Unity Park (New 160 Acre West End Park)

[cabelagent]

23 minutes ago, Galley said:

Any word on the observation tower?

It’s probably shrinking every day…hope it’s not a big wooden platform on cement blocks at the end of the day.  

[NewlyUpstate]

1 hour ago, Galley said:

Any word on the observation tower?

I've been following this, what they need is a donor to fund it.  I think they are counting on someone coming through once the park opens - or maybe they are sitting on an announcement to create excitement once it does open.  Either way, if you've noticed, they've left it off many of the maps of the park.  It's probably a couple years away from happening regardless.

The other piece that has been quiet that needs funding is the wetlands portion with raised walkways.

[GvilleSC]

4 hours ago, NewlyUpstate said:

I've been following this, what they need is a donor to fund it.  I think they are counting on someone coming through once the park opens - or maybe they are sitting on an announcement to create excitement once it does open.  Either way, if you've noticed, they've left it off many of the maps of the park.  It's probably a couple years away from happening regardless.

The other piece that has been quiet that needs funding is the wetlands portion with raised walkways.

Where are the wetlands going?

Also, the city said we would hear more about the observation tower at the beginning of this year. I have a feeling they are sitting on a donor announcement, just waiting for the appropriate time. 

[NewlyUpstate]

16 minutes ago, GvilleSC said:

Where are the wetlands going?

Also, the city said we would hear more about the observation tower at the beginning of this year. I have a feeling they are sitting on a donor announcement, just waiting for the appropriate time. 

It looks pretty simple, so it may already be good to go. It does appear the city is working on something in this space.. maybe the parking lot?

 

Also I found this blurb in an article from last year regarding the tower

"The Hughes Agency, which is heading up fundraising efforts, has raised $1.3 million of the anticipated $4.3 million needed for the tower. 

The Hughes Agency will spend April and May preparing marketing materials and working with MKSK to prepare more renderings, then kicking off an 11-month fundraising campaign in July, said spokesperson Bill Fox. That completion presents a date that would coincide with the anticipated opening of the park in April or May 2022. "

 

So actually perhaps they are basically just sitting on an announcement

Edited January 29, 2022 by NewlyUpstate

[GvilleSC]

16 hours ago, NewlyUpstate said:

It looks pretty simple, so it may already be good to go. It does appear the city is working on something in this space.. maybe the parking lot?

 

Also I found this blurb in an article from last year regarding the tower

"The Hughes Agency, which is heading up fundraising efforts, has raised $1.3 million of the anticipated $4.3 million needed for the tower. 

The Hughes Agency will spend April and May preparing marketing materials and working with MKSK to prepare more renderings, then kicking off an 11-month fundraising campaign in July, said spokesperson Bill Fox. That completion presents a date that would coincide with the anticipated opening of the park in April or May 2022. "

 

So actually perhaps they are basically just sitting on an announcement

Thanks for the wetland plan! Yea- the permeable parking lot is basically in, but there are no paths over there yet. I did read that Duke Energy gave $500,000 for the wetland component a while back. 
 

As for the tower, City Council is supposed to be reviewing pricing from Harper and deciding if they’re going wood or metal for the cladding. 

[Danmire]

Observe this space  

[apaladin]

7 hours ago, GvilleSC said:

Thanks for the wetland plan! Yea- the permeable parking lot is basically in, but there are no paths over there yet. I did read that Duke Energy gave $500,000 for the wetland component a while back. 
 

As for the tower, City Council is supposed to be reviewing pricing from Harper and deciding if they’re going wood or metal for the cladding. 

I would go with wood since it will be no higher than a tree house. 

[gman430]

12 minutes ago, apaladin said:

I would go with wood since it will be no higher than a tree house. 

See what $60 million gets you.  Even the visitors center looks bland and boring. No imagination in the architecture of this park whatsoever. Falls Park blows Unity Park out of the water.

Edited January 30, 2022 by gman430

[GVLover]

The north side of the park is largely completed, but I’m curious how much of the original vision for the south side of the park will come to fruition? I never quite realized basketball courts were planned; didn’t the city do a land swap deal with the Kroc Center for the land where said courts are planned according to this site map?

Edited February 8, 2022 by GVLover

[vicupstate]

The city owns the basketball court area where Mayberry Street is. The Kroc Center (Salvation Army) owns some of the land at the Hudson St bridge courts but the city owns the land that the courts appear to be on.  

[GvilleSC]

7 hours ago, GVLover said:

The north side of the park is largely completed, but I’m curious how much of the original vision for the south side of the park will come to fruition? I never quite realized basketball courts were planned; didn’t the city do a land swap deal with the Kroc Center for the land where said courts are planned according to this site map?

How old is this plan? It seems pretty dated. 

[gvegascple]

On 2/8/2022 at 8:36 AM, GvilleSC said:

How old is this plan? It seems pretty dated. 

its from before they decided to axe the gathering hall stage.  There is also park space on the Mayberry side near the crossfit and yoga studio that is not owned by the city.    

[vicupstate]

Unity Park additional parking

 

Unity Park zoning  - increase number of allowed stories to 9

[gman430]

 

[GvilleSC]

[nicholas]

Tossed my bike in my car and drove down to Greenville last weekend.  I was pretty stunned at how many people were out and about, definitely thousands of people on the Swamp Rabbit Trail.  Easily rivaled the rail trail in Charlotte in terms of activity.  I think that this will definitely be one of the best urban parks in the Carolinas once it is complete, really liked how The Commons is integrated so that walkers/cyclists can stop for some food/drinks.  First time in Greenville for me, but definitely won't be the last.

[vicupstate]

I was in UP this weekend too and was likewise impressed with the amount of people.  

[GvilleSC]

6 minutes ago, nicholas said:

Tossed my bike in my car and drove down to Greenville last weekend.  I was pretty stunned at how many people were out and about, definitely thousands of people on the Swamp Rabbit Trail.  Easily rivaled the rail trail in Charlotte in terms of activity.  I think that this will definitely be one of the best urban parks in the Carolinas once it is complete, really liked how The Commons is integrated so that walkers/cyclists can stop for some food/drinks.  First time in Greenville for me, but definitely won't be the last.

Glad you made the trip down to the check things out! Unity Park is money well spent for sure. Happy to hear that you enjoyed your time in our humble city. 

Edited March 10, 2022 by GvilleSC

[gman430]

May 19th. 

[GvilleSC]

The pipe across the river was installed yesterday for the utility burial. 

[distortedlogic]

I don't see how in the world this opens in May. I went by there yesterday and it looks like there is still 6 months of work to be done; it didn't even look close to me.

[vicupstate]

All they have to do is finish the playground and the baseball field. How long can that take? 

[GvilleSC]

20 minutes ago, vicupstate said:

All they have to do is finish the playground and the baseball field. How long can that take? 

I didn't read the schedule of opening events to say that May was the full opening of the park, but that may be misinterpretation on my part. I take it that the splash pad, playgrounds, and probably the green space on the north side of the river will be fully open for public use.

Edited March 16, 2022 by GvilleSC

[SVL]

It doesn't list everything put does mention the playgrounds and splash pad being open then.

https://www.greenvillesc.gov/civicalerts.aspx?AID=2681

What was once "Spring 2022" now has an official date. 

The grand opening for Unity Park, including the playgrounds and splashpad, is scheduled for Thursday, May 19. A park-wide community celebration will be held on Saturday, May 28.

The opening of the 60-acre park will be the culmination of two years of construction to transform a long-neglected area of the city into a world-class destination. Unity Park’s features and amenities are extensive and include:

• Four playgrounds and a water feature
• Three pedestrian bridges crossing the Reedy 
• A nine-acre green space
• An extension of the Swamp Rabbit Trail

Park construction also included the restoration of a half-mile section of the Reedy River and adjacent wetlands.

Additional events planned to celebrate completion of the park include a West Greenville and Southernside Reunion, a Juneteenth celebration and the dedication of a plaza honoring Lila Mae Brock, who dedicated her life's work to the Southernside community.

[distortedlogic]

I am not sure I understand how they are doing the splash pad. It looks like it is just concrete; but water and concrete do not really go together when it comes to running children. Shouldn't it be more of a rubberized or foam surface?  Also, it just looks like a small V shaped section, I envisioned something a little more... creative; something along the lines of the splash feature at the Gardens in Columbia.