Over the years, Greenville has become known for its parks, recreation and tourism amenities.
The city is currently working with consultants to develop a comprehensive master plan to enhance these key features over the next 10 years. The planning process for the city’s first Parks, Recreation and Tourism Master Plan kicked off in August 2025. Massachusetts-based Agency Landscape + Planning was hired as the project’s consultant.
“For a city of our size, this is going to be very important for us,” said Will Young, the city’s director of Parks, Recreation and Tourism. “It’ll sort of direct us over the next five to 10 years and what we should be doing next.”
Community members recently had the opportunity to provide input on the master plan during a public meeting on March 26 at the Prisma Health Welcome Center in Unity Park. Additional public feedback was gathered during Piedmont Natural Gas Downtown Alive on Thursday and Greenville Heritage Main Street Fridays on March 27 in downtown Greenville.
The project’s consultants will analyze the public feedback and begin drafting the planning document over the next several months. The final master plan is expected to be presented to Greenville City Council for approval in the fall.
Master plan elements
The Parks, Recreation and Tourism Master Plan will outline a clear vision for the city’s parks, trails, green spaces, recreation facilities and event programming over the next decade. This will include ensuring residents and tourists continue to have equitable and inclusive access to these amenities and services.
Strategies for enhancing the city’s trail system will be incorporated in the master plan. Approximately 22 miles of trails are located within the city limits, including portions of the Prisma Health Swamp Rabbit Trail Network.
Jill Dixon, a director at Agency Landscape + Planning, said enhanced trail connectivity has been a common request from residents. Community members have also asked for more amenities along the trails, such as restrooms, benches, drinking fountains and bike racks.
Kraig Robson, a local resident who attended Thursday’s public meeting, said he would like to see the trails widened and have better demarcation between cyclists and walkers. This type of enhancement is planned to be completed along a high-traffic section of the Swamp Rabbit Trail between River Street and Unity Park in the coming months.
In addition, the 10-year master plan will examine where future park and recreational facility investments are needed as the city continues to grow. According to the city, all residents live within a five-minute drive of a park. Approximately 46% of residents live within a 10-minute walking distance of a city park.
Environmental protection guidelines will also be outlined within the Parks, Recreation and Tourism Master Plan. For example, the planning document will further support the city’s efforts to preserve as much as 35% of vacant land as open space, a goal introduced in the GVL2040 Comprehensive Plan. It will also include strategies to improve the resiliency of city parks and amenities when environmental challenges occur such as flooding or extreme heat.
For more information on the master plan, visit greenvillesc.gov/2687/PRT-Master-Plan.
Accreditation Goals
The city of Greenville’s Parks, Recreation and Tourism Department is in the process of achieving accreditation through the National Parks and Recreation Association. PRT Director Will Young said a master plan is required for accreditation, which they hope to complete in 2027.
By the numbers
The city of Greenville’s Parks, Recreation and Tourism Department oversees:
- More than 500 acres of parks and open space
- 39 total parks
- 22 miles of trails
- 47,085 square feet of dedicated indoor recreation facilities
