Recent History

In Greenville's early history, Reedy River Falls played a prominent role in Greenville's growth and quality of life. In the mid-20th century, however, the river and surrounding land experienced a severe decline. The water was polluted and the grounds were littered with river debris and trash. In 1960, the Camperdown Bridge was built across the falls, obstructing public view and creating a barrier to public access. The bridge stood over the falls for more than 40 years.

In 1967, the Carolina Foothills Garden Club, with support from the City of Greenville and Furman University, set out to bring the falls back to life. Furman University donated six acres surrounding the falls to the City, which in turn agreed to create and maintain a park.

In the mid-1980s, the Carolina Foothills Garden Club and the City of Greenville adopted a master plan for the park that was designed to restore the beauty of the area and provide a safe and welcoming gathering spot for individuals and groups.

The vision for a dramatic public garden was finally realized when the Camperdown Bridge was removed in 2003. Using funds generated through a local hospitality tax, and building on the master plan designed in 1999 by landscape architect Andrea Mains, Falls Park was developed to include 20 acres of gardens showcasing Reedy River Falls. In August 2002, Mayor Knox White announced "In Full Bloom in 2003," a $13 million initiative to transform the park into a public garden and oasis. Included in the project was construction of a 355-foot-long, 12-foot-wide, curved suspension bridge that was designed by world-renowned architect Miguel Rosales to provide dramatic views of the upper falls and the gardens below. Additional designs called for a new park building with two levels of plazas, a private restaurant, public restrooms and the garden's maintenance facility to be located on the South Main Street end of the bridge.