Shoeless Joe Jackson Memorial Park

Liene reviews Shoeless Joe Jackson Memorial Park in Greenville, SC. For more reviews of local parks see our Park Guide to Greenville, SC.

When he was 13 years old, Joe Jackson earned a position on the Brandon Mill Baseball team. Historically, the mills played a large role in the evolution of baseball at the time; on Saturday afternoons when the whistles blew, the mill workers would swarm from the workplace to the local baseball fields, where they would practice for their games against mill leagues across Greenville County. Many communities such as Brandon Mill were brought together through their love of the sport, and more than one legendary player emerged from these mill teams, including Joe Jackson, Champ Osteen and Red Barbary.

Photo credit to Charles M. Conlon

Shoeless Joe

Joseph Jefferson Jackson earned the nickname “Shoeless Joe” during a mill game when the blisters from a new pair of cleats resulted in the player taking off his shoes off before his turn at bat. Legend goes that as he was rounding third base in his socks a fan yelled out “You shoeless son of a gun, you!” and the resulting nickname stuck through the rest of his career. In 1919 he was indicted in the Black Sox Scandal in which members of the 1919 Chicago White Sox participated in a conspiracy to fix the World Series. Although he was acquitted in 1921, he was still banned from playing baseball for the remainder of his career. Nevertheless, Shoeless Joe has one of the highest career batting averages in major league history (he hit .408 in 1911), and Babe Ruth is said to have modeled his batting technique after Jackson’s square stance.

The park

The historic Brandon Mill Community on Greenville’s Westside is now home to the 8-acre Shoeless Joe Jackson Memorial Park, the baseball field where Jackson first played baseball. The park is split in two by Brushy Creek, which continues on through Greenville until it empties into the Reedy River in Lake Conestee Nature Park; due to the historic pollution caused by the mills and ongoing hazards from urban runoff, it is not advised to play in the water.

On one side of the creek is the lighted baseball field with a small parking lot that is open when a game is on. On the other side of the creek are the playground, picnic shelter and parking. The two sides are connected by a small bridge on the very backside of the park, and informational placards on the park and Shoeless Joe can be found next to the concessions building on the backside of the baseball diamond – this is where you’ll find the answer to the 2017 Park Hop clues!

Nearby attractions

When you’re park hopping through the Greenville County Parks this summer, make sure to stop by nearby Freetown Community Center for more Park Hop fun. The Community Center and playground is just 5 blocks away, making it an easy two-base hit!

Greenville is also home to the Shoeless Joe Jackson Museum and Library, Shoeless Joe Jackson Plaza at the gates of Fluor Field (where a life-size bronze statue of Joe stands on a base made of bricks from the old Comiskey Ball Park in Chicago), and the site of Joe Jackson’s grave where visitors leave baseballs, photos, notes and other mementos.

Have you explored the Shoeless Joe Jackson Memorial Park?

Shoeless Joe Jackson Memorial Park is one of the parks in the 2017 Park Hop passport. To learn more about how you can earn prizes this summer by visiting local parks read our Ultimate Guide to Park Hop.

Meet Liene

Mother of three young boys, Liene is constantly on the move since returning to Greenville in 2012. Whether she’s exploring the state parks and natural areas of the Carolinas or teaming up with other moms to organize activities for the kids, she’s always searching for the next adventure in the Upstate. For everything from hiking, travel, cooking and crafts to multicultural & global education posts, visit her blog, Femme au Foyer.

Story Time Is the Perfect Downtown Saturday Activity!

Downtown Greenville is the perfect place to hang out on Saturdays especially once the Farmer’s Market kicks off in May, but there is a weekly event that you might not know about already–storytime at M. Judson bookstore. This fun event takes place in the children’s nook inside M. Judson bookstore, and it’s the perfect way to kick off your weekend downtown.

My first visit to story time at M. Judson

My mom and I took Preston to M. Judson’s Story Time. Believe it or not, I had not been. I’ve been to the bookstore many times. In fact, it’s one of our favorite places to relax. The atmosphere is appealing with its high ceilings and homey décor. Free Wifi accompanied by coffee and a small snack from the quaint café, The Chocolate Moose, is also a plus. You’ll want to check out the children’s nook in the back of the store. Our kids love to chill by themselves while we stroll through the adult titles.

Although the event does not begin until 10:30 am, we arrived downtown around 9:30 am. The Farmer’s Market is on Main Street every Saturday morning starting in May, so parking can be tricky. Personally, I am partial to the garages. There are several located within close proximity to the bookstore, although walking is part of the charm of a cool morning on Main.

There is a garage directly behind the Poinsett Hotel (beside M. Judson). Most of the parking garages have free weekend parking but (even though the cost is minimal) this is not one of them. The garages that offer free parking have a sign at the entrance – if there is no sign, only the first hour is free.

Okay, on to story time

As the group made their way inside the first thing I noticed was the age range of the children. This is one thing you want to keep in mind when planning your visit to Storytime. It is definitely geared to a preschool audience. Thankfully, I didn’t make JP (who is 10) come with us. The majority, and by majority I mean all, of the crowd was 3 years and under.

I encourage you to check the M. Judson Booksellers & Storytellers website for a list of really cool activities for older children. They have plenty!

An employee of the store set up in the children’s nook to read. She began reading promptly at 10:30 am and wrapped things up at 11:00 am on the nose. I imagine I’m not the only parent who appreciated their respect of time. The storyteller was sensitive to the attention span of all the little wiggle worms.

Story time was a nice addition to our Saturday morning in town. The best part is, it’s thirty minutes that someone else is reading to your child!

After story time a small cupcake treat is often provided for all the little ones, thanks to The Chocolate Moose!

Have you taken your kids to story time on the steps at M. Judson yet?

It’s Kid Friendly! Greenville’s Center for Creative Arts First Friday

Wondering about First Friday events in Greenville? The Metropolitan Art’s Council in Greenville presents First Fridays, the first Friday of every month. The event features open art studios with different artists featured each month. The Greenville Center for Creative Arts almost always participates in First Friday events with artist exhibitions, food trucks and kid-friendly activities. We sent KAG Contributor, Kristina Hernandez, and her family to visit the Greenville Center for Creative Arts for a First Friday event. She’s sharing her family’s experience with us today.

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