Looking for a playground near West Greenville? The playground at Freetown Community Center might be just the right fit. Featuring two play structures in the fenced playground, Kidding Around Contributor India Menon found Freetown Community Center’s playground a great place to spend some family time. Find out all about what this park has to offer!
Whenever someone asks me why Greenville is a great place to raise a family, I am quick to mention its fabulous parks and playgrounds. A recent visit to Freetown Community Center, one of 39 parks in the city of Greenville, reinforces this point.
On a Saturday afternoon, my family of four, including a 4-year old and 18-month old, found itself with a few hours to spare and cooperative weather. To the park at Freetown Community Center we went!
Looking for more Greenville, SC area parks and playgrounds? We have them all right here in our Upstate Park Guide. Check it out to sort park listings by the amenities, features, and location you need.
Why is it Called Freetown?
Just a stone’s throw from The Village of West Greenville, Freetown Community Center is nestled in residential Freetown*. Rich in history this residential area was established in the late 19th century. Plots of land were sold to freed slaves, making Freetown one of the first Greenville communities in which freed slaves could own land and their own home. It is one of Greenville’s oldest subdivisions. (Fun fact: Many of the streets in Freetown are named for past residents!)
*To read more about the history of Freetown, there is an informative pamphlet published by the Greenville County Redevelopment Authority.
Playground at Freetown Community Center
On a sunny Saturday afternoon, there was plenty of parking in the Freetown Community Center parking lot and there were only two other families on the playground. And what a cool playground it is!
The vibrant orange and green equipment was just installed within the past few years and still seems brand new. The park’s two big play structures have a variety of elements that are designed for kids between the ages of 2 all the way up to 12. There are several really neat interactive features, including something called a neutron spinner that my 4-year old really enjoyed. Between the two structures there are 9 slides. There are also two each of baby swings, regular swings, and inclusive swings. The playground equipment was designed with accessibility in mind and the playground is wheelchair accessible.
Picnics and Amenities at Freetown Community Center Park
There are three picnic tables in the playground area and two more near the community center. While there are a few benches in the playground area, more seasoned Freetown patrons bring folding chairs, so they can seek out shade. A few trees provide shade along the perimeter of this playground. Gratefully for those of us with kids who are prone to wander, the playground is fenced.
The other families using the park mentioned they enjoy the playground because it is clean and rarely crowded.
Bathroom access at Freetown Community Center is limited to the community center’s open hours (Mondays – Wednesdays 10 am – 6 pm, Thursday & Fridays, 2-6 pm). A staff member at the Center mentioned that if the door is locked during these hours, just knock or call the number listed on the door. If you ride your bike to the playground, there are several bike racks available. In addition to the playground, Freetown Community Center has a modest athletic field and basketball court outside. My family also looks forward to returning to see the progress on the community garden, which was being prepped for planting when we visited.
Freetown Community Center Park is located at 200 Alice Ave, Greenville, SC 29611.
Have you visited the park at Freetown Community Center?
