It’s a century in the making. Unity Park (320 S. Hudson St.), a $76-million, 60-acre park featuring four major play areas, will officially open with a ceremony at 10 a.m. on Thurs., May 19.
For the last 22 months, we’ve watched construction crews transform the land in West Greenville with the Prisma Health Swamp Rabbit Trail running through the park.
We’ve put together the ultimate Unity Park Guide with everything you need to know before you go + what you can’t miss.
Park hours
- 5 a.m.-11 p.m. daily
How to get there
- Driving: Two parking lots are located off Welborn Street (seen on the map above).
- Walking or biking: Unity Park can be accessed from the Prisma Health Swamp Rabbit Trail. (Pro tip: park downtown and ride your bike to the park.)
- Public transportation: Beginning Thurs., June 2, Greenlink will change routes to add service to Unity Park.
Mary Frances Duckett Plaza is right in front of the Prisma Health Welcome Center. | Photo by GVLtoday
What not to miss
Prisma Health Welcome Center
- Located next to The Commons, the Prisma Health Welcome Center is a 10,000-sqft space that houses a self-service first aid station, a lactation room, restrooms + space for community gatherings. It will be open 10 a.m.-6 p.m., unless there’s an event taking place.
Greenville Water Splash Pad
- The Greenville Water Splash Pad —sure to keep the kids cool on a hot day — opens with the park and features 39 jets lining two separate walkways leading up to the play areas.
Play areas
- The TD SYNNEX Playground (for big kids), the Donovan Playground (aka the Tot Lot) + the Betty and Judd Farr Music Garden will be open for playtime. Next to the nine-acre Michelin Green, you’ll also find the Anne Watson Trotter Memorial Garden and the Noel P. McKissick Garden.
Designed by The Heirloom Companies, these unique shelters keep you shady without blocking your views. | Photo by GVLtoday
Picnic shelters
- One of the park’s most unique features, the picnic shelters, are nestled between the Reedy River and Michelin Green. Each shaded structure features two picnic tables. They’re available on a first-come, first-served basis, or, starting Tues., July 5, can be reserved.
Trails + bridges
- In addition to the Prisma Health Swamp Rabbit Trail, there are five Blue Cross Blue Shield of South Carolina walking trails at the park. Peep this map to see the routes.
- The 165-foot Auro Bridge is made of weathered steel + is located in the middle of the park. It’s the largest of three bridges connecting the two sides of the Prisma Health Swamp Rabbit Trail.
- The 110-foot Spinks Bridge was installed closer to Mayberry Street + The Commons. It opened in December, allowing pedestrians to access both sides of the river. (Pro tip: Wrap up your park day with a bite from Golden Brown & Delicious before crossing this bridge for a brew at Southernside Brewing Co.)
- The 70-ft Hagins Family Bridge was installed upstream near Hudson Street and opened for foot and bike traffic in July.
Photo ops
- What’s a day at the park without pics for the ‘gram? These giant, colorful “UNITY” letters (located along Hudson Street) were uncovered at the park’s grand opening + serve as the perfect photo spot.
- This hoppy statue is impossible to miss. You may recognize this 10-foot corten steel sculpture from Artisphere. The piece by Dale Rogers Studio can be found along the Prisma Health Swamp Rabbit Trail near The Commons.
What’s still to come
- Mayberry Field — In 1925, the city opened Mayberry Park for Black children who couldn’t play in the city’s segregated parks. The city plans to build a little league baseball stadium on the land in the next phase of Unity Park. You’ll also be able to find the Love and Hope Basketball Courts in this area.
- Meadowbrook Green — In the 1930s, the city gave half of Mayberry park to build a minor league baseball stadium, eventually named Meadowbrook Park. This will be transformed into a green space.
- Honor Tower—This 10-story observation tower, sitting between Mayberry Field and Meadowbrook Green, will offer park visitors a panoramic view of the downtown skyline to the east and the Blue Ridge Mountains to the west.
- E.B. Holloway Trail — Announced on the eve of the park opening, E.B. Holloway Trail will connect the Southernside neighborhood to Unity Park by creating a walking path on Nassau Street between Meadow and Welborn streets. The trail will feature a history of the park.
- Reedy River Wetlands Preserve — Boardwalks and overlooks will allow park-goers to walk through eight acres of urban wetlands, which help keep Unity Park from flooding + filter harmful pollutants from stormwater. The Duke Energy Wetland Outdoor Classrooms will be located in the wetlands.
Unity Park’s upcoming events
- Grand opening — Thurs., May 19
- CommUNITY Day — Sat., May 28
- Juneteenth Celebration — Fri., June 17
- 4th of July Fireworks — Mon., July 4
