The City of Greenville broke ground on Mayberry Field at Unity Park
Breaking ground for the next baseball greats. | Photo by GVLtoday
There’s new movement on the next phase of Unity Park as the City of Greenville put out a request for proposals for Mayberry Field, a Little League regulation field that will boast grandstand bleachers, a press box, batting cages, dugouts, a bullpen, and a concessions stand.
The history of Unity Park is a story we’ve shared before, bringing together two parks that were once segregated in the past as a place for everyone to come together in the present and future. Today, we’re focusing the lens on the role baseball played where Unity Park now stands.
Though the parks were side-by-side, they looked very different. | Photo by Joe Jordan circa 1954 via The City of Greenville
Mayberry Park
In 1927, the City of Greenville built a park for Black children who weren’t allowed to play in segregated parks. The 15 acres of marshy meadowland, named Mayberry Park, included an athletic field with bleachers and a playground.
Meadowbrook Park
About a decade later, in 1938, half of the land inside Mayberry Park was leased to a Baltimore businessman at no cost to build Meadowbrook Park for Greenville’s all-white Minor League Baseball team — The Greenville Spinners.
The Greenville Black Spinners | Photo via The Greenville Drive
The Greenville Black Spinners — a team of mostly local Black players — started playing their games at Meadowbrook Park on Monday nights when the park wasn’t being used by The Spinners. Until 1967, Sterling High School — a Black high school when local schools were segregated — also played baseball and football in the park when it was available to Black athletes.
Meadowbrook Park burned down in 1972, and according to the Greenville News, a cause was never determined.
Remembering Mayberry and Meadowbrook
In the city’s “Voices of Unity” series, Southernside and West Greenville residents share their memories of Mayberry and Meadowbrook Parks and the influence of baseball on their neighborhoods.
Click the button below to hear about catching foul balls, watching the games, and how Mayberry and Meadowbrook brought the community together.
Paris Sashay | Wednesday, Sept. 6 | 7 p.m. | Comedy Zone Greenville, 221 N. Main St., Greenville | $20 | This “Wild’n Out” star brings her laugh, wit, and style to the stage for one night only.
The Doobie Brothers| Wednesday, Sept. 6 | 7:30 p.m. | CCNB Amphitheatre at Heritage Park, 861 SE Main St., Simpsonville | $35-$149 | “Listen to the Music” of this American rock band.
Learn the Shag | Wednesday, Sept. 6 | 6-10 p.m. | Spare Time Entertainment, 822 Congaree Rd., Greenville | $0-$10 | Join the Carolina Shag Club for a beginner dance class at 6 p.m. and an intermediate class at 6:40 p.m. before a free social dance for dancers of all skill levels.
Thursday, Sept. 7
Monty Python’s “Spamalot” | Thursday, Sept. 7-Sunday, Sept. 24 | Times vary | Greenville Theatre, 444 College St., Greenville | $38-$40 | The 2005 Tony Award-winning Best Musical “Spamalot” tells the story of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table as they go on a quest to find the Holy Grail.
HOTWORX Grand Opening| Thursday, Sept. 7 | 3-7 p.m. | HOTWORX, 1010 Laurens Rd., Greenville | Free entry | This ribbon cutting celebration will feature raffles, local vendors, and the YUM BAI food truck.
Friday, Sept. 8
Greenville Heritage Main Street Fridays | Friday, Sept. 8 | 5:30-9:30 p.m. | NOMA Square, 220 N. Main St., Greenville | Free entry | Groove into the weekend with tunes from rock and funk group Sidecar.
Getting to Know Your Sewing Machine| Friday, Sept. 8 | 7-8:30 p.m. | Mauldin Cultural Center, 101 E. Butler Rd., Mauldin | $20 | Pull your sewing machine out of the closet (or rent a machine for $10) and learn to sew.
Saturday, Sept. 9
Fall Kick Off Market | Saturday, Sept. 9 | 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. | Lichtenfelt Nurseries, 947 Anderson Ridge Rd., Greer | Free entry | Shop local vendors as you stock up on your fall plants.
Waggin’ At The Waterpark| Saturday, Sept. 9 | 9 a.m.-2 p.m. | Discovery Island Waterpark, 417 Baldwin Rd., Simpsonville | $28 | Bring your four-legged friend for a fun-filled day of swimming.
Kids’ Fest at Heritage Green | Saturday, Sept. 9 | 10 a.m.-12 p.m. | Upcountry History Museum, 540 Buncombe St., Greenville | Free | Enjoy a morning of free activities including book giveaways, face painting, hands-on-play, themed crafts, and a chance to meet the Very Hungry Caterpillar.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends that girls have their first gynecology visit between the ages of 13-15. | Photo provided by Prisma Health
An adolescent gynecologist not only provides important medical care, but is also an advocate for a teenager’s health and well-being.
With special training in addressing teen health, adolescent gynecologists can help your daughter:
Be prepared and educated
Most gynecologic visits with teens are primarily a conversation and don’t include a pelvic exam. In addition to learning about birth control, safe sex, and healthy relationships, girls can also privately ask questions. Pro tip: Here’s what to expect during a first visit.
Get menstrual questions answered
OB/GYNs can answer questions and discuss norms regarding menstrual cycles, including irregular, heavy, or painful cycles, and more.
Benefit from establishing an OB/GYN relationship early
OB/GYNs are champions for women’s health. That means your teen establishes a relationship with someone who promotes positive body image and physical + emotional health — the first step in lifelong gynecological care.
The Westin Poinsett is a finalist for a national award honoring “the world’s finest historic hotels and hoteliers.” The “Historic Hotels of America” list was narrowed down from 350+ nominations from across the country, and The Westin Poinsett is one of 15 hotels in the “Best Historic Hotel (201-400 Guestrooms)” category.
Biz
More pizza? Yes, please. Myles’ Pizza extended its hours so you can get even more pizza, cookies, and cheesy garlic bread (City Editor Danielle’s favorite). Swing by Monday 4-8 p.m. (takeout only), Tuesday-Wednesday 11:30 a.m.-8 p.m., Thursday-Friday 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m., and Saturday 3-9 p.m. — it’s still closed Sunday.
Festival
The Korea Center of Greenville will host the inaugural K-Festival at Unity Park this Saturday, Sept. 9 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Get ready to learn about Korean culture as you listen to K-pop music, watch a taekwondo demonstration, and eat Korean food.
Legacy
Red White and Brew Coffee Co. will honor Jimmy Buffet’s legacy on Friday, Sept. 15 at 6:30 p.m. with a tribute concert. Get your best Parrot Head gear and beach chairs ready for margarita + piña colada-flavored slushies and Cheeseburgers in Paradise to honor the singer who passed away Friday, Sept. 1.
Concert
The Greenville Gay Men’s Chorus unveiled its 2023-2024 concert season lineup themed “Love Can Build a Bridge.” Save the dates for “The Holi-gays are Here Again” on Tuesday, Dec. 5 + “O, Love” on Tuesday, June 4 — both at the Greenville Theatre.
Plan Ahead
Palmetto Craft is hosting a warehouse sale at 304 Kerns Ave. on Saturday, Sept. 16 from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Shop Amish-made outdoor furniture (read: Adirondack chairs, swings, and gliders) at sale prices. Pro tip: Greenville City + County employees, healthcare workers, first responders, and members of the military receive an additional 10% off.
Fact or Fiction
Flat feet can cause arthritis — fact or fiction?See the answer.*
Eat
You deserve something delicious this weekend. Put this brunch star together Friday evening, let it sit overnight, then pop it in the oven Saturday morning for a sweet, rich, decadent start to your day.*
Shop
Fall is for refreshing your wardrobe — and making sure your ride looks fresh, too. For a limited time, Autobell is offering the first month of unlimited car washes for just $5 with the purchase of any Unlimited plan.^
Finance
A Banksy got everyday investors 32% returns? You read that right. Thousands of investors are smiling all the way to the bankthanks to the fine-art investing platform Masterworks. Investors have benefited from 16 sales with returns including 13.9%, 27.3%, and 35.0%. Interested? GVLtoday readers canskip the waitlist and join.†*
If you’re looking to support this talented group of up-and-coming filmmakers (who knows, the next Spielberg could be in the lineup), the festival will take place at the Governor’s School at 15 University St. from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
It’s free, but tickets are limited, so click the button below to reserve your seat.
Before you start cheering for your favorite team, make sure you have the perfect game day gear. From sunglasses to earrings, shop Six & Main’s tailgate collection.
Fun Fact
Looking for a new coffee, candle, or moisturizer? We’ve got you covered. Shop some of Six & Main’s new arrivals. There’s something for everyone.
Drink
The internet’s favorite tumbler — the 40-oz. Stanley Quencher — is in stock in cute colors like pool, jade, and orchid.
Health
Four Sigmatic’s organic protein powder is the ultimate smoothie booster. It contains 18 grams of protein and 1500 milligrams of adaptogens per serving — nourishing your mind + body.
Wellness
It doesn’t get more luxurious than the Drowsy sleep mask, which is silky smooth on skin and completely light-blocking for the deepest sleep.
When visiting my family in South Florida for Labor Day weekend, I found Birds Fly South Ale Project’s Days Like This when picking up some poolside cookout essentials. I think a Greenville brewery tour may be on tap the next time they come for a visit, because the BFS brew was a big hit.
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