Master Planning Process

Located at the geographic center of Greenville County, Lake Conestee Nature Park is a natural oasis in the midst of a rapidly urbanizing area. As recognized by the Clemson Reedy River Corridor Study, Lake Conestee is a key link in any greenway scenario for the most densely inhabited county in South Carolina. The Greenville County Storm Water Task Force also recommended in its final report that a county-wide greenways authority be established to develop recreational programs and protective stream buffers. With the establishment in 2001 of a joint city-county Reedy River Task Force, the completion of a study (with extensive community input) by Clemson University, and the passage of the Tourism, Recreation, and Athletics Coalition (TRAC) Plan in December 2006, this strongly supported conception of a greenways system is moving closer to implementation. The vision proposed by the Clemson working group includes a fleshed-out greenways network, with a major hub at Lake Conestee, and this vision has met with great approval in public forums. The City of Greenville has begun the process of linking parks throughout downtown Greenville, and LCNP is a natural link with these downtown parks to bring an effective greenway into Greenville County.

There is much to be accomplished to complete the Lake Conestee Nature Park vision. In an effort to achieve this vision, as well as maintain interagency cooperation, the Conestee Foundation established a Master Plan Committee that has been meeting regularly since December 2005. The committee is made up of major stakeholders, including the City of Greenville, Greenville County, Greenville County Recreation District, Western Carolina Regional Sewer Authority, Greenville County School District, City of Mauldin, Clemson University, Furman University, University of South Carolina, Donaldson Center, Greenville County Planning Commission and Upstate Forever. The Master Plan Committee’s goal is to work jointly, and with input and consultations through public meetings with environmental organizations and civic groups, to extend our boundaries to 600+ acres, thus creating a joint public access park that also will serve as a major hub to the developing Swamp Rabbit Greenway Trail. The committee is developing specific plans for park infrastructure, recreation features and education programs.

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