Major renovations are currently underway in Greenville’s Cleveland Park.
A $3 million project aims to revitalize the park’s playground area next to the Greenville Zoo. New playground equipment, picnic shelters and landscaping will be added, along with enhancements to the Prisma Health Swamp Rabbit Trail.
The city of Greenville broke ground on the playground revitalization project on June 3. Greenville City Councilmember Wil Brasington said the project aims to enhance what has always been a great playground destination for children and families.
Cleveland Park’s playground area and a section of the Swamp Rabbit Trail will be closed while renovations are complete. Brasington encourages families to visit Cleveland Park’s other amenities this summer while the playground renovations are underway.
According to the city, the project is expected to wrap up by the beginning of October.
Park improvements
Minnesota-based Landscape Structures helped the city redesign the playground area in Cleveland Park. Design plans show two new playgrounds, one with age-appropriate equipment for children ages two to five and the other designed for five to 12-year-old children. Playground features include a 27-foot tower with slides, a ninja-style obstacle course and 10 swings with built-in shade.
Children visiting the revitalized playground area will also be able to enjoy new play elements inspired by the Greenville Zoo, such as a “Seek and Find” adventure, animal educational panels and other animal-themed features.
Two new picnic shelters will be constructed on either side of the new playgrounds. The project will also realign walkways, improve the land grading and add new landscaping around the playground area.
In addition, the city plans to realign and widen the portion of the Swamp Rabbit Trail that runs next to the Cleveland Park’s playgrounds. Bike parking and water fountains will also be added at the entrances of the picnic shelters.
The city of Greenville received a $500,000 grant from the Land and Water Conservation Fund for the playground revitalization project. Greenville City Councilmember Dorothy Dowe said the city was required to start the renovation project now due to federal grant’s guidelines.
Additional hospitality tax, neighborhood infrastructure bond and trail funding will be used for the playground revitalization project. Brasington said the project demonstrates the city’s continued investment in its parks and recreational offerings.
Other improvements have been made to Cleveland Park in recent years. The city opened its first inclusive playground in the park September 2025. A $1.66 million renovation was also completed to the park’s recreational courts, creating new tennis, pickleball and basketball courts.
“We’ve got wonderful parks positioned throughout the city,” Brasington said. “Every time we make an investment, every time we make an intentional enhancement on one park, we want to make sure all other parks follow suit and stay at the same level of excellence.”
For more information, visit https://www.greenvillesc.gov/2795/Cleveland-Park-Playground-Renovations.
