Historic Natural Resources Trust updates committee on parkland and wetland projects, seeks quick purchase for Southside Park addition

Representatives of the Greenville County Historic Natural Resources Trust updated the Committee on Finance about projects under consideration in the trust’s August grant cycle, including two additions to Paris Mountain State Park, a wetlands acquisition near Unity Park and a time‑sensitive offer to add land to Southside Park.

Trust leadership told the committee their organization makes three grant‑cycle presentations to the county each year. Over its first four years, the trust said it has helped bring nearly 2,400 acres into county or state ownership, added acreage to state and county parks, and supported conservation easements. Trust presenters said their average return on county investment has been roughly $5 for every county dollar, though they cautioned rising land prices make future leverage more difficult.

Trust staff outlined three projects that will go to the trust board: two parcels that together add about 23 acres to Paris Mountain State Park’s Pitsipaewa Passage — a combined proposed trust investment of $330,000 against a roughly $1 million combined value — and Project 40, the Long Branch Creek Wetlands Complex, which would add about 17 acres adjacent to city‑owned land northwest of Unity Park and aim to improve stormwater retention and community resilience. The trust said a private donor has pledged $100,000 toward the wetlands project through the Community Foundation of Greenville; other past funders included the South Carolina Conservation Bank and Greenville Women Giving.

The trust also described a special, time‑sensitive request from county staff to move on a parcel adjacent to Southside Park. Trust presenters said the owner accepted a verbal offer and that the trust will ask its executive board to consider funding 100% of the acquisition because the parcel immediately abuts existing parkland and would otherwise likely be developed. Trust and county staff said the property is not eligible for matching from the South Carolina Conservation Bank because it is an active park addition rather than a purely natural resources acquisition.

Parks staff said the county is renovating Southside Park and that the parcel could add a second entrance, parking and stormwater improvements, and that master planning is underway to determine final uses.

Ending: The trust will bring the July/August projects to its board for approval and return to committee in the next report cycle; the Southside Park parcel is being pursued on an expedited schedule and may be funded in full by the trust.