The most iconic place in Greenville is where the city’s earliest history melds with its modern identity. Falls Park on the Reedy—this magnificent, 32-acre park in the heart of the city—is filled with scenic overlooks, lush gardens, pathways, and, as the name suggests, a stunning cascade of natural falls.
Spanning the falls is the Liberty Bridge, a curved, cantilevered suspension bridge–designed by the acclaimed architect Miguel Rosales—with a geometry so unique it has yet to be replicated anywhere else. While this signature structure is today’s can’t-miss spot along the river, elsewhere in the park are the ruins of yesterday’s mills, which used the Reedy as a power source and ultimately birthed the city.
Scattered among the colorful flowers and native plants are markers detailing historic points of interest. Some other features to note:
Features of Falls Park
Main Street Bridge
A 1910 structure with a secluded seating area tucked underneath.
Community Foundation of Greenville Amphitheatre
A circular terrace lawn along the river with picturesque views.
TD Amphitheatre
A venue for the Upstate Shakespeare Festival and other outdoor performances.
River Lodge
A picnic shelter at the site where Richard Pearis, Greenville’s first European settler, established a trading post.
Furman Overlook
Notable for a uniquely beautiful American beech, known as the Medusa Tree thanks to its visible root structure.
Falls Lake Falls
A commissioned sculpture by internationally recognized artist Bryan Hunt, located in Tate Plaza at the park entrance.
Rose Crystal Tower
A sculpture made of rose-colored polyvitro by renowned artist Dale Chihuly, to honor Harriet Wyche for her role in establishing Falls Park. Located in the Harriet Wyche Memorial Garden.
Liberty Bridge: By the Numbers
- $4.5M project designed by Miguel Rosales
- Horizontal curve radius of 214 feet
- Spans 345 feet across the falls
- Two 90-foot suspension towers
- Towers lean downstream at a 15-degree angle
“Untitled 2002-2003”
A sculpture by Joel Shapiro commonly called the dancing man, located across the river from the main entrance at the Wyche Overlook.
Old Mill Garden
A downstream greenspace that contains ruins from the historic Vardry Mill.
Pedrick’s Garden
A two-acre memorial garden honoring Pedrick Lowry, who was instrumental in creating Falls Park. Features include a bronze Sunflower Fountain by Ed Zeigler, Charles Gunning, and Robert Brown.
Spring Falls Garden
Highlighted with a spring house constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps to provide fresh water to Greenvillians.
Restaurants
Passerelle Bistro, a casual French bistro, overlooks the park. Many other restaurants are just steps away.
FAST FACT
Falls Park on the Reedy River ranks among the Top 10 Best Parks in the United States, per TripAdvisor.
