City of Greenville

City engineers say there will always be times when a river exceeds its banks, because that’s what rivers do, but it’s about how leaders and engineers can plan ahead to minimize damage:

  • The city built Unity Park in a floodplain because parks recover quickly after taking on water, unlike buildings and other properties.
    GVL_Unity_Park_Flood_Bench_JAN2023

    The bench gives the swelling river a place to go. | Videos by The City of Greenville

  • Along the Prisma Health Swamp Rabbit Trail, engineers designed river benches to give the water a place to go in weather events that cause the river to rise, protecting businesses at The Commons.
  • From Unity Park’s electrical systems to the soil mixture to the furniture and structures to the plants and trees, park designers made design choices that withstand the rising Reedy River.
More from GVLtoday
Whether you’re plunging into icy water, holding a plank on a Megaformer, or basking in red light, wellness in 2026 is about finding what makes you feel good. With so many options popping up around Greenville, we’re sharing where to try these wellness trends.
Let’s take a look at some stats on the history of snow in Greenville
We saw 2025 design trends come to life at the Hispanic Alliance’s 2025 Homes for the Holiday event.
A new 6,800-sqft indoor golf facility with advanced training technology, six simulator bays, and on-site refreshments is opening soon at Greenville’s Judson Mill District.
The Urban Forest Comprehensive Plan will inventory Greenville’s canopy, shape future tree policy, and invite public input starting in 2026.
We’re looking at the request for proposal to bring in an architect for the project, plus other city halls with features that caught our eye.
It’s the first time the Paladins have ever made it to the College Cup.
Our readers have spoken — here are the best local spots our city has to offer, from the best coffee shop to the best apartment complex to the best dentist.
This year brought development updates, restaurant news, and the final pieces of Unity Park, and GVLtoday was there to cover it all. We’re looking back at 2025’s top stories with our fourth-annual GVLtoday wrapped.