Reedy River Falls Historic Park & Greenway

In 1768, Greenville’s first European settler, Richard Pearis, established a trading post at the base of Reedy River’s 28-foot waterfall. When he sided with the British during the American Revolution he found his business and family had vanished upon his post-war return to Greenville. In the 19th century the land along the Reedy River became crowded with corn, grist and saw mills among other industries and in 1852, Furman University bought the land.

Recognizing the importance of this natural asset to the area, Carolina Foothills Garden Club set out to reclaim the Reedy River. In 1967 the club requested that Furman deed six acres of land to the city of Greenville to develop a park which began a successful public-private partnership to revitalize and transform the city. The 1975 Founders Fund Award went to the development of Reedy River Falls Park & Greenway. Encouraged by the award and positive community response, the club secured funding for another five acres making possible additional landscaping as well as the restoration of Falls Cottage, a small house of the 1890’s era which is the featured gateway entrance to the park.

Falls Park on the Reedy has grown to 21 acres and is one of Greenville’s greatest treasures. Visitors enjoy botanical displays, sculpture and natural beauty throughout the park. In partnership with the city of Greenville, Carolina Foothills Garden Club has supported the development of this award-winning oasis in the city.