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A Word from the Director
Our vision to build an $11 million dollar state of the art therapeutic recreation center at Pleasant Ridge Park is going to happen in ways that none of us ever imagined.
Our newest partner is Greenville Hospital System Children's Hospital who has committed $2 million to this project. Collaboration between the Recreation District and the hospital will create a permanent home for Camp Spearhead, a program for children and adults with special needs and disabilities and Camp Courage, a Children's Hospital-led camp for children with cancer and blood disorders.
The District will operate both programs although the medically supervised Camp Courage program will continue to be designed by the Children's Hospital and supervised by Children's Hospital clinicians. The camps will alternate use of the facility. The new Pleasant Ridge Camp & Retreat Center promises to be a national model for excellence in serving these populations. It is slated to open in the summer of 2010.  |
Coming up this Month
Leprechaun O'Gala
 Wee folks ages 2-6 will want to join us on Tuesday, March 17 at the Pavilion from 12:30 - 2:00 pm for some St. Patty's Day fun. We will have lunch with a REAL Leprechaun, ride George the Train, play in the Bounce House, and enjoy games and prizes. This is a great event for grandparents too! Wear your green for good luck!
Pre-registration is required, and can be done by calling 288-6470. The deadline for registration is Friday, March 13. Check out our website for more information. |
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| Getting in the GREEN |
Work on the Greenville Hospital System Swamp Rabbit trail is underway. Please remember that this is still considered a construction zone and not officially open.
The folks at Leopard Forrest Cafe have partnered with us to create a limited edition Trail Traveler Roast. Half of the sales go to the Swamp Rabbit. If you enjoy a good cup of Joe consider visiting this eclectic coffee house on Main Street in Travelers Rest, bring home some coffee, and support the trail project all at the same time. |
| Did you KNOW... |
 We offer 13 summer camps at locations countywide this summer? In addition, we offer summer camp programs at our seven community centers and run an eight week residential program for Camp Spearhead. Our goal is to create memorable experiences for over 1,000 children and adults this year. Visit our website to register your child for camp. |
| Thanks to GHS |
Thanks go out to Greenville Hospital System for their donations of 7 AEDs (Automated External Defibrillators) for our parks. By summer we will have our staff trained on these life saving devices housed at Camp Spearhead, The Pavilion, Lakeside Pool, Westside Aquatic Center, Brutontown, Sterling, Mt. Pleasant, and Freetown Community Centers. |
| Special Olympics |
 The Spring Games, set for April 15 at Furman University, will have additional Special Olympics athletes this year. The Meyers Center and Fountain Inn Elementary School now offer a "Young Athlete Program" that serves children ages 2-7. The school's fifth graders mentor the young athletes. Emphasis is on training and participation to prepare these youth for Special Olympics competition when they become eligible at 8 years of age. |
| We Teach |
This is a brand new program at the community centers offered through Beyond Differences, a local non profit that works on issues ranging from diversity to gang violence. The program moderators are teens under the direction of Paul Guy and the sessions are informal rap groups. In other community center news, Brutontown Center Director Joey Freeman is developing a Youth Service Corp. where participants in the afterschool program will perform community service projects. |
| Cedar Falls |
 We announced last month our plans to develop a Blue Trail and passive park at scenic Cedar Falls in southern Greenville County. Requests for quotes on the design of this unique park went out and within three days the project commanded the attention of design firms from Boston to Florida. This park promises to be one of the most unique in our entire system.
Speaking of the Reedy River...
Our agency would like to welcome Tom Keith as the new director of Friends of the Reedy River. We look forward to working with Tom as we advance our plans for the Cedar Falls site and share his organization's vision to preserve this beautiful natural resource. |
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Ride the Rails |
 Those of you with young children will be happy to learn that George, the children's historic mini train will reopen for the season on April 7. Join us at the Pavilion Recreation Complex from 10:00 am - 12:00 noon as we celebrate the opening. In addition to train rides, children will enjoy balloon animals and inflatables. | |
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