Archive for the ‘Things to Do Outside’ Category

Free 4th Grade National Park Pass: Every Kid Outdoors

Love visiting our National Parks with your family? If you have a fourth-grader living in your home, you can get a free 4th-grade national park pass for your child. As an added bonus, the pass will cover your whole family, with free access to national parks and other federal recreation lands!

We have all the details on this awesome program, so you’re able to take full advantage!

How does Every Kid Outdoors work?

The National Park Service offers a free national park pass to 4th graders through the Every Kid Outdoors Program. The free annual pass is good for national parks and federal recreation areas and covers kids and their families (up to 3 adults and all kids traveling with the 4th grader).

Use your free fourth-grade student annual national park pass for a family adventure or field trip. It’s good for the entire school year your child is a 4th grader and the following summer, ending August 31st. You can use the kid outdoors pass again and again.

The process is simple. If you have a fourth-grader in your home, just visit the Every Kid Outdoors website. You will be taken through the steps that lead to your park pass. The pass is valid only when printed out. They will not accept passes shown on smartphones.

Then, go to this Every Kid Outdoors planning page and use your imagination to create an adventure.

When you visit your first park, simply take your printed copy and exchange it for a park pass. If there is no park ranger at the park you visit, simply leave the pass on your dashboard where it will be visible.

If the park you visit has an entrance fee, all children and up to three adults riding in the same vehicle will be free.

The pass does not cover any extras such as camping fees, boat rentals, tours, etc. State parks or local parks that charge a fee are not included in the pass.

Use Your Pass: National Parks Near You or Make a Trip

There are plenty of parks near Greenville that could be done in a day. One of our favorites is the home of Carl Sandburg up in Flat Rock, NC. If you visit there, make sure to say hello to the goats. Others include The Blue Ridge Parkway, and historic battlefields Cowpens, King’s Mountain, Congaree National Park, and Ninety-Six.

Looking for more fun things to do? Check out our Kidding Around Guide to Congaree National Park!

Plan a National Park Trip

The Smoky Mountains National Park is on the list. And if you’ve never enjoyed it, you’re missing out. It’s some of the most beautiful hiking I’ve ever done.

Or why not make it an incredibly memorable trip with a vacation to Grand Canyon National Park?

Looking for more fun ideas as you travel with your family? We’ve got you covered with Kidding Around’s Travel Guides!

Your adventure is good for one year, expiring on August 31. So, what are you waiting for? Check out this find your park page to see what is close to home. Or find a park that will be worth the drive and make some memories!

Keep Your Trip Cheap

More deals: As you travel to visit your parks for free, keep costs down by using Kids Eat Free Deals. The 20+ restaurants in our article offer national kids eat free or cheap deals (may vary by location, so, do check before you dine!)

What’s your favorite park to visit with your kids?

Free things to do for kids across the USA

Find more FREE fun for kids!

Free Things for Kids Near You

Get A FREE National Parks Pass for all fourth-graders! If your child is in fourth-grade, you can get a free national parks pass from the Every Kid Outdoors Program!

Beautiful Inclusive Playground in Hendersonville, NC at Jackson Park

Have you visited Jackson Park in Hendersonville, NC? It’s the largest municipally owned park in Western North Carolina and it has so much to offer anyone looking to spend time outdoors, including tennis courts, disc golf, lit basketball courts, a nature trail for walking or running and so much more! But, today we’re talking about the brand-new inclusive playground at Jackson Park.

We checked it out on opening day and it is so cool, with so much equipment allowing all kids to play together from supportive swings, to wheelchair-accessible equipment, to a full rubber ground cover, they have it all.

Jackson Park’s Inclusive Playground

The kid community in Hendersonville came out strong for the opening of Henderson County’s Donnie Jones All-Inclusive Playground at Jackson Park. We loved seeing so many kids having so much fun all together.

Note: Our pictures are from opening day, so, if crowds aren’t your thing, don’t be scared off by these photos. We’re sure this will be a popular playground, but probably not quite as popular as it was on its very first morning open!

Opening day after the ribbon cutting at the All Inclusive Playground at Jackson Park in Hendersonville, NC

Space for All to Play Together

As its name implies, the new inclusive playground at Jackson Park is designed specifically to facilitate play between all kids by making playground space and equipment accessible to everyone.

Smooth, even, rubber ground covers the playground space, ramps grace playground equipment, music equipment sits at a variety of heights, and swings come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. There are spaces to climb, spin, roll, run, and explore.

Ramp access and ground level play equipment at Jackson Park playground.

Playground Layout

This playground includes a smaller climber lower to the ground with ramp access, a larger climber with tall slides as well as ground-level equipment, and a beautiful covered space in the middle with seating, and interactive panels.

This middle section also contains a large array of musical instrument stations and a ground-level merry-go-round.

Music station at the inclusive playground at Jackson Park

To the side of the space is a hill with two fun hill-side slides. Kids (and parents) have the choice to walk up the smooth hill, take the stairs, or use the ramp on the sidewalk to get to the top of these slides.

Things to Know: Playground at Jackson Park

The restrooms are beside the playground at the covered shelter.
Even with the covering over much of the playground equipment, it was hot and there was lots of sun when we visited. Sun protection is a must at this park.
Picnic space is available at the covered shelter when it isn’t reserved and there are lots of shade trees and benches in the immediate area for a lunch or snack break.
Parking is free, but depending on events at this large park, like seasonal youth soccer games, you may have to walk a little bit to get to the playground.

Glider for all at the Jackson Park inclusive playground in Hendersonville, NC

The Donnie Jones ALl Inclusive Playground at Jackson Park

Jackson Park
801 4th Avenue East
Hendersonville, NC 28792

Open 7:30 am to 11 pm daily
Parking is free.

There’s so much more to explore in Hendersonville, NC!

You Can Ride a Zip Line and Hillside Slide at the Brand New Gracely Park in Simpsonville, SC

Simpsonville City Park is now the brand-new Gracely Park! The park opened over Thanksgiving break in 2024 and is a wonderful upgrade to the former park. Find out what all we explored and loved.

More: There’s more to do in Simpsonville!

Parks and playgrounds near Greenville, South Carolina

Find more parks to explore in our Kidding Around® Guide to Parks in the Upstate!

Gracely Park in Simpsonville, SC

The brand-new park currently offers a great shade/sun playground that features woodland themes throughout. You’ll have a blast exploring and finding hidden forest creatures built into the play structures.

Top Attractions at the Playground

After checking out the zip line, which features two tracks (one of which has a seat-style chair), we headed straight to the park’s most popular feature, the hillside slide. But this isn’t just any slide, it is a slide that is made up of rotating cylinder tubes that gently move your kids down the hillside, giving them a little jiggle as they go. My toddler and five-year-old loved it, and there was a consistent stream of kids going down it throughout our visit.

At the park, there are two play structures, one for toddler ages and one for big kids. The structures have some pretty unique features, including an interactive rotating sand toy (hourglass style) in the toddler section that my toddler couldn’t get enough of. The big kid play area had a couple of fantastic additions, including a periscope that works, and a rope bridge that is the perfect balance of challenging for the kid and not too scary for the parents watching.

You’ll also find swings, a hillside made of turf for climbing and sliding, and additional play equipment to explore during your visit.

What is new for Gracely Park in 2025

The playground has a misting station that is wonderful for cooling off during the summer. There are also basketball courts, restrooms, several quality picnic shelters to choose from, and large green spaces that are perfect for relaxing.

Want to go?

Gracely Park
403 E Curtis Street, Simpsonville, SC
Can be accessed from East Curtis Street between the South Greenville Summary Court and Simpsonville Fire Department.

McPherson Park Has a Free Mini-Golf Course in Downtown Greenville, SC

Have you been to McPherson Park? This popular park is one of the only parks to have mini-golf in Greenville, SC, and it’s FREE! Be sure to pack your own putters and balls and get ready for a great time. The park is located in downtown Greenville and has long been a family favorite. Find out all you need to know about McPherson Park below!

McPherson Park Mini Golf in Greenville SC

Things to Do at McPherson Park

You’ll find basketball and tennis courts in addition to two play structures. Before I move on, let’s talk about the most important feature – the bathrooms! There’s nothing worse than being stuck out in public with your toddler (or twelve-year-old) when nature calls. No worries, McPherson has you covered. Literally. The facilities are nice, clean, and located on the left as you drive into the park. Nothing fancy, but a far cry from a porta-john.

Our boys love throwing rocks in the creek from the concrete bridge. It’s not exactly Jones Gap, but they would have stayed in this spot for hours. Note to self: bring a book and a chair next time.

The playgrounds are small but safe for all ages. If a picnic lunch is on your agenda for the day, there are lots of shaded spots and even a gazebo-style shelter with multiple tables for extra hot or rainy days.

Maybe it’s been there the whole time but, during my most recent visit, I noticed a Free Little Library at the top of the hill next to the entrance. Don’t forget to bring your gently-used books to trade!

Playground and mini-golf at McPherson Park in Greenville, SC

Mini Golf in Greenville, SC: McPherson Park

The biggest draw to McPherson Park is the FREE eighteen-hole putt-putt course. And we have to say, it is fabulous. Each hole varies in shape, size, and obstacles making it a very interesting course. The location beside the creek and the rock features in the course really give it a far-off mountain feel, right in the city.

Clubs and balls are not provided, so you will need to bring your own. If you don’t already have them, check out consignment and thrift stores as well as used sporting goods stores like Play it Again Sports. We’ve even seen little ones with plastic toy putters out there having a great time.

Playing mini-golf at McPherson Park in Greenville, SC

Quick Review of McPherson Park

Favorites:

Fabulous Mini-golf course
Great creekside location
Shaded

Drawbacks:

Smaller playgrounds
No putters or golf balls are available, bring your own!

Playing putt-putt golf for free at McPherson Park in Greenville, SC

120 E Park Ave, Greenville, SC 29601

Do you enjoy visiting McPherson Park?

Parks and Playgrounds Greenville and Spartanburg

KA’s Ultimate Guide to
Parks Near Greenville, SC

Discover tons of free things to do in Downtown Greenville, SC

More FREE Things to Do in Downtown Greenville, SC

Check Out More Things to Do in
Downtown Greenville, SC

Does Your Family Love Hunting for Mice On Main in Greenville, SC?

Have you found the Mice on Main in Greenville, SC? Downtown Greenville’s little bronze mice are a familiar sight along Main Street. But have you seen all of them? KAG Writer, Shannon, shares her family’s search for the mice along with her tips and tricks for a successful hunt!

What are the Mice on Main in Downtown Greenville?

If you’ve noticed the little bronze statues of mice in Downtown Greenville, you’ve already seen some of the “Mice on Main.” There are 9 in total, and a list of free clues to help you find them all, as you enjoy being out and about in Downtown Greenville.

One Family’s Mice on Main Hunt

I grabbed my 15-month-old daughter, sister-in-law, and 5-year-old niece one morning recently, and told my niece we were going on a mouse hunt in downtown Greenville. I giggled a little while watching her confused reaction, but I explained that we were going on a scavenger hunt to find bronze mice sculptures. She looked a little relieved after that explanation.

Mice on Main Clues

I printed a list of Mice on Main clues that I found online (I also had a backup list because I had heard that some of the clues may have changed during all of the downtown Greenville construction and renovations).

Start the Hunt

We started at the Hyatt and, after a little searching, found the first mouse. My niece was pretty proud of herself for finding it.

We wandered on down the street, crisscrossing here and there, to find the other 8 mice. Some of them were easy to find, and others were really hard. We would look and look for some of them, and—because we love a good challenge—kept at it until we found them.

One of the mice even had a tiny sombrero on him. It was super cute! (We went the day after Cinco de Mayo.)

Tips for For A Fun Mice Hunting Adventure

If you are planning on going on the mouse hunt downtown, my biggest hint is to print the scavenger hunt clues, but also be open and willing to ask shopkeepers and restaurants for help if you need it. There were also some other locals out and about who caught on to what we were doing and were offering their help, as well.

Take the time to look at a map of the downtown area before you go. It will help you to know where the landmarks in the clues are.

Read Mice on Main: The Book before going on a hunt. It will give your children some background information on the mice. (P.S. You can check Mice on Main out from the Greenville Library or buy it from any of these stores.)

You may spot a mouse long before your kids do. If they are getting close to one, you can let them know that they are getting warmer or hotter to it. We played this little game with my niece once or twice. It just made her grin a little wider as she got “warmer”.

Be sure to look up and down when searching for the mice. Most of them are on the ground or at least close to the ground… but there’s at least one that may stump you.

Bring a camera to take pictures of your children and the mice they find. It will give you a visual diary of your mouse hunt that you all can look over later.

You will need to cross some busy streets. Remind your children of the need to look both ways before crossing the street and to wait for the walk signal. I know they already know those rules, but they will be excited about looking for mice and might forget them.

If you decide to offer a reward for finding some or all of the mice, make it something small. You can always head to the candy section at the Mast General Store or find something small at O.P. Taylor’s.

Wear comfortable shoes. You won’t be walking too much, but walking on concrete can be hard on your feet.

Did you have fun with Mice on Main?

Check out this huge list of Free Things to Do in Downtown Greenville, SC.

Love a good downtown scavenger hunt? Head over to Greer, SC to try Toads on Trade.

The Ultimate Guide to Parks in Spartanburg, SC

Inside: A list of parks and playgrounds in Spartanburg County, with parent reviews, tips, and all the information you need for a great family trip to the park.

Looking for a park near you? Here are all the parks in Spartanburg County, SC. You will find family-friendly parks, parks with trails, shaded and sunny parks, and more!

This page is part of the Greater Greenville Area Ultimate Park Guide. Head there for more parks that you can sort by location, feature, amenities, and more.

Our Favorite Spartanburg Parks

To kick things off, here are a couple of Spartanburg park highlights.

5 excellent playgrounds in Spartanburg, South Carolina

Where are the best playgrounds in Spartanburg?
Well, here’s what we think.

Spartanburg’s Best Playgrounds

Want more? These top parks and playgrounds in Spartanburg have green spaces, picnic spots, play spaces, and more.

Lyman Park Playground — Tyger River Playground

Get them all! Parks in Spartanburg County

Summer Hill Park

311 Hillandale Road, Spartanburg , SC

This is a small park in the Summer Hill neighborhood.

This park includes:

Grill
Outdoor Basketball Court
Picnic Shelter
Playground

Happy Hollow Park

Glendalyn Avenue, Spartanburg , SC

Parent Review of Happy Hollow Park

Located in the middle of the Converse Heights neighborhood, this shaded park is enclosed but does not have much parking or any restrooms.

This park includes:

Green Space
Picnic Shelter
Playground
Swings

Chapel Street Park

104 Chapel Street, Spartanburg , SC

This park is located at the intersection of Chapel Street and Asheville Highway in Spartanburg.

This park includes:

Grill
Outdoor Basketball Court
Picnic Shelter
Playground

Anchor Park

8515 Highway 9, Inman , SC

Parent Review of Anchor Park

Two playgrounds at Anchor Park on Lake Bowen.

Perfect for a sunny day, Anchor Park at Lake Bowen offers tons of shade and beautiful views with an enclosed playground.

This park includes:

Boat Ramp
Fishing
Grill
Picnic Shelter
Playground
Restrooms
Swings

Boiling Springs Community Park

182 Rainbow Lake Road, Boiling Springs , SC

Parent Review of Boiling Springs Community Park

Located by Walmart and the fire station, this park is an enclosed space in the middle of all the Boiling Springs action.

This park includes:

Green Space
Parking
Picnic Tables
Playground
Swings
Trails

Duncan Park

81 W Park Drive, Spartanburg , SC

Duncan Park is both the site of a lake and a former minor league baseball stadium.

This park includes:

Baseball/Softball Field
Mountain Biking Trails
Green Space
Grill
Parking
Picnic Shelter
Playground
Restrooms
Tennis Courts
Trails

St. Matthews Park

St. Matthews Lane, Spartanburg , SC

This new park is located behind St. Matthews Episcopal.

This park includes:

Parking
Picnic Tables
Playground
Swings

Beaumont Park

, SC

This cute neighborhood park in Beaumont Mill Village is brand new.

This park includes:

Picnic tables (large and child sized)
Small musical instrument station
Playground
Street Parking

Barnet Park

248 E Saint John Street, Spartanburg , SC

Parent Review of Barnet Park

Located in the heart of downtown Spartanburg, Barnet Park is an urban green space where local events are held. While it does not have a playground, it does have a splash pad during the summer months.

This park includes:

Green Space
Parking
Picnic Shelter
Restrooms
Splash Pad
Trails

Downtown Library Park

151 S Church Street, Spartanburg , SC

Parent Review of Downtown Library Park

Located at Headquarters Library outside of the children’s department, this is a fully enclosed playground. You may only access the playground through the library, so it is only open library hours.

This park offers:

Parking
Playground
Restrooms
Tables

Inman Mills Park

251 4th Street, Inman , SC

Generally used for youth baseball and softball, this park does include a playground.

This park includes:

Baseball/Softball Field
Green Space
Grill
Outdoor Basketball Court
Parking
Picnic Shelter
Playground
Restrooms
Swings

Stoneledge Park

119 S Spencer Street, Duncan , SC

Parent Review of Stoneledge Park

This park is located in Duncan near Shipwreck Cove Water Park.

This park includes:

Parking
Picnic Shelter
Playground
Restrooms
Swings

Rail Yard Community Park

226 S Spring Street, Spartanburg , SC

Rail Yard Community Park Website

Rail Yard Community Park features the Panthers Play 60 playground, an amphitheatre, the Vic Baily Bike Park, and Trolley Plaza.

The Panthers Play 60 playground is an NFL-themed obstacle course. If your kid likes a good ninja warrior course, you’ll want to check this one out.

The playground includes:

obstacle course equipment
turf ground covering
covered picnic area

Located in Rail Yard Community Park, along the Mary Black Rail Trail.

Sealy Park

22 Buice Street, Inman , SC

This small neighborhood park in Inman does not have a playground, but it does have swings.

This park includes:

Grill
Picnic Tables
Swings

River Place Park

, SC

Parent Review of River Place Park

River Place Park is located right behind Middle Tyger Library, with free public parking available in the library parking lot.

Scenic bridge over Tyger River
Waterside access for wading
Natural sand
Picnic tables and benches
Restrooms inside the library, when open

Lake Cooley Park

100 Cooley Dock Road, Inman , SC

Lake Cooley Park Website

This park opened in 2019 and offers beautiful lake and mountain views from the playground area.

This park includes:

Boat Ramp
Community Center
Fishing
Grill
Parking
Picnic Shelter
Restrooms

South Converse Street Park

E Hampton Avenue, Spartanburg , SC

This updated park is close to downtown Spartanburg.

This park includes:

Green Space
Grill
Outdoor Basketball Court
Parking
Picnic Shelter
Playground
Swings
Trails

Lyman Park

81 Groce Road, Lyman , SC

Parent Review of Lyman Park

This park is located Lyman Town Hall.

This park includes:

Green Space
Parking
Playground
Restrooms
Swings
Trails

Linville Hills Park

1211 Old Anderson Mill Road, Moore , SC

Parent Review of Linville Hills Park

Playground at Linville Hills Park in Moore, SC.

This community park is located in Moore.

This park includes:

Green Space
Grill
Parking
Picnic Shelter
Playground
Swings
Trails

Gib Gosnell Park

117 Lanford Street, Campobello , SC

Gib Gosnell Park is located in and maintained by the City of Campobello.

This park includes:

Baseball Diamond
Basketball Court
Parking
Picnic Shelter
Playground
Restrooms
Swings

Tyger River Park

179 Dillard Road, Duncan , SC

Parent Review of Tyger River Park

Playground at Tyger River Park in Duncan, SC.

Once you have parked in one of the large parking lots, walk towards the tower in the center of the park and you will come across sunny playgrounds, a huge sand pit and even a wonderful splash pad.

Paved walking trail, picnic shelter, splash pad, baseball, frisbee golf, sand pit
Sunny playgrounds
Restrooms
Free parking lots

Cleveland Park in Spartanburg

141 N. Cleveland Park Drive, Spartanburg , SC

Parent Review of Cleveland Park

Just off of Ashville Highway and right inside the city limits of Spartanburg is Cleveland Park, a large, beautiful old park with a great playground.

This park includes:

playground
restrooms
paved paths
water features

Bryant Road Park

2427 Bryant Park Road, Chesnee , SC

Ropes-based playground with climbing domes, rope bridge, hammocks, saucer swing, and shaded seating

Bryant Road Park is a gated athletic complex in Chesnee, SC near the Boiling Springs and Inman areas.

This park includes…

Baseball/softball fields
Football fields
Soccer field
Ropes-based playground
Concessions during athletic events
Public restrooms during open hours

Hillcrest Park

1450 Park Drive, Spartanburg , SC

Playground with slides, stairs, and bridge on mulch surfacing and surrounded by trees

This small park is located in the Hillcrest neighborhood.

This park includes:

Grill
Picnic Shelter
Playground

Pacolet Park

475 Sunny Acres Road, Pacolet , SC

This park includes:

Baseball/Softball Field
Green Space
Parking
Picnic Shelter
Playground
Restrooms

Leroy Mathis Park

50 Bishop Street, Inman , SC

Parent Review of Leroy Mathis Park

Newly renovated, Leroy Mathis Park is located in Inman.
Here’s our Kidding Around Review of Leroy Mathis Park.

This park includes:

Grill
Outdoor Fitness Equipment
Parking
Picnic Shelter
Playground
Restrooms
Swings
Trails

Stewart Park

500 Highland Avenue, Spartanburg , SC

Parent Review of Stewart Park

Stewart Park is a large park that includes a splash pad during the summer months and is located close to the Beacon.

This park includes:

Multi-Purpose Field
Outdoor Basketball Court
Parking
Picnic Shelter
Playground
Restrooms
Splash Pad
Swings
Trails

Holston Creek Park

7561 New Cut Road, Spartanburg , SC

Parent Review of Holston Creek Park

Offering mountain views and fishing, this park is located in Inman.

This park includes:

Parking
A 27-hole disc golf course
A fishing pond
A large picnic shelter
Restrooms
A mountain bike course
Multipurpose field
A playground
Two full-sized baseball/softball fields

Airport Park

500 Ammons Road, Spartanburg , SC

Parent Review of Airport Park

This is a well-loved park year-round in Spartanburg where kids can play on airport-themed equipment and watch the planes overhead. During the summer, there is also a splash pad.

This park includes:

Parking
Picnic Shelter
Playground
Restrooms
Splash pad (summer only)
Swings
Trails

295 Park

2100 Southport Road, Spartanburg , SC

This park includes:

Baseball/Softball Field
Picnic Tables
Playground
Restrooms

Arkwright Park

423 Sims Chapel Road, Spartanburg , SC

This park includes:

Green Space
Grill
Outdoor Basketball Court
Parking
Picnic Shelter
Picnic Tables
Playground
Swings
Trails

Play on Main at Denny's

15 S Liberty St, Spartanburg , SC

Play on Main is the playground for Meeting Street School, located on Main Street in Downtown Spartanburg. It is open to the public when school is not in session during daylight hours. The park has a solid surface rubber ground throughout, with unique climbing structures including ropes, hanging platforms, chain bridge, and more.

This park includes:

Fenced playground with latched gate.
Rubber surface
Unique climbing structures
Swings, including parent/child swing for parents with babies and parents with special needs children
Musical instrument space

There are no restrooms at this park, but public restrooms are located across the street.

Croft State Park

450 Croft State Park Road, Spartanburg , SC

Parent Review of Croft State Park

Croft State Park is over 7000 acres and offers everything from a playground to hiking and biking trails. As a state park, there is an admission fee: $3 for adults over the age of 15, $1.50 for seniors, $1 for kids ages 6-15, and free for children age 5 and under.

This park includes:

Bicycle Trail (Mountain)
Boat Ramp
Campground
Fishing
Grill
Parking
Picnic Shelter
Restrooms
Trails

Tiger Park

650 Howard Street, Spartanburg , SC

Dr. T.K. Gregg Community Center Website

Tiger Park is located at the Dr. T.K. Gregg Community Center.

Little Africa Park

1701 Little Africa Road, Chesnee , SC

Located in Chesnee, this is a small community park.

This park includes:

Baseball/Softball Field
Grill
Parking
Picnic Shelter
Playground
Restrooms

Chesnee Park

332 E Union Street, Chesnee , SC

Parent Review of Chesnee Park

This park by the Chesnee Community Center is used for sports games and tournaments; however, it does have a playground.

This park includes:

Baseball/Softball Field
Parking
Picnic Tables
Playground
Restrooms

Priscilla Rumley Park

100 Alexander Avenue, Spartanburg , SC

Located on the southside of Spartanburg, this park is near Mary H Wright Greenway.

This park includes:

Grill
Outdoor Basketball Court
Picnic Shelter
Playground

Willow Oaks Park

194 W. Hampton Street, Spartanburg , SC

This neighborhood park is located in Hampton Heights.

This park includes:

Green Space
Grill
Playground
Swings

Irwin Park

S Irwin Avenue, Spartanburg , SC

Irwin Park is a 14-acre neighborhood park.

This park includes:

Baseball/Softball Field
Outdoor Basketball Court
Parking
Picnic Shelter
Playground

Gordon Henry Park

209 S Linda Street, Cowpens , SC

This park is located near downtown Cowpens.

This park includes:

Baseball/Softball Field
Grill
Outdoor Basketball Court
Parking
Picnic Shelter
Playground
Restrooms
Swings
Tennis Court

Brookwood Park

199 South Bomar Avenue, Landrum , SC

Parent Review of Brookwood Park

Brookwood Park Playground in Landrum, SC

This shaded park is located in Landrum’s business district.

This park includes:

Green Space
Grill
Outdoor Fitness Equipment
Parking
Picnic Shelter
Playground
Restrooms
Swings
Trails

C.C. Woodson Community Center and Playground

210 Bomar Ave, Spartanburg , SC

C.C. Woodson Community Center Website

The C.C. Woodson Community Center has a playground and swimming pool. Swimming is available for $1-3 per person during open swim times. The playground, which is behind the center and accessed by the community center parking lot or along Sunny Street, features one large climbing structure along side obstacle course components to climb and jump.

This playground includes:

Sun! There is very little shade.
The playground has mulched ground cover
Large climbing structure
Parking lot or street parking
Swimming is available through the community center (Youth city resident: Free, Youth non resident: $1, Adult resident: $2, Adult non-resident: $3)

Wards Creek Park

1 Elmer Street, Greer , SC

This park is located in Greer.

This park includes:

Outdoor Basketball Court
Picnic Shelter
Playground

Croftstone Park

118 Broughton Drive, Greenville , SC

This quiet, neighborhood park has a sand pit with a digger, basketball court, swings and a shady playground.

Basketball, sand pit
Shady playground, swings
No restrooms
Parking area for two cars

North Spartanburg Park

1160 Old Furnace Road, Boiling Springs , SC

Parent Review of North Spartanburg Park

Home to a fully accessible playground, this park is located in Boiling Springs.

This park includes:

Baseball/Softball Field
Bicycle Motocross (BMX)
Outdoor Fitness Equipment
Parking
Picnic Shelter
Playground
Restrooms
Swings
Trails

Spartanburg Parks and Playgrounds, Spartanburg, SC

This page is part of the Greater Greenville Area Ultimate Park Guide. Head there for more parks that you can sort by location, feature, amenities, and more.

There are lots more fun things to in Spartanburg! Get the full list of Spartanburg Fun and go Kidding Around Spartanburg.

The New Playground at McKinney Park Is Next Level – Literally!

If your kids love to climb, slide, and splash, then RUN—don’t walk—to the newly updated McKinney Park in Woodruff, SC! You’ll find a brand new playground where kids can climb sky-high, zoom down half a dozen slides, and leap across the splash pad. Just 30 minutes from Greenville and Spartanburg, this park is sure to be packed out once summer gets started!

Image of oversized beach chair in front of new playground equipment and splash pad.

Quick Summary: McKinney Park WOW!

This revamped community park has it all:

A sky-high climbing structure with epic slides
A separate toddler playground (no big kids trampling little ones!)
A splash pad between both play areas 💦
Shaded seating, swings, picnic pavilions & more

Located behind Woodruff City Hall, it’s partially fenced with multiple entrances — just keep an eye on the gates!

📍 McKinney Park, Woodruff SC
🚗 Free street parking on S. Pearson Street & Parkside Drive

Watch! Take a Closer Look at McKinney Park

Tucked right behind City Hall in Woodruff, South Carolina, McKinney Park has long been a staple of the local community—a place where families gather, children play, and memories are made. Originally established decades ago, the park has evolved to meet the changing needs of the community.

And with the recent addition of brand-new, state-of-the-art playground equipment, McKinney Park is stepping into a new era. The park’s new layout and amenities make it ideal for family outings, playdates, and community events. Whether you’re a long-time resident or a first-time visitor, there’s no better time to check out this revitalized community park!

When you arrive, plan to use the free street parking which wraps around this Woodruff park on both South Pearson Street and Parkside Drive. This family-friendly park is partially fenced, and there are gates from both these streets, allowing for easy entry and departure. Parents should note that these gates are occasionally left open, so it’s worth keeping a sharp eye on children, especially around these access points.

Image of tube slides and climbing dome on new playground.

Image of child climbing up stairs on new playground equipment.

Bright playground fun with slides and climbing structures in Greenville, SC.

McKinney Park’s New Playground: An Epic Climb

The City of Woodruff just unveiled a brand new playground at McKinney Park, and this has got to be one of the best playgrounds in all of Spartanburg County! Since the grand opening in mid-April, word is spreading quickly, and this is sure to become one of Spartanburg’s most popular parks by the time summer rolls around!

The centerpiece is a towering new playset, designed for children roughly ages 6 to 12 years and beckoning with adventure! Kids will climb onto the first level through an array of sensory and climbing structures.

From there, they’ll have the option to slide back down to the ground, test their strength across a twisting rope ladder to the large climbing dome, or climb to new heights through a fully enclosed ropes course up to the sky! For those who brave the climb, they’ll be rewarded with two thrilling tube slides to rocket them back to ground level.

Image of the toddler playground with monkey bars, baby slides, tube tunnel, and taller slide.

Ground-Level Play for Your Littlest Adventurers

If you’ve got kids too little to make the climb or more timid explorers, there’s no shortage of options closer to the ground, too! The new play equipment features sensory stations at every turn, a spinning merry-go-all, and even more.

McKinney Park’s toddler playground is a huge gift to those of us with tiny tots. It has its own space, set apart from the larger play structure, giving your littlest family members some much-needed wiggle room from the bigger kids who are sure to be running around! One end of the toddler playground is perfectly designed for babies, with low stairs and two low slides. This connects by tube tunnel to a slightly taller play area, perfect for preschoolers!

Image of the splash pad water fountains shooting up directly in front of the new playground equipment.

Splish, Splash, Repeat: Water Play for All Ages

One of the best parts of McKinney Park? The simple, spacious splash pad—perfectly placed for parents and children alike, right between the two playgrounds!

Grown-ups can get comfortable on the shaded benches surrounding the splash pad, maintaining a line of sight to both the toddler playground and the one for bigger kids on either side. And kids can (and do!) run through the ring of fountains and then off to the playgrounds and back again as much as they desire!

More Photos: McKinney Park Splash Pad

The splash pad at the McKinney Park playground in Woodruff, SC

Benches for parents at the splash pad at the McKinney Park playground in Woodruff, SC

MORE! Find more splash pads in Spartanburg, SC

Additional Amenities to Explore

Multiple covered picnic pavilions provide ample seating options for parents to relax in the shade while their kids play in the sun, and the main pavilion in the middle of McKinney Park also includes public restrooms and water fountains for families to use.

On the far side of the main pavilion, you’ll find an awesome grassy amphitheater with a large sunshade covering the concrete stage. Surrounded by greenspace and young trees, this is a stellar area to take a break with your kids from the busier playgrounds. On our family’s next visit, I definitely plan to bring a picnic blanket and a frisbee!

Look up the hill, and you’ll discover McKinney Park’s swing set, complete with standard swings, baby swings, and accessible swings. There’s a sidewalk connecting these to the family-friendly playgrounds, splash pad, and main pavilion. A little free library and veteran’s memorial are works in progress along this path, adding points of future reflection for families.

Image of the amphitheater looking down towards the stage with the baseball field behind it.

Special Events at McKinney Park

McKinney Park is a gathering place for many of the town’s local events throughout the year. Woodruff’s Farmer’s Market typically sets up in City Hall’s neighboring parking lot one Saturday a month, and youth sports make frequent use of the baseball field. In the spring, watch for Woodruff’s annual Spring Fling and EGGstravaganza events! Plus, a growing summer tradition—the McKinney Park Concert Series! This brings local bands and food trucks to the amphitheater for evenings of music, good eats, and fun.

Keep your eyes on the Woodruff City Calendar for details about these events and more that could be happening at McKinney Park throughout the year!

Mountain Biking & More for Families: Holston Creek Park in Inman, SC

Inside: Locals share their favorite things about Holston Creek Park including a great playground, biking trails and mountain views.

Did you know Inman has a great park with family-friendly mountain biking trails? Holston Creek Park in Inman, SC not only has classics like a fun playground for the kids, fields, and picnic shelters, but it also features a 27-hole disc golf course, beautiful mountain views, and very accessible mountain bike trails that the whole family can enjoy.

Our family spent a couple of hours mountain biking recently and we wanted to share this special spot.

Watch: Mountain Biking at Holston Creek Park

What’s so Great About Biking at Holston Creek?

The trails flow smoothly and are mostly flat.
Small jumps make the trail interesting, but they can also just be rolled over for less confident riders.
The trail offers pretty views of the mountains, and also a wooded trail experience.
The 2.3 mile loop offers a turn-off for a shorter ride. Our family of teens and pre-teens did both the shorter and longer routes several times within a couple of hours of riding.
The trail’s design ensures that it is both accessible and fun for riders of varying ages and skill levels.
Tame trails mean you don’t need a specialized bike with all the bells and whistles to enjoy the trails and ride.

Mountain Biking trail at Holston Creek Park in Inman, SC

About Holston Creek Park

Holston Creek Park in Inman, SC, offers a lot for families with a wide variety of outdoor activities in a scenic and well-kept environment. The park features a 27-hole disc golf course, which is one of its main attractions. The course is set in a beautifully wooded area, providing players with a challenging yet enjoyable experience. Whether you’re a seasoned disc golfer or a beginner, the layout of the course accommodates all skill levels, with a mix of open and wooded holes that offer a good balance of difficulty and fun.

For families, the park also includes a playground area where kids can play and burn off energy while surrounded by nature. With nearby picnic shelters and restrooms, families can easily spend an afternoon here. Younger kids can play while older kids enjoy the well-maintained biking trail. Holston Creek Park as a versatile and enjoyable destination for outdoor recreation.

Quick Review:

Parking on site.
Restrooms available.
Activities for a wide variety of ages.
FREE to use.

Want to see more mountain biking trails? Here’s your guide to Mountain Biking Trails in the Upstate.

Find more places to play. See more great parks in Spartanburg County.

Sadlers Creek State Park: Fishing and Swimming Spots Abound in this Anderson Park, SC

Inside: A local mom visits Sadlers Creek State Park and shares all the details and things to love!

Have you visited Sadlers Creek State Park? There are 47 South Carolina State Parks and many are definitely worth the drive from Greenville. KAG Contributor Andrea Beam is exploring the state parks across South Carolina. After she visited Sadlers Creek State Park she wanted to share her visit with our readers. We think you’ll love the beautiful scenery and amenities of this state park in Anderson, SC.

Boating and Swimming at Sadlers Creek

Two docks provide access to Lake Hartwell for private boats, kayaks, canoes, and other paddle sports.

You are permitted to swim at-your-own risk in Lake Hartwell. There are no designated swim areas or lifeguards.

Sadlers Creek Fishing Pier

A paved walkway leading down to the 100-foot pier makes this spot easily accessible for fishermen (or visitors). The day we were there, the roads and parking lots were covered in leaves. The ramp to the pier was exceptionally clean and free of leaves – groundskeepers had obviously been hard at work.

The park sits on Lake Hartwell, a man-made lake named after Revolutionary War heroin Nancy Hart. Army Corps of Engineers operates the dam. Interpretative signs with information about Lake Hartwell and fish facts are placed near the pier. The sign, made possible by a donation from the Bosch Foundation, also teaches which fish are safe to eat and how to prepare them.

Fishing Equipment for Free at Sadlers Creek

Sadlers Creek State Park also participates in the Tackle Loaner Program which allows you to borrow basic fishing equipment from the park office for free.

Hiking at Sadlers Creek

If you like to hike, you will enjoy Pine Grove Nature Trail. Bikers can explore Sadlers Creek on bike trails throughout the park. A half-mile paved path winds through the woods from the park office to the pier. Handrails and benches dot the path. Visitors with walkers and/or wheelchairs can relish the total park experience here.

Educational signs along the trail teach about animal habitats and plants. This feature fit perfectly into my science curriculum for my homeschooled son.

Child on the nature trail at Saddlers Creek State Park

Camping at Sadlers Creek

Three campground loops provide space for campers of all kinds. Lakefront campsites provide spectacular views. A primitive tent area is available for organized groups. We’re excited to pitch our tent in this park. We’ll just have to wait until the campground is next to empty. For some reason, I thought it would be a good idea to purchase the Biltmore House of tents. <Insert all the eye rolls>

Day guests can picnic in shaded areas with playgrounds, including a horseshoe pit and volleyball court. Bathhouses are located next to recreational spaces. Two picnic shelters can be rented for large group gatherings. A lakefront pavilion is covered and paved, with lots of picnic tables and a huge handicapped-accessible restroom. We were especially impressed with the cleanliness of this entire section.

Sadlers Creek State Park Website
940 Sadlers Creek Road, Anderson, SC

Admission: $3/ages 16+, $1/age 6-15, Free/age 5 and under, $1.50/seniors

Have you visited Sadlers Creek?

Love SC State Parks as much as we do?

Be sure to check out Kidding Around Greenville’s State Park Guide to All 47 State Parks!

Are you looking for more fun things to do in Anderson, SC? Check out our Kidding Around Review of Kid Venture 2.0 in Anderson, SC!

This article was originally written by Andrea Beam and has been updated by the Kidding Around Team.

Where to Throw a Great Outdoor Birthday Party in Greenville, SC

Inside: A quick list of our favorite places to have a birthday party outdoors in Greenville, SC.

Thinking about hosting an outdoor birthday party in Greenville? Searching for “outdoor birthday party venues near me”? You’re in the right spot. One of the great things about Greenville is our moderate weather. This means birthday parties outside are often a reasonable option. We recently compiled your ideas about indoor birthday party spots but for those who like fun in the sun (or just being outdoors as long as it’s not pouring and/or freezing!), here’s a list of fabulous outdoor birthday party spots.

Outdoor Birthday Party Venues Near Greenville

Outdoor Parties at Parks in Greenville

Depending on the location, you can reserve a gazebo at one of the many local parks. If you’d rather skip the fee, you can press your luck or just plan on picnic blankets at one of the parks that doesn’t take reservations. This tends to be a popular option for young kids and can be as easy as sending out a few e-invites and grabbing some cupcakes. Also great for your sports fans as you can do a soccer party or basketball, etc.

Paris Mountain State Park– you can simply rent a shelter in the park or with so many spots throughout the park, you have many options including camping.

Tables under a pavilion at the Greenville Airport park

Venues for Outside Birthday Parties

The Greenville Zoo has birthday party packages for children. You can also reserve a shelter at the nearby Cleveland Park or look into group rates for admission. This, of course, lends itself to lots of fun themes of lions, tigers, and bears as well as safari or jungle adventure!

Pools or splash pads – Pool parties in Greenville have various fees, though your local community/neighborhood/apartment pool maybe an inexpensive option (see their specific rules for guest limits and so forth). The Greenville Recreation Department has party packages for their waterparks and aquatic center (which technically is indoors so nice weatherproof option).

Don’t forget Shipwreck Cove – they offer birthday party packages too! You could also check out the splash pad downtown near the Reedy River or the Duncan splash pad.

Takeoff Mini-Golf– Airplane-themed mini golf beside the Greenville Airport Park. This birthday package allows kids to take a birthday plane ride!

Restaurant patio options

The Runway Cafe at the Greenville Airport Park has a patio right next to the playground. We’ve done two birthdays there. Reserve a few patio tables and order drinks and food for your guests (we do a bunch of appetizers and then guests can order additional items depending on their needs and dietary restrictions). Bigger groups can even reserve a hanger! Airplanes are an obvious theme but we also did Rainbow Dash!

O-Cha Tea Bar– They offer birthday party packages; call for your custom package. With windows all around you get a good view of the Reedy River or you can go on the patio, the grass or even the nearby splash pad as mentioned above. Perhaps a standard tea party, Alice in Wonderland, or Mulan theme are all a given but maybe a modern Tokyo theme for preteens? Lots of fun concepts here! Maybe a trip to the nearby splash pad if it’s sunny!

Farms

Happy Cow Creamery– This looks like the ultimate dairy party! See the animals, tour the farm, and play some old fashion games!

Hidden Pasture Farm– Birthday parties with a unicorn? Is there anything better?

Throwing a birthday party?

Be sure to check out our Ultimate Birthday Party Guide to help you.

Throwing an indoor birthday party? We’ve got the lowdown on the best indoor birthday parties in Greenville.

What’s your favorite outdoor party spot? Let us know in the comments!

Archive for the ‘Things to Do Outside’ Category

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Our Favorite Spartanburg Parks

Get them all! Parks in Spartanburg County

Summer Hill Park

Happy Hollow Park

Chapel Street Park

Anchor Park

Boiling Springs Community Park

Duncan Park

St. Matthews Park

Beaumont Park

Barnet Park

Downtown Library Park

Inman Mills Park

Stoneledge Park

Rail Yard Community Park

Sealy Park

River Place Park

Lake Cooley Park

South Converse Street Park

Lyman Park

Linville Hills Park

Gib Gosnell Park

Tyger River Park

Cleveland Park in Spartanburg

Bryant Road Park

Hillcrest Park

Pacolet Park

Leroy Mathis Park

Stewart Park

Holston Creek Park

Airport Park

295 Park

Arkwright Park

Play on Main at Denny's

Croft State Park

Tiger Park

Little Africa Park

Chesnee Park

Priscilla Rumley Park

Willow Oaks Park

Irwin Park