Soccer in the outfield -- teams practice anywhere
The Greenville News - Greenville, S.C.
Author: Ishmael Tate
Date: Nov 14, 2003
Start Page: A.11
Section: A Section
Text Word Count: 485
Document Text
Sport's growth strains county's rec facilities
By Ishmael Tate
STAFF WRITER
itate@greenvillenews.com
Soccer has grown; the number of fields has not kept pace.
Foothills Premier Soccer Club, the third largest organization in Greenville County, only had one field at Northside for their under-12 through under-18 teams, said president Jay Crane, 34.
His teams used the baseball outfields at Gateway park and Westside park.
"It was a bear to get that many people on three or four little areas. The county assigned all the teams basically an hour and half or two hours of time to practice on patches of grass," he said.
It's common to use baseball outfields for soccer fields, said Dan Rodgerson, the recreation district's executive director. The district has 24 soccer fields, and to preserve game fields, teams generally do not practice on them, he said.
Although plans for eight to 10 more athletic fields are in the works, the district is struggling to keep up with Greenville's growth, he said. "The No. 1 need that sufaced from a study commissioned by the County Council was more athletic fields," he said.
Foothills coaches used cones and bookbags to mark unlined fields, Crane said. They often shared the fields with three to five other teams.
"Name any field around here and we've been there," said soccer dad David Masters, 45. "We've always had to change fields."
Their teams have traveled to Furman University, churches and even as far away as Greer to practice, said parent Cindy Davis. A central place where soccer teams could have a complex would be ideal, Masters said.
Soccer teams have to share fields with football, baseball and adults playing after work, said parent Eddie Landreth, 36.
"Plus, football is king up here, so when the season starts we've got a time conflict," he said.
Ideally, fields would rest between seasons to maintain quality, Landreth said. With constant practices and games on the fields, that doesn't happen, he said.
Andrew Hyslop, 36, director of coaching for Greenville Futbol Club, said the club's 1,100 players play on fields at Wenwood Soccer Complex, East Riverside Park and Sunset Park in Mauldin, but still need more, he said.
"We would love to have four fields to better serve our members," he said.
St. Giles soccer teams have access to 10 fields, said Pearse Tormey, the executive director. Those 10 fields can equal between 16 and 18 fields for younger teams and the club will eventually add two more full size fields, he said.
"Some people think the kids think they should just play games. If the kids can't train and practice, they're not going to get a whole lot better," he said.
Ishmael Tate can be reached at 298-4020.
Cutline:
TANYA ACKERMAN / Staff
At Northside County Park: Jay Crane, 34, president of Foothills Premier Soccer Club, coaches on the outfield of a baseball field with Jorge Jaramillo, left, and Zachary Masters.
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Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Chamber announces Leadership Greenville class - Dan Rodgerson
Chamber announces Leadership Greenville class
The Greenville News - Greenville, S.C.
Date: Aug 24, 2003
Start Page: X.7
Section: Upstate Business
Text Word Count: 361
Document Text
The Greater Greenville Chamber of Commerce has selected members for Leadership Greenville's 30th class. They include:
Steve Abernathy, Piedmont Natural Gas; Mike Armor, SYS Constructors Inc.; Jeff Balck, Black Forest Marketing LLC; Steve Balzer, Ernst & Young LLP; Michael Batchelor, Greenville Hospital System; Gina Boulware, Soby's New South Cuisine; Terence Brooks, Greenville County Sheriff's Office; Cindy Brothers, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation; Chet Chea, 13th Judicial Circuit; Mike Coggin, South Carolina Bank and Trust; Mark Cothran, office of Rep. Jim DeMint; Murray Dodd, Greenville Water System; and Barry Finkelstein, Erwin-Penland Inc.
Also, Bruce Forbes, United Ministries; Jamie Francis, Leatherwood Walker Todd & Mann PC; Julie Franklin, City of Greenville; Bryan French, Johnson Controls Inc.; Anne Genevieve Gallivan, American Heart Association, S.C. Affiliate Inc.; Mike Gambrell, City of Greenville; Doris Haley, Professional Healthcare Services; Jennifer Hincapie, Sullivan Co. LLC; Brice Hipp, Alliance for Quality Education; Christina Hunter, Greenville County Schools; Dan Jaeger, YMCA Eastside Family Branch; and James Jones, Bank of America.
And, Chris Kelly, Gallivan, White & Boyd PA; David Lominack, Carolina First Bank; Colin Martin, Mace Marketing Group; Amy Mathis, Greenville Technical College; Horace McCormick, Michelin North America Inc.; James McKissick, Merrill Lynch; Drew Medlyn, Chamber of Commerce; Terrell Mills, Wyche, Burgess, Freeman, & Parham PA; Lee Palms, Marsh USA Inc.; Renata Parker, Stone International LLC; Mike Posey, United Way of Greenville County; and Judith Prince, University Center of Greenville.
Also, Dan Rodgerson, Greenville County Recreation District; Karen Schwartz, Bon Secours St. Francis Health System; Susan Schwartzkopf-Deane, The Greenville News; Steve Shafer, Fluor Daniel; Gant Sowinski, Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd PA; Steve Spinks, The Spinx Co. Inc.; Dale Stewart, Mitsubishi Polyester Film LLC; Kris Strasser, Ogletree Deakins Nash Smoak & Stewart PC; Travers Tapper, Goodwill Industries of Upper S.C. Inc.; Mike Teachey, T.B.G. Inc.; John Uprichard, FGP International; Rand Wilson, BB&T of South Carolina; and Curtice Winsch, Wachovia.
Participants are chosen based on their community involvement and personal achievements.
Leadership Greenville was created in 1973 to develop informed, committed and qualified individuals capable of providing dynamic leadership for Greenville County. Class members participate in 10 months of educational and skill-building exercises. Also, the class chooses a project that benefits the Greenville community.
Leadership Greenville is a program designed and facilitated by the Greenville Chamber to help develop informed, committed and qualified leaders for Greenville County. By taking an intensive look into the issues affecting Greenville County, Leadership Greenville prepares and motivates participants to provide quality, dynamic leadership within the area. Since the program began in 1973, there have been approximately 1,650 participants. Many alumni have served in key leadership positions within their businesses and organizations, as well as city council, county council, school board, members of Congress and judges. Leadership Greenville requires a 10-month commitment. Participants are selected through an application process based upon their past involvement in the community and their ability to set and achieve high personal goals. New classes embark each year on a journey to understand the inner-workings of our area, including Managed Growth and the Economy, Quality of Life, Human Services, Local Government, Justice, Education and State Government.Each class selects a project or projects to meet a need in the area. Class Projects are chosen based on proposals submitted by class members, as well as nonprofit Chamber-member organizations.
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10/12/2011
The Greenville News - Greenville, S.C.
Date: Aug 24, 2003
Start Page: X.7
Section: Upstate Business
Text Word Count: 361
Document Text
The Greater Greenville Chamber of Commerce has selected members for Leadership Greenville's 30th class. They include:
Steve Abernathy, Piedmont Natural Gas; Mike Armor, SYS Constructors Inc.; Jeff Balck, Black Forest Marketing LLC; Steve Balzer, Ernst & Young LLP; Michael Batchelor, Greenville Hospital System; Gina Boulware, Soby's New South Cuisine; Terence Brooks, Greenville County Sheriff's Office; Cindy Brothers, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation; Chet Chea, 13th Judicial Circuit; Mike Coggin, South Carolina Bank and Trust; Mark Cothran, office of Rep. Jim DeMint; Murray Dodd, Greenville Water System; and Barry Finkelstein, Erwin-Penland Inc.
Also, Bruce Forbes, United Ministries; Jamie Francis, Leatherwood Walker Todd & Mann PC; Julie Franklin, City of Greenville; Bryan French, Johnson Controls Inc.; Anne Genevieve Gallivan, American Heart Association, S.C. Affiliate Inc.; Mike Gambrell, City of Greenville; Doris Haley, Professional Healthcare Services; Jennifer Hincapie, Sullivan Co. LLC; Brice Hipp, Alliance for Quality Education; Christina Hunter, Greenville County Schools; Dan Jaeger, YMCA Eastside Family Branch; and James Jones, Bank of America.
And, Chris Kelly, Gallivan, White & Boyd PA; David Lominack, Carolina First Bank; Colin Martin, Mace Marketing Group; Amy Mathis, Greenville Technical College; Horace McCormick, Michelin North America Inc.; James McKissick, Merrill Lynch; Drew Medlyn, Chamber of Commerce; Terrell Mills, Wyche, Burgess, Freeman, & Parham PA; Lee Palms, Marsh USA Inc.; Renata Parker, Stone International LLC; Mike Posey, United Way of Greenville County; and Judith Prince, University Center of Greenville.
Also, Dan Rodgerson, Greenville County Recreation District; Karen Schwartz, Bon Secours St. Francis Health System; Susan Schwartzkopf-Deane, The Greenville News; Steve Shafer, Fluor Daniel; Gant Sowinski, Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd PA; Steve Spinks, The Spinx Co. Inc.; Dale Stewart, Mitsubishi Polyester Film LLC; Kris Strasser, Ogletree Deakins Nash Smoak & Stewart PC; Travers Tapper, Goodwill Industries of Upper S.C. Inc.; Mike Teachey, T.B.G. Inc.; John Uprichard, FGP International; Rand Wilson, BB&T of South Carolina; and Curtice Winsch, Wachovia.
Participants are chosen based on their community involvement and personal achievements.
Leadership Greenville was created in 1973 to develop informed, committed and qualified individuals capable of providing dynamic leadership for Greenville County. Class members participate in 10 months of educational and skill-building exercises. Also, the class chooses a project that benefits the Greenville community.
Leadership Greenville is a program designed and facilitated by the Greenville Chamber to help develop informed, committed and qualified leaders for Greenville County. By taking an intensive look into the issues affecting Greenville County, Leadership Greenville prepares and motivates participants to provide quality, dynamic leadership within the area. Since the program began in 1973, there have been approximately 1,650 participants. Many alumni have served in key leadership positions within their businesses and organizations, as well as city council, county council, school board, members of Congress and judges. Leadership Greenville requires a 10-month commitment. Participants are selected through an application process based upon their past involvement in the community and their ability to set and achieve high personal goals. New classes embark each year on a journey to understand the inner-workings of our area, including Managed Growth and the Economy, Quality of Life, Human Services, Local Government, Justice, Education and State Government.Each class selects a project or projects to meet a need in the area. Class Projects are chosen based on proposals submitted by class members, as well as nonprofit Chamber-member organizations.
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10/12/2011
County parks get seed money from bonds - Dan Rodgerson
County parks get seed money from bonds
The Greenville News - Greenville, S.C.
Author: Jason Zacher
Date: May 8, 2003
Start Page: B.2
Section: Suburbs
Text Word Count: 389
Document Text
$1.8 million in sales will fund improvements, new playing fields
By Jason Zacher
STAFF_WRITER
jzacher@greenvillenews.com
Eight Greenville County parks will receive a total of $1.8 million in renovations and additions in an effort to ease the strain caused by their popularity.
The sale of the bonds was tentatively approved by the county council Tuesday night, and the plan was unveiled Wednesday.
Seven of the parks getting upgrades are: Pittman Park, Westside Park, the Pavilion, Southside Park, Lakeside Park, Butler Springs and the Sterling Community Center.
The bulk of the money will go to the eighth park: new fields in the Blue Ridge area, where the Greenville County Recreation District will spend $500,000 to develop playing fields for the Blue Ridge Youth Association.
Another half-million dollars will go to Pittman Park.
The bonds were sold after Greenville County voters said "no" to a sales tax increase to improve the parks.
A year ago, the county spent about $100,000 on a parks study by the Woolpert consulting firm that concluded that the county has too few parks and recreation facilities to meet the growing demand from suburban residents and youth sports clubs.
If the proposal had been implemented, the county would have received 12 new parks, 30 miles of greenways and $10 million in renovations for a total price tag of $97 million.
"The voters were clear that we weren't ready to bite off that much," said Phyllis Henderson, chairwoman of the Greenville County Council.
Wednesday's bond money will be used to construct 10 new fields.
"The Woolpert study showed there was a really dramatic shortage of fields, but we are doing what we can with the resources that we have," said Daniel Rodgerson, director of the Greenville County Recreation District.
Other major projects include:
+Additional soccer fields at the Pavilion and Westside Park.
+Replacements of playgrounds at the Sterling Community Center, Westside Park and Butler Springs.
The bonds will be sold by the county and will count against the county's debt limit.
A homeowner with a $100,000 home will pay 80 cents each year for the next 20 years to pay off the bonds.
"At the end of the day, we need money," Henderson said. "We're just going to have to figure out a creative way to do it."
Jason Zacher covers Greenville County and can be reached at 298-4272.
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10/12/2011
The Greenville News - Greenville, S.C.
Author: Jason Zacher
Date: May 8, 2003
Start Page: B.2
Section: Suburbs
Text Word Count: 389
Document Text
$1.8 million in sales will fund improvements, new playing fields
By Jason Zacher
STAFF_WRITER
jzacher@greenvillenews.com
Eight Greenville County parks will receive a total of $1.8 million in renovations and additions in an effort to ease the strain caused by their popularity.
The sale of the bonds was tentatively approved by the county council Tuesday night, and the plan was unveiled Wednesday.
Seven of the parks getting upgrades are: Pittman Park, Westside Park, the Pavilion, Southside Park, Lakeside Park, Butler Springs and the Sterling Community Center.
The bulk of the money will go to the eighth park: new fields in the Blue Ridge area, where the Greenville County Recreation District will spend $500,000 to develop playing fields for the Blue Ridge Youth Association.
Another half-million dollars will go to Pittman Park.
The bonds were sold after Greenville County voters said "no" to a sales tax increase to improve the parks.
A year ago, the county spent about $100,000 on a parks study by the Woolpert consulting firm that concluded that the county has too few parks and recreation facilities to meet the growing demand from suburban residents and youth sports clubs.
If the proposal had been implemented, the county would have received 12 new parks, 30 miles of greenways and $10 million in renovations for a total price tag of $97 million.
"The voters were clear that we weren't ready to bite off that much," said Phyllis Henderson, chairwoman of the Greenville County Council.
Wednesday's bond money will be used to construct 10 new fields.
"The Woolpert study showed there was a really dramatic shortage of fields, but we are doing what we can with the resources that we have," said Daniel Rodgerson, director of the Greenville County Recreation District.
Other major projects include:
+Additional soccer fields at the Pavilion and Westside Park.
+Replacements of playgrounds at the Sterling Community Center, Westside Park and Butler Springs.
The bonds will be sold by the county and will count against the county's debt limit.
A homeowner with a $100,000 home will pay 80 cents each year for the next 20 years to pay off the bonds.
"At the end of the day, we need money," Henderson said. "We're just going to have to figure out a creative way to do it."
Jason Zacher covers Greenville County and can be reached at 298-4272.
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10/12/2011
Water park crowds overflowing - Dan Rodgerson
Water park crowds overflowing
The Greenville News - Greenville, S.C.
Author: E Richard Walton
Date: Jul 3, 2005
Start Page: B.17
Section: Metro
Text Word Count: 862
Document Text
Expect long lines when visiting Discovery Island
By E. Richard Walton
STAFF WRITER
rwalton@greenvillenews.com
Missy Johnson of Simpsonville has surveyed the Discovery Island water park, and she takes her hat off to Greenville County's recreation officials for building it.
She likes the snazzy venues, such as slides for kids to glide from three stories above the park to a series of small pools. Its organized chaos makes the kids shriek with happiness.
"It's great entertainment for the Simpsonville-Mauldin area," she said.
There's just a small problem, she said Saturday. "It definitely needs to be bigger."
She brought her daughter Erika and a friend, Victoria, both 12.
The park, which cost about $2.4 million, quickly reaches its 800-person capacity most days, water park officials said.
While the wait Saturday was an average 10 minutes in the midday heat, kids and their parents waited in lines for more than an hour two Saturdays ago.
"We only waited about 10 to 12 minutes," Johnson said this weekend.
Johnson said the park is so successful it's drawing people from surrounding areas, compounding overcrowding.
"I'm from Laurens," she said. "I've seen people (in the park) from there."
At 3 p.m. Saturday, the park was at its capacity. The wait to get in lasted about 15 minutes. Joy Anderson said she brought her niece, Emma, age 3, to Discovery Island, but her wait wasn't tedious.
"You don't wait for too long," she said of their first visit.
Families who arrange parties and other prearranged gatherings are not required to wait in line.
Discovery staffers said there were more visitors in the park earlier Saturday.
"We were really packed earlier," Discovery park worker Kristen Ferri said.
"It's really busy every day," co-worker Joy Strickler said. "The more people hear about it, the busier it will become."
Dan Rodgerson, head of the Greenville County Recreation District, could not be reached for comment about future plans for the water park.
Beth Scheimann, an aquatic manager, said the recreation district has begun informal talks to expand the park, but nothing has been decided. She said there also have been preliminary talks among the recreation district planners.
Scheimann said planners expect that families who don't go to the beach or a lake July Fourth weekend might come to the water park.
"We expect it to be busy, but not as busy," she said.
Johnson said parks featuring water are popular.
"We love water parks," she said. "We just got back from the beach."
Linda Medina of Mauldin said a few weeks ago on a Saturday it took her a while to find the park. She was leaving after she and her granddaughter spent a few hours at the park.
"I had to wait about an hour," she said. "It's a pretty good park."
Medina said she tried to find the park a few weeks ago but couldn't. That weekend, there were about 175 people waiting in line to get in. A sign near the entrance said officials would not be letting anybody in until some swimmers left.
Ernestine Hill left the water park in frustration after waiting a short while in the hot sun with three kids.
"I'm going to buy these kids a swimming pool," Hill said, the stress obvious on her face.
Most people estimated the waiting to get in that Saturday at about an hour.
One couple with three children waited briefly before heading back to their cars.
Rick and Cheryl Wardlaw said it was the first time she brought her grandchildren to the water park.
"It was a new park to try with the grandkids," Cheryl Wardlaw said. "The price is real good." She said she and her co-workers had been talking about the park on her job.
Rick Wardlaw said he wanted to leave after learning of their hourlong wait a few weeks ago.
"Let's go," he said.
Shawn Smith walked up to the park with his three children and turned right around to leave.
"I'm not going to stand in line here," he said. Smith said the water park was near his home, and closer than Six Flags park in Georgia.
He said he was taking his kids to another water park near White Horse Road.
Carmen Wright said she enjoyed the park, but it was way too small.
"They should have made it bigger, considering how big Greenville is," she said.
Lisa Whitney said she and her daughter, age 7, enjoyed the park. They didn't have to stand in line because her daughter was attending a birthday party. The hosts, she said, made reservations.
"It was my first time and it was wonderful," she said while heading to her minivan.
Sandra Fulmer said she brought her son Trevor, and his friend, Scottie, both 10, to the park.
"It's out first time here," she said. "We love it." Staff writer E. Richard Walton can be reached at 2984317.
VOICES
"It's great entertainment for the Simpsonville-Mauldin area. It definitely needs to be bigger." -- Missy Johnson, Simpsonville
Cutlines:
ALAN DEVORSEY / Staff
Waiting their turn: Visitors to Discovery Island water park stand in line for a chance to take the plunge down the water chute.
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The Greenville News - Greenville, S.C.
Author: E Richard Walton
Date: Jul 3, 2005
Start Page: B.17
Section: Metro
Text Word Count: 862
Document Text
Expect long lines when visiting Discovery Island
By E. Richard Walton
STAFF WRITER
rwalton@greenvillenews.com
Missy Johnson of Simpsonville has surveyed the Discovery Island water park, and she takes her hat off to Greenville County's recreation officials for building it.
She likes the snazzy venues, such as slides for kids to glide from three stories above the park to a series of small pools. Its organized chaos makes the kids shriek with happiness.
"It's great entertainment for the Simpsonville-Mauldin area," she said.
There's just a small problem, she said Saturday. "It definitely needs to be bigger."
She brought her daughter Erika and a friend, Victoria, both 12.
The park, which cost about $2.4 million, quickly reaches its 800-person capacity most days, water park officials said.
While the wait Saturday was an average 10 minutes in the midday heat, kids and their parents waited in lines for more than an hour two Saturdays ago.
"We only waited about 10 to 12 minutes," Johnson said this weekend.
Johnson said the park is so successful it's drawing people from surrounding areas, compounding overcrowding.
"I'm from Laurens," she said. "I've seen people (in the park) from there."
At 3 p.m. Saturday, the park was at its capacity. The wait to get in lasted about 15 minutes. Joy Anderson said she brought her niece, Emma, age 3, to Discovery Island, but her wait wasn't tedious.
"You don't wait for too long," she said of their first visit.
Families who arrange parties and other prearranged gatherings are not required to wait in line.
Discovery staffers said there were more visitors in the park earlier Saturday.
"We were really packed earlier," Discovery park worker Kristen Ferri said.
"It's really busy every day," co-worker Joy Strickler said. "The more people hear about it, the busier it will become."
Dan Rodgerson, head of the Greenville County Recreation District, could not be reached for comment about future plans for the water park.
Beth Scheimann, an aquatic manager, said the recreation district has begun informal talks to expand the park, but nothing has been decided. She said there also have been preliminary talks among the recreation district planners.
Scheimann said planners expect that families who don't go to the beach or a lake July Fourth weekend might come to the water park.
"We expect it to be busy, but not as busy," she said.
Johnson said parks featuring water are popular.
"We love water parks," she said. "We just got back from the beach."
Linda Medina of Mauldin said a few weeks ago on a Saturday it took her a while to find the park. She was leaving after she and her granddaughter spent a few hours at the park.
"I had to wait about an hour," she said. "It's a pretty good park."
Medina said she tried to find the park a few weeks ago but couldn't. That weekend, there were about 175 people waiting in line to get in. A sign near the entrance said officials would not be letting anybody in until some swimmers left.
Ernestine Hill left the water park in frustration after waiting a short while in the hot sun with three kids.
"I'm going to buy these kids a swimming pool," Hill said, the stress obvious on her face.
Most people estimated the waiting to get in that Saturday at about an hour.
One couple with three children waited briefly before heading back to their cars.
Rick and Cheryl Wardlaw said it was the first time she brought her grandchildren to the water park.
"It was a new park to try with the grandkids," Cheryl Wardlaw said. "The price is real good." She said she and her co-workers had been talking about the park on her job.
Rick Wardlaw said he wanted to leave after learning of their hourlong wait a few weeks ago.
"Let's go," he said.
Shawn Smith walked up to the park with his three children and turned right around to leave.
"I'm not going to stand in line here," he said. Smith said the water park was near his home, and closer than Six Flags park in Georgia.
He said he was taking his kids to another water park near White Horse Road.
Carmen Wright said she enjoyed the park, but it was way too small.
"They should have made it bigger, considering how big Greenville is," she said.
Lisa Whitney said she and her daughter, age 7, enjoyed the park. They didn't have to stand in line because her daughter was attending a birthday party. The hosts, she said, made reservations.
"It was my first time and it was wonderful," she said while heading to her minivan.
Sandra Fulmer said she brought her son Trevor, and his friend, Scottie, both 10, to the park.
"It's out first time here," she said. "We love it." Staff writer E. Richard Walton can be reached at 2984317.
VOICES
"It's great entertainment for the Simpsonville-Mauldin area. It definitely needs to be bigger." -- Missy Johnson, Simpsonville
Cutlines:
ALAN DEVORSEY / Staff
Waiting their turn: Visitors to Discovery Island water park stand in line for a chance to take the plunge down the water chute.
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Updated 10/12/2011
Add waterpark to list of kids' things to do - Dan Rodgerson
Add waterpark to list of kids' things to do
The Greenville News - Greenville, S.C.
Author: Eric Connor
Date: May 1, 2005
Start Page: GG.28
Section: Guide To Greenville
Text Word Count: 778
Document Text
STAFF_WRITER
econnor@greenvillenews.com
So the kids have played all the Playstation they can stomach (imagine that improbability) and have begun to perform every pro wrestling move imaginable on their baby brother?
Never fear, escaping your home in Greenville is not difficult.
New this year is the Discovery Island Waterpark at Southside Park outside of Mauldin, which operates seven days a week during the summer, offering an alternative to driving to Lake Hartwell or Lake Keowee on a hot summer day.
The park is open during the summer months from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays and noon to 6 p.m. on Sundays. Admission is $6 for anyone taller than 48 inches and $5 for anyone under 48 inches. Ages 2 and under are free.
"We are excited about the new facility," says Dan Rodgerson, executive director of the Greenville County Recreation District. "There is nothing like it in the Upstate. Greenville deserves a facility like Discovery Island and the concept was embraced by local leaders, politicians and the tourism community."
Near the waterpark at Southside Park is the newly finished Discovery Park playground.
In Berea, the Westside Aquatic Center has an indoor pool that is an epicenter for competition as well as recreational swimming and birthday parties.
Also new this year will be the Greenville Bombers, a Class A minor league baseball newly relocated to Greenville from Columbia. The team, affiliated with the Boston Red Sox organization, will play in Municipal Stadium on Mauldin Road until a ballpark is built in downtown Greenville for the 2006 season. The team's name also will be changed.
You also can try the Pavilion Recreation Complex in Taylors, where you can ride a vintage train or build a snowman on the ice rink. The engine, a miniaturized replica of an old Southern diesel engine, runs a half-mile loop around the Pavilion on Scottswood Road off East North Street.
Inside, the ice rink attracts skaters, and during the winter, a weekday morning program lets kids play with artificial snow.
In Greer, there's Kids Planet, a half-acre park with two large-scale playgrounds, picnic shelters and walking trails.
On Saturdays, take the kids -- at least age 7 -- for a leisurely horseback ride at the Riverbend Equestrian Park, a bucolic, 66-acre park near the foot of Paris Mountain.
Visit the Recreation District's Web site, http://www.gcrd.org/, for more information on events and destinations.
If you're looking for a kid-friendly outing that lasts just long enough to keep them interested but doesn't stretch their patience, visit the Greenville Zoo in Cleveland Park downtown.
The zoo recently opened a compelling orangutan and leopard exhibit. Also, the ever-popular "Boo in the Zoo" event for Halloween (the animals are put to bed) will offer yet another not-so-scary carnival of candy gathering.
For live family entertainment, there are plenty of choices throughout the year.
The Greenville Symphony Orchestra conducts a series of Lollipop Concerts for small children at satellite branches of the library system and Greenville Mall.
After a story-themed, classical music performance (the program tries to feature as many instruments as possible from show to show), children get a lollipop and a chance to touch and learn about the instruments. The series runs in winter and spring; go to greenvillesymphony.org for a schedule.
In the summer, the Peace Center's amphitheater echoes with free music. Also, in the summer, the older kids might enjoy the free Upstate Shakespeare Festival, with two productions each season at the Reedy River Falls Park amphitheater.
The Bi-Lo Center offers family-friendly performances, such as the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus each February and a number of kid-themed shows that tour through the area. If you don't mind your kids watching an occasional brawl, the Bi-Lo Center is also home to the Greenville Grrrowl minor-league hockey team.
For a truly out-of-this-world experience, see the stars at the Roper Mountain Science Center, which houses a giant telescope and offers a planetarium show, along with special programs.
The science center also is host to Second Saturday each month, when the Living History Farm demonstrates how pioneers made their own clothing and food and other science activities are offered.
YMCA branches around the county offer various activities, whether it's day camps or league sports.
+ GREENVILLE ONLINE
For a searchable online calendar of entertainment events in the region, go to GreenvilleOnline.com and click on Entertainment.
Cutline: File photo by ALAN DEVORSEY / Staff
Tentatively fun: Caelan, left, Christian and their dad, Cimeron Holcombe, test the ice at the Pavilion's skating rink.
Cutline: KEN OSBURN / Staff
Kids Planet: Cindy McCrady of Greer helps her daughter, 2-year-old Mackenzie, on the slide.
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Dan Rodgerson Favorite Quotes
The Greenville News - Greenville, S.C.
Author: Eric Connor
Date: May 1, 2005
Start Page: GG.28
Section: Guide To Greenville
Text Word Count: 778
Document Text
STAFF_WRITER
econnor@greenvillenews.com
So the kids have played all the Playstation they can stomach (imagine that improbability) and have begun to perform every pro wrestling move imaginable on their baby brother?
Never fear, escaping your home in Greenville is not difficult.
New this year is the Discovery Island Waterpark at Southside Park outside of Mauldin, which operates seven days a week during the summer, offering an alternative to driving to Lake Hartwell or Lake Keowee on a hot summer day.
The park is open during the summer months from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays and noon to 6 p.m. on Sundays. Admission is $6 for anyone taller than 48 inches and $5 for anyone under 48 inches. Ages 2 and under are free.
"We are excited about the new facility," says Dan Rodgerson, executive director of the Greenville County Recreation District. "There is nothing like it in the Upstate. Greenville deserves a facility like Discovery Island and the concept was embraced by local leaders, politicians and the tourism community."
Near the waterpark at Southside Park is the newly finished Discovery Park playground.
In Berea, the Westside Aquatic Center has an indoor pool that is an epicenter for competition as well as recreational swimming and birthday parties.
Also new this year will be the Greenville Bombers, a Class A minor league baseball newly relocated to Greenville from Columbia. The team, affiliated with the Boston Red Sox organization, will play in Municipal Stadium on Mauldin Road until a ballpark is built in downtown Greenville for the 2006 season. The team's name also will be changed.
You also can try the Pavilion Recreation Complex in Taylors, where you can ride a vintage train or build a snowman on the ice rink. The engine, a miniaturized replica of an old Southern diesel engine, runs a half-mile loop around the Pavilion on Scottswood Road off East North Street.
Inside, the ice rink attracts skaters, and during the winter, a weekday morning program lets kids play with artificial snow.
In Greer, there's Kids Planet, a half-acre park with two large-scale playgrounds, picnic shelters and walking trails.
On Saturdays, take the kids -- at least age 7 -- for a leisurely horseback ride at the Riverbend Equestrian Park, a bucolic, 66-acre park near the foot of Paris Mountain.
Visit the Recreation District's Web site, http://www.gcrd.org/, for more information on events and destinations.
If you're looking for a kid-friendly outing that lasts just long enough to keep them interested but doesn't stretch their patience, visit the Greenville Zoo in Cleveland Park downtown.
The zoo recently opened a compelling orangutan and leopard exhibit. Also, the ever-popular "Boo in the Zoo" event for Halloween (the animals are put to bed) will offer yet another not-so-scary carnival of candy gathering.
For live family entertainment, there are plenty of choices throughout the year.
The Greenville Symphony Orchestra conducts a series of Lollipop Concerts for small children at satellite branches of the library system and Greenville Mall.
After a story-themed, classical music performance (the program tries to feature as many instruments as possible from show to show), children get a lollipop and a chance to touch and learn about the instruments. The series runs in winter and spring; go to greenvillesymphony.org for a schedule.
In the summer, the Peace Center's amphitheater echoes with free music. Also, in the summer, the older kids might enjoy the free Upstate Shakespeare Festival, with two productions each season at the Reedy River Falls Park amphitheater.
The Bi-Lo Center offers family-friendly performances, such as the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus each February and a number of kid-themed shows that tour through the area. If you don't mind your kids watching an occasional brawl, the Bi-Lo Center is also home to the Greenville Grrrowl minor-league hockey team.
For a truly out-of-this-world experience, see the stars at the Roper Mountain Science Center, which houses a giant telescope and offers a planetarium show, along with special programs.
The science center also is host to Second Saturday each month, when the Living History Farm demonstrates how pioneers made their own clothing and food and other science activities are offered.
YMCA branches around the county offer various activities, whether it's day camps or league sports.
+ GREENVILLE ONLINE
For a searchable online calendar of entertainment events in the region, go to GreenvilleOnline.com and click on Entertainment.
Cutline: File photo by ALAN DEVORSEY / Staff
Tentatively fun: Caelan, left, Christian and their dad, Cimeron Holcombe, test the ice at the Pavilion's skating rink.
Cutline: KEN OSBURN / Staff
Kids Planet: Cindy McCrady of Greer helps her daughter, 2-year-old Mackenzie, on the slide.
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Water park to close for season Saturday - Dan Rodgerson
Water park to close for season Saturday
The Greenville News - Greenville, S.C.
Date: Sep 20, 2005
Start Page: B.2
Section: Metro
Text Word Count: 173
Document Text
STAFF_REPORTS
SIMPSONVILLE -- There is one more weekend of water park fun for residents and families at Discovery Island.
The water park, located in Southside Park between Simpsonville and Mauldin, will close for the season on Saturday, a Greenville County Recreation District press release said.
Hours will be from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
It said Discovery Island has had more than 120,000 guests -- three times the number of visitors the Greenville County Recreation District expected for the park's first year.
The success of the water park has officials looking at options. In the past few weeks, a Texas-based consultant was hired to do a feasibility study to see how to expand Discovery Island and whether another water park should be opened somewhere else in the county.
"The community is eager for more activities within the water park," Dan Rodgerson, executive director of the Greenville County Recreation District, said in the release.
"We are currently researching various funding options and amenities for the site. We are optimistic we can make it happen."
The Greenville News - Greenville, S.C.
Date: Sep 20, 2005
Start Page: B.2
Section: Metro
Text Word Count: 173
Document Text
STAFF_REPORTS
SIMPSONVILLE -- There is one more weekend of water park fun for residents and families at Discovery Island.
The water park, located in Southside Park between Simpsonville and Mauldin, will close for the season on Saturday, a Greenville County Recreation District press release said.
Hours will be from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
It said Discovery Island has had more than 120,000 guests -- three times the number of visitors the Greenville County Recreation District expected for the park's first year.
The success of the water park has officials looking at options. In the past few weeks, a Texas-based consultant was hired to do a feasibility study to see how to expand Discovery Island and whether another water park should be opened somewhere else in the county.
"The community is eager for more activities within the water park," Dan Rodgerson, executive director of the Greenville County Recreation District, said in the release.
"We are currently researching various funding options and amenities for the site. We are optimistic we can make it happen."
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Work on Simpsonville water park to begin - Dan Rodgerson
Work on Simpsonville water park to begin
The Greenville News - Greenville, S.C.
Author: April M Silvaggio
Date: Feb 23, 2004
Start Page: B.2
Section: Suburbs
Text Word Count: 354
Document Text
Groundbreaking set for Thursday at Southside Park
By April M. Silvaggio
STAFF_WRITER
asilvagg@greenvillenews.com
SIMPSONVILLE -- When the Greenville County Recreation District breaks ground this week on an estimated $2.3 million water park complete with spouting geysers, splashy slides and a 270-foot lazy river, Jaquilla Perry plans to be there with her 3-year-old son, Jacob.
"I want to see what all the talk is about," the 29-year-old Simpsonville mother said.
"If it is going to be anything like the ones we've been to at the beach, I can already tell you we'll be at Southside Park all the time when it opens. It seems like it'll be a really neat place to take the kids."
The official is planned for a groundbreaking ceremony 1 p.m. Thursday at Southside Park on Baldwin Road.
Plans call for Discovery Island Family Aquatic Center to be opened this summer, said Dan Rodgerson, executive director of the recreation district.
On Thursday, folks can view the architectural renderings and through some visual aids see the actual size of the facility and the height of the tallest slide.
Along with the lazy river, the water park will include a 250-foot tube slide and a 185-foot body slide, as well as play structures and a play area to serve the smallest swimmers.
"To me, this is something Greenville County has needed," Perry said. "There is nothing like this anywhere around here."
And it is better than filling up a small plastic swimming pool in the back yard with a garden hose when the summer heat hits, she said.
"That is what we would be doing, because Jacob loves the water," she said.
Shelters will be in place at Discovery Island to accommodate parties, family reunions and corporate functions. The facility also will be available for private rental after hours.
It will be funded from the issuance of a low-interest revenue bond, which allows the proceeds from the use of the facility to pay for the debt service on the construction costs. Admission probably will cost $4-$6 per person, Rodgerson said.
Officials expect an estimated 40,000 people to use the park in its first summer.
The Greenville News - Greenville, S.C.
Author: April M Silvaggio
Date: Feb 23, 2004
Start Page: B.2
Section: Suburbs
Text Word Count: 354
Document Text
Groundbreaking set for Thursday at Southside Park
By April M. Silvaggio
STAFF_WRITER
asilvagg@greenvillenews.com
SIMPSONVILLE -- When the Greenville County Recreation District breaks ground this week on an estimated $2.3 million water park complete with spouting geysers, splashy slides and a 270-foot lazy river, Jaquilla Perry plans to be there with her 3-year-old son, Jacob.
"I want to see what all the talk is about," the 29-year-old Simpsonville mother said.
"If it is going to be anything like the ones we've been to at the beach, I can already tell you we'll be at Southside Park all the time when it opens. It seems like it'll be a really neat place to take the kids."
The official is planned for a groundbreaking ceremony 1 p.m. Thursday at Southside Park on Baldwin Road.
Plans call for Discovery Island Family Aquatic Center to be opened this summer, said Dan Rodgerson, executive director of the recreation district.
On Thursday, folks can view the architectural renderings and through some visual aids see the actual size of the facility and the height of the tallest slide.
Along with the lazy river, the water park will include a 250-foot tube slide and a 185-foot body slide, as well as play structures and a play area to serve the smallest swimmers.
"To me, this is something Greenville County has needed," Perry said. "There is nothing like this anywhere around here."
And it is better than filling up a small plastic swimming pool in the back yard with a garden hose when the summer heat hits, she said.
"That is what we would be doing, because Jacob loves the water," she said.
Shelters will be in place at Discovery Island to accommodate parties, family reunions and corporate functions. The facility also will be available for private rental after hours.
It will be funded from the issuance of a low-interest revenue bond, which allows the proceeds from the use of the facility to pay for the debt service on the construction costs. Admission probably will cost $4-$6 per person, Rodgerson said.
Officials expect an estimated 40,000 people to use the park in its first summer.
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