Walking/Jogging

Southern hub of Swamp Rabbit Trail.  Trails designed for walking/ jogging

• All trails can be used for this purpose
• Tourism

• None identified

• Lakebed
• Henderson
• Forrester
• City Parcel
• Landfill

Some trails could be developed only for foot traffic (all trails within lakebed); possible side trails/loops off main stretches to allow separation from bikers

Mountain Biking

Southern hub of Swamp Rabbit Trail.  Trails designed for mountain biking

• Allow additional uses of park trails
• Tourism

• Damage to trail network
• Additional signage to label areas where biking is permitted

• Henderson
• Forrester
• City Parcel

Allow on designated trails

School Field Trips

Classroom visits to park; could include equipment lockers (dip nets, waders, gloves); tour the park and/or take samples for field or in-class observation

• Increased awareness and use of park facilities
• Develop partnership with Greenville County School District and individual schools
• Opportunities for funding

• Groups could be disruptive to passive users and wildlife
• Careless sampling could cause damage and be a liability
• Would require additional staff to develop programs and lead trips

• Lakebed
• Henderson
• Forrester Overlook
• City Parcel

Careful control would be necessary. All participants would need to sign liability waivers. Water sampling should be restricted to more advanced classes.

Focus on middle and high school levels

Environmental Education Complex

Main education facility with classrooms, meeting rooms, conference facility, office space, labs, etc.

• Allow additional classes to visit
• Meeting spaces can be used by other organizations (rental)
• Lab facilities allow for more advanced research
• Corporate/Municipal /Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO)/ retreats and community events

• Additional staff needed for expanded facilities and programs

• Forrester

• Events by outside organizations to be organized by partner/sponsor organization; CF would only provide facility

Outdoor Classrooms

Small structure or pavilion to provide seating and a work area for students; anything from picnic shelters to an outdoor laboratory

• Enclosed area for demonstrations and to organize students
• Allows students to participate in field studies
• Store equipment (microscopes, water testing materials, etc.)
• Provides shelter in case of bad weather

• Security issues— keep structures secure when not in use

• Taylor’s Island (pole barn structure)
• Henderson- barn-like structure (smaller satellite location with classroom and lab)
• City Parcel- low priority

Bird and Wildlife Observation

Passive observation of animals from trails and decks

• Tourism – park has become a highly used site by regional bird watchers
• Partnerships with local wildlife groups

• Straying from approved trail network

• All open trails and observation decks

“Research passes” are available to give select visitors permission to utilize closed trails. Park boundaries should be clearly marked.

Picnicking

Picnic tables and shelters for picnickers

• Tourism- areas to rest and eat during visit to park
• Meeting areas for school groups and other organizations

• Require more frequent cleanup

• Henderson
• Forrester
• City Parcel
• Landfill

Number of tables/shelters should be proportional to size of parcel

Dog Park

An area of land set aside to allow dogs to run and play off-leash

• Much needed amenity in County/City
• Social/gathering area

• Damage to property
• Liability- dog fights/attacks
• Dog waste (close proximity to Reedy River)

• Landfill

The area should be large enough to avoid conflict between dogs. It should be fenced off from other activities. A dog waste disposal area should be maintained and users should be encouraged to clean up after pets.

Link to Donaldson (biking)

Paved trail connecting Lake Conestee Nature Park (LCNP) to Donaldson (Perimeter Rd.).  Component of Swamp Rabbit Trail Hub

• Tourism - additional users (road bikes) – Perimeter Rd. currently active bike training area
• Connection to Michelin- increase park usage by employees

• None identified

• Hendricks Property

Purchase Hendricks Property, then consider connection (and possible bike lanes along Perimeter Rd. through a SC Department of Transportation grant)

Frisbee golf

A course is designed with trees or targets/baskets as “holes” to throw a Frisbee at

• Easy to set up and inexpensive to maintain
• Growing number of participants
• Tourism - possibility for tournaments (fundraising)

• Get in the way of other visitors

• Landfill (old borrow pit)

Boating

Canoe or kayak

• Allow better access to areas around the lake
• Participate in Paddlefest
• Partnerships with local boating organizations

• Liability associated with water sports and water/sediment contact
• Possible damage or disruption of sediments

• Lake/River

Boating should be allowed by special permit only, primarily education/research, or possibly for special events.

Ropes Course

High or low ropes; series of challenging, problem-solving activities designed to develop leadership, communication and teamwork skills

• Team building events (schools/corporate/go-vernment/NGO groups)
• Opportunity for camps/retreats
• Income generating

• Liability
• Obstruct views; unsightly
• Require trained staff

• City Parcel

Would need to be approved by GCRD; to be operated and maintained by GCRD staff; low priority

Demonstration/ Model Gardens

Carolina Fence Garden, Certified backyard habitat, Rain garden, etc.

• Eco-tourism
• Provide example for visitors of how they can design their own property in an environmentally-sensitive manner
• Outreach and education
• Partnerships with other organizations

• Requires maintenance
• Design work needed

• Forrester

To be led by partner organization

Organic Community Gardens

Organic garden plots (generally vegetables and herbs) maintained by local community members and/or school groups

• Opportunity for additional community support
• Good project for school group
• Fundraising opportunity
• Partnership with local garden clubs/organic food organizations
• Allow personal plots for individual gardening

• Requires regular attention; strong volunteer base or dedicated school group
• Would need staff or volunteer/ partner organization to take lead

• Henderson
• Forrester

Assess community interest

SC Native Plant Society Gardens

Research and display plots for use by SC Native Plant Society members and for tourist destination

• Eco-tourism
• Outreach and education opportunities
• Re-vegetation along trails with native plants

• None identified

• Landfill
• Henderson
• Forrester

To be managed by SC NPS

Wildlife Rehab Shelter

Shelter and office space to rehabilitate injured animals

• Much needed facility for this organization
• Educational opportunities

• None identified

• Landfill
• Henderson (Fork Shoals house)

To be led by partner organization

Recycling Center

New recycling facility designed and paid for by City of Greenville

• Outreach opportunities
• Build on partnership with City
• Link with Wenwood soccer fields (active recreation)

• None identified

• Mauldin Rd. across from Forrester

To be led by City of Greenville

Art Exhibits

Permanent or temporary displays within the park

• Broaden scope of educational offerings
• Partner with art-based organizations
• Fundraising opportunity (art show)
• Outreach
• Tourism

• Detract from natural look of park along trails

• Landfill
• Forrester

To be led by partner organization; only on landfill or near entrance

Memorial Park

Memorial plots are purchased to be placed within park (tree, boulder, etc.)

• Provide alternative to traditional burial
• Generate funds
• Natural area for family to remember deceased
• Natural markers would not be noticeable

• Maintain list of markers/locations
• Close area of park for memorial ceremony?

• City Parcel

No actual burials; GPS could be used to locate markers

Farmer’s Market

Allow space at park for sale of local produce

• Venue for sale of local produce
• Bring in visitors who may not otherwise know about LCNP
• Outreach opportunity
• Tourism

• Would require a lot of planning

• Forrester
• Landfill

Would need to be led by partner organization

Private Functions (reunions, weddings)

Area of park that can be rented to hold private events

• Generate funds
• Natural setting for functions
• Tourism

• Keep track of rentals (additional staff time)
• Maintenance/ cleanup after events

• Henderson
• Forrester

Assess interest