Outdoor recreation is a defining characteristic of Greenville.
Thirty-seven parks and around 27 miles of trails can be found within the city for residents and visitors to enjoy. However, Greenville lacks two key recreational spaces for the city’s skateboarding and cycling communities – a public skatepark and pump track.
That may soon change, through the combined efforts of city officials and local enthusiasts.
The closest outdoor skatepark for Greenville’s skateboarders is located at Poe Mill. The skatepark was built by skaters in the early 2000s. However, it will soon be removed with the construction of The Village of Poe Mill, a 428-unit apartment community.
Zach Suggs, founder of Greenville Skate Park Foundation, said the skateboarders in the city deserve a place to go to interact with other skaters and refine their skills.
“This community is so accepting and loving,” Suggs said. “The fact that Greenville does not have any sort of public (skate) park is insane for a city of its size.”
The city is also missing a public pump track. If paved, the track can be used for bicycle motocross, mountain biking or even skateboarding. Nicole Johnson, co-founder of Boyd Cycling, said a public pump track in the city would help get more kids active and introduce them to an activity outside of traditional American sports.
“It’s silly that there’s not one here and there’s been people over the years that have tried to make it happen,” Johnson said.
Making progress
The skateboarding and cycling communities have individually advocated for the creation of a public skatepark and pump track within the city for years. However, it wasn’t until both groups came together that progress was made.
Knox White Jr. formed the Greenville Wheelpark Initiative in January 2022 to be a voice for the skateboarding community. White is the son of Greenville Mayor Knox White. He teamed up with Robert Donovan, founder and CEO of DOM360, to start up conversations with the city about a potential skatepark.
The duo later connected with Johnson whose nonprofit called Moms4Motion focused on advocating for a pump track in the city. The two groups began working together to urge the city to create a wheel park that would settle both of their needs.
“We were working simultaneously trying to, you know, figure things out on our own. Whereas if we can come together and we can educate the community on the positive aspects of both,” Johnson said. “I think that’s just been really powerful.”
The group set up meetings with the city to discuss a potential skatepark and pump track. White said the vision is to create a world-class skatepark and pump track that would be a destination for people of all ages from both in and outside of Greenville.
Conceptual plans for a wheel park in Greenville were included in the city’s Airport District Planning Study. The proposed park includes a skatepark and paved pump track located on 10 acres next to the Greenville Downtown Airport. The city is currently working to move forward with these plans.
“It’s an ideal site and it’s pretty big,” White said. “We’re directly off the Swamp Rabbit Trail. We’re walkable to Gower and to Nicholtown.”
The city budgeted $750,000 in its fiscal year 2023-24 budget to cover a feasibility study and design for the new wheel park. The city’s FY25 budget included $500,000 for the project and an additional $1 million is planned to be budgeted in FY26. Private donations will also be used to create the park.
Calin Owens, the city’s senior mobility coordinator, said a request for proposal will be released for the project’s engineering and design. The design process will include public input and community involvement. He provided Greenville City Council with the update during a work session June 25.
The Greenville Airport Commission owns the property where the wheel park is proposed. Before the project can move forward, the city is working on a lease agreement to use this property.
Beth Brotherton, the city’s director of communications and engagement, said the city is committed to building the skatepark and wheel park because of the community’s longstanding desire for it to exist.
“We want to do this really well because Greenville deserves it,” Brotherton said.
What is a pump track?
A pump track is a a looped circuit that includes bumps and turns – also known as rollers and berms. If used correctly, the bicyclist does not need to pedal but instead completes a pumping motion to move across the track.
“It’s a paved track that has some variations to it that allows anyone of any skill level to become comfortable with riding a bicycle,” said Nicole Johnson, co-founder of Boyd Cycling.
Skatepark architecture
Knox White Jr., founder of the Greenville Wheelpark Initiative, believes skateparks don’t have to be a concrete jungle if designed correctly. His hope is that the city’s skatepark will be designed to correspond with the aesthetic of Greenville and integrate urban art into the space.
“It could be an architectural wonder,” White said. “It really is like having a sculpture garden in your city.”
Current options
Here are some of the current skatepark and pump track locations in the Upstate.
Skateparks
- Poe Mill DIY Skatepark is an outdoor park located in Greenville.
- Companion Skatepark is a private, indoor park located in Greenville.
- Skate Park At Spikes is an indoor park in Fountain Inn.
- Hot Spot Skate Park is a public, outdoor park in Spartanburg.
Pump tracks
- Flying Rabbit Adventures has a private pump track in Greenville. The city of Simpsonville recently purchased this pump track.
- Bike Skills Park at Gateway is a a public, dirt pump track in Travelers Rest.
- Spartanburg BMX is a dirt pump track located in Boiling Springs.
- Clemson Park Pump Track is a public, paved pump track in Clemson.
Physical location
Skateboarding, BMX and mountain biking are all viewed as individual sports. Robert Donovan, founder and CEO of DOM360, explained that the city’s new wheel park would give these people a home where they can build relationships with others.
“To create that camaraderie and spirit, you need a physical location,” Donovan said.
