Community Profile

Pledge Status

Active

Pledge Date

Friday, March 29, 2024

Program Year

2024

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City of Greenville SC

Greenville, SC

Knox White

Mayor

Pledge Summary

Situated in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Greenville is the major metropolitan area of the Upstate region of South Carolina with a population of over 70,000. Greenville’s reinvigorated downtown serves as the focal point, contributing significantly to the city’s rising reputation as one of the best places to live in the United States. The city features more than 400 acres of parkland, including Unity Park, Greenville’s newest park featuring state-of-the-art playgrounds, expansive green spaces, pedestrian bridges and walking trails and Falls Park on the Reedy River, featuring impressive natural waterfalls, gardens, nature trails and the Liberty Bridge, a striking pedestrian suspension bridge. Adding to the city’s distinctive charm is the Swamp Rabbit Trail, 22-miles of multi-use greenway that traverses along the Reedy River. The City of Greenville takes great pride in its parks and recreation system and the natural environment. Providing habitat for pollinators including Monarch butterflies is important to support the natural ecosystem, public and private gardens, and overall environment. The City of Greenville is committed to saving the monarch butterfly and other pollinators with the signing of the Mayors’ Monarch Pledge.

Community Spotlight

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Reedy River Falls at Falls Park

Far more than a nature lover's paradise, Falls Park on the Reedy, located in downtown Greenville's Historic West End, is one of Greenville's greatest treasures.

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The River Bench at the Commons in Unity Park

The Commons was designed to create a “pedestrian— and family friendly gathering space” where the energy of downtown meets the enjoyment of relaxed entertainment and recreation.

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Legacy Park Gardens

Opened in 2008, Legacy Park was inspired by New York City's Central Park. Nestled in a residential area, the park includes rolling greens, water features, colorful landscaping, playgrounds and paved pathways ideal for walking, jogging and biking.

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The Liberty Bridge at Falls Park

Greenville's unique Liberty Bridge honors Liberty Corporation founder W. Frank Hipp and his children, Francis M. Hipp, Herman N. Hipp, B. Calhoun Hipp, and Dorothy Hipp Gunter for their commitment and contribution to the Greenville community.

Action Items Committed for 2024

Communications and Convening

  • Engage with gardening leaders and partners (e.g., Master Naturalists, Master Gardeners, Nature Centers, Native Plant Society Chapters , other long-standing and influential community leaders) to support monarch butterfly conservation.
  • Create a community-driven educational conservation strategy, initiative, or practice that focuses on and benefits local, underserved residents.

Program and Demonstration Gardens

  • Host or support a native seed or plant sale, giveaway or swap.
  • Plant or maintain a monarch and pollinator-friendly demonstration garden at City Hall or another prominent or culturally significant community location.
  • Convert vacant lots to monarch habitat.
  • Launch or maintain an outdoor education program(s) (e.g., at schools, after-school programs, community centers and groups) that builds awareness and creates habitat by engaging students, educators, and the community in planting native milkweed and pollinator-friendly native nectar plants (i.e., National Wildlife Federation’s Schoolyard Habitats program and Monarch Mission curriculum).
  • Add or maintain native milkweed and nectar-producing plants in gardens in the community.
  • Launch, expand, or continue an invasive species removal program that will support the re-establishment of native habitat for monarch butterflies and other pollinators.
  • Display educational signage at monarch gardens and pollinator habitat.