Reedy River Wetlands Preserve now open at Greenville's Unity Park. Here's what to know.

Four acres of urban wetlands in Unity Park are now open to visitors in the the Reedy River Wetlands Preserve.

The preserve includes an outdoor classroom space, overlooks and a series of low-impact, ADA-accessible boardwalks offering vantage points to observe and learn about native species and wildlife. MKSK Studios designed the preserve and Harper General Contractors built it.

The wetlands area along the northern perimeter of the 60-acre park marks the original path of the Reedy River before it was diverted in a 1933 Depression-era project by city engineers and the federal Works Progress Administration, according to a previous city press release.

The restoration of the wetlands included the removal of invasive plant species as well as ash trees affected by the emerald ash borer, a wood-boring beetle that has killed millions of ash trees in North America, according to a press release from The Hughes Agency. In their place, workers placed at least 100 native trees and more than 200 native shrubs to promote sustainability.

Looking ahead: What's next for Unity Park in Greenville?

Reedy River Wetlands Preserve to feature outdoor classroom

BMW Manufacturing donated $1.25 million for the restoration project, in addition to a $500,000 grant from Duke Energy and $100,000 from the C. Dan Joyner Family.

Mayor Knox White said the fundraising "wasn't a hard sell."

"It's all about people," White said. "The tremendous diversity in the park, embraced by people — embrace of the message of unity and embrace of the beautiful spaces."

Manufactured by The Heirloom Companies of Greenville, the Duke Energy Outdoor Classroom is made up of 72 pieces of wood and twisted steel overlooking one of the wetland's vernal pools.

The classroom will be used to educate people about wetlands' environmental contributions and the purpose of their preservation. The C. Dan Joyner family funded one of three overlooks where visitors can learn about the native species and wildlife living in the wetlands ecosystem.

Duke Energy president Michael Callahan said it was important for companies like Duke to work alongside the communities they serve.

"As the son of public schoolteachers, that's why I was so excited that Duke Energy was able to provide the funding for this incredible classroom," Callahan said. "This is a unique facility that will educate the public about the wetlands and the important environmental contribution of wetlands and the need to preserve them. Public-private partnerships are critical to the success of projects like this, and I'm excited that Duke Energy stands alongside great organizations like BMW and C. Dan Joyner Company to bring this wetlands project to the people of Greenville."

"When we last came together and announced our donation of $1.25 million to restore and to preserve these wetlands, I pointed out that sustainability is an integral part of our corporate strategy," said Robert Engelhorn, president of BMW Manufacturing Company. "So today, it is truly great to see this ambition come to life."

Here's what to know about Unity Park's progress

The wetlands are the latest phase of park amenities to open this year. Unity Park is a public-private project on the west side of Greenville that includes the protection and enhancement of the Reedy River and restoration of historic Mayberry Park, along with new playgrounds, walking paths, basketball courts and more.

BMW Manufacturing's significant donation joins other corporate heavy hitters like Prisma Health and Michelin, who also gave $1 million to the park, and Duke Energy and Auro Hotels, who each gave $500,000 in 2019.

Greenville philanthropists and entrepreneurs Thomas and Vivian A. Wong also donated $1 million in December to build the Honor Tower, marking a major milestone for that project.

Rising 125 feet above the Reedy River, the Honor Tower will pay homage to law enforcement, firefighters, veterans, utility crews, EMS and public health workers. The structure will have an observation deck offering panoramic views of Greenville, as well as a plaza at the base of the tower for public ceremonies, memorials and tributes to veterans and first responders.

To fund the tower, the city will use $3.5 million in local accommodations tax, $1 million in hospitality tax and $1 million in "leftovers" from Unity Park's first construction phase budget — also primarily hospitality tax money. The Hughes Agency has raised the remainder of the funds in private donations to cover the total $11 million cost. The city plans to break ground on the project this year.

Also in the works is a new Mayberry Field, where Black residents held baseball games during Greenville's segregation. The city will build a new field for Little League baseball with contributions from Greenville Drive owner Craig Brown and his wife, Vicki, who pledged $500,000 for the project in 2019. The city will also plant gardens in the park sponsored by donors Billy and Teresa Webster.

Macon Atkinson is the city watchdog reporter for The Greenville News. She's powered by long runs and strong coffee. Follow her on Twitter @maconatkinson. 

This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Reedy River Wetlands Preserve now open at Greenville's Unity Park