Inside: The heartwarming story of how the new Playscape at Conestee Nature Preserve came to be, plus what you can expect when you visit.
In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene on September 27, 2024, driving around (if you could drive around) looked like the Apocalypse. How could anything good come out of such destruction? The new playscape at Conestee Nature Preserve answers that question.
How could anything good come from such destruction is a question I often asked myself following Helene.
But a lot of good came out of the disaster – we witnessed the coming together of our community in ways we never imagined. Even writing this now, more than six months later, it still gives me goosebumps. I don’t think we will ever hear the end of the heroic acts and selfless decisions made following the storm.
Quick Summary: Playscape at Conestee Nature Preserve
🌳 A brand-new natural playscape is rising from the very trees that fell during Helene. Designed by TreeHugger Custom Builders, this space is nothing short of breathtaking. Think bridges, walkways, and a throne made from Helene’s downed trees—each piece tells a story of resilience.
🛠️ From twisted branches to log-carved steps, every detail is stunning. Artist Matt McClain turned destruction into art, creating a space that inspires wonder and healing.
🗓️ Opens to the public Saturday, April 12th
🚻 Porta-potties are available near the fenced-in playscape. Bathrooms are near the baseball field.📍840 Mauldin Road, Greenville
Watch! See the Playscape
One of those amazing stories is right here in Greenville at the Conestee Nature Preserve. Nearly an entire playscape was constructed from the fallen trees of Helene. Here’s what happened.
Having the Dream
In 2022, the Conestee Nature Preserve wanted to create a natural playscape for their guests, something that would introduce kids to the wonders of nature in an area that was safe and fun. They started raising money to make their dream a reality.
Fundraising is tough and this large of a project took a significant amount of time and energy to pursue. TreeHugger Custom Builders was hired to create the design and that’s where the magic started to happen.
TreeHugger Custom Builders
Walking into the playscape felt like walking into Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory but without all the sweets. This was a sugar overload for the mind instead. The beauty of the woodwork throughout the structures was immediately apparent and I was hooked.
Branches were twisted to make arches. Exquisite details made the bridge something I was immediately drawn to. The natural steps carved from logs and the planks that ran around the beaver dam were all obviously man-made but looked like they were meant to be there.
Matt McClain at TreeHugger is behind all those structures. His vision of taking the beauty of nature and weaving it throughout this playscape is stamped everywhere. If you’ve been to the Old Soul Treehouse in Waterloo (that we wrote about), you’ve seen his handiwork. Matt’s work is also featured at City Scape Winery, Stone Pin Bowling Alley, and Table 301 here in Greenville.
I wouldn’t even call what Matt does woodworking. It’s art. It will capture your eyes and head straight to your heart. I really do think it’s that beautiful.
Rising from the Storm
When Helene hit and mountains of debris littered the city and the Conestee Nature Preserve itself, Matt decided to make use of all that wood and build it into something beautiful.
Right when you walk into the playscape to your left is the story-telling area with benches and a seat fit for a king or queen. Those benches all came from downed trees. The throne-like structure came from a tree that came down on Pleasantburg Drive. It is shockingly beautiful. Go sit there and talk. Your voice will do neat things when you sit inside of it.
The bridge over the walkway next to the beaver dam is made from Helene trees. The walkways and hawks nests and railings and platforms all came from trees that were felled during the storm.
Taking salvaged material is something of a staple in Matt’s work. He’s been doing it for the last ten years so this project was perfect for him.
The creek that flows through the playscape is totally manmade and does not take water from the Reedy River. The water here is filtered and clean. This is completely separate from the river.
Part of the Healing Process
Matt is a master artist whose work will inspire creativity and imagination no matter what ages run through that playscape.
One of the more prevailing scars from Helene is not only on the land but also on our hearts and minds. Processing the destruction is hard. Seeing crushed buildings and trees fallen on mountains like pickup sticks is like a gut punch every time. What Matt and Conestee Nature Preserve did together helps in this healing process to restore hope and beauty to the landscape. And what a gift that is to the community.
Visiting the Playscape
The playscape opens to the public on Saturday, April 12th. It is almost entirely fenced in and there are porta-potties right now. The Preserve is trying to raise money to build standalone bathrooms but that is costly. There are real bathrooms closer to the baseball field.
The playscape is closest to the parking lot nearest the baseball fields and right next to the community garden.
No pets are allowed at the playscape.
840 Mauldin Road, Greenville
Conestee Nature Preserve Playscape
