Greenville, SC, September 27, 2025
News Summary
Greenville, SC, is set to enhance recreational accessibility with the opening of Brooks’ Playground, its first fully inclusive playground, on September 30, 2025. Designed for children of all abilities, the playground promotes inclusive play. Additionally, local attractions like the Children’s Museum and Bon Secours Wellness Arena are implementing features to assist children with disabilities, ensuring fun and inclusive experiences for all families in the community.
Greenville, SC is committed to providing inclusive recreational options for families with children of all abilities. The city is set to open the new Brooks’ Playground, its first fully inclusive playground, on September 30, 2025. This playground is designed to allow children of any ability to climb, swing, and play together, promoting interaction and accessibility among all young visitors.
In addition to the new playground, several existing playgrounds in Greenville feature accessible equipment tailored for children with disabilities. The focus on accessibility extends to the Children’s Museum of the Upstate, which has made remarkable advances in enhancing the experience for all children. The museum has installed an elevator and a wheelchair-accessible walkway, enabling children to reach the top of the Climber. To assist with sensory regulation during visits, the museum provides sensory bags for children.
The museum’s leadership underscores that accessibility and inclusion are integral to their mission, further evidenced by hosting various sensory-friendly events. Families can look forward to activities like upcoming Halloween celebrations and adaptive visits available on Mondays for schools and organizations that serve children with disabilities.
Sporting venues in the city are also mindful of sensory sensitivities. The Bon Secours Wellness Arena features a Sensory Suite in Section 105, offering noise-canceling headphones, fidget tools, and quiet zones to accommodate guests. Families can borrow Sensory Bags during events at the arena which include fidget toys and anti-glare glasses.
The SC Children’s Theatre aims to become the most accessible theatre in South Carolina with a new building designed to be barrier-free. Over the past year, the theatre has taken significant steps to deepen accessibility, supported by grants and partnerships. They provide sensory-friendly viewing areas and also offer sign language interpreters for performances.
In addition, the Dance Without Limits program offers specialized dance classes exclusively for children with disabilities. The YMCA Camp Greenville also organizes the Spectrum & Stargazers Camp, tailored for families with children on the autism spectrum. At the Greenville Zoo, guests can access free sensory kits that include noise-canceling headphones and fidget toys.
For outdoor enthusiasts, Dolly Cooper Park features an accessible kayak launch, facilitating safe entry and exit from the water, and Caesar’s Head State Park presents stunning views that are reachable via a short paved trail, ensuring access for all visitors. Overall, these initiatives emphasize Greenville’s dedication to inclusivity and accessibility across diverse recreational activities and communal life.
FAQ
- What is Brooks’ Playground?
- Brooks’ Playground is Greenville’s first fully inclusive playground, designed for children of any and all abilities to climb, swing, and play together. It is set to open on September 30, 2025.
- What is available for sensory regulation at the Children’s Museum of the Upstate?
- The museum offers sensory bags for children to help them regulate during their visits, along with an elevator and wheelchair-accessible walkway to reach the Climber.
- What features does Bon Secours Wellness Arena provide for guests with sensory sensitivities?
- The arena has a Sensory Suite in Section 105 that includes noise-canceling headphones, fidget tools, and quiet zones. Families can also borrow Sensory Bags during events.
- What services does the SC Children’s Theatre offer for accessibility?
- The theatre provides sensory-friendly viewing areas and sign language interpreters, and it aims to be the most accessible theatre in South Carolina with its new barrier-free building.
- What activities are available for families with children on the autism spectrum?
- The YMCA Camp Greenville organizes the Spectrum & Stargazers Camp specifically for families with children on the autism spectrum.
- What outdoor recreational options are available in Greenville?
- Dolly Cooper Park has an accessible kayak launch, and Caesar’s Head State Park is accessible via a short paved trail, allowing visitors to enjoy scenic views.
Key Features of Accessibility Initiatives in Greenville
| Initiative | Description |
|---|---|
| Brooks’ Playground | Fully inclusive playground opening on September 30, 2025, designed for children of all abilities. |
| Children’s Museum of the Upstate | Accessible equipment, sensory bags for visits, sensory-friendly events, and adaptive visits on Mondays. |
| Bon Secours Wellness Arena | Sensory Suite with noise-canceling headphones, fidget tools, and Sensory Bags available during events. |
| SC Children’s Theatre | Barrier-free building, sensory-friendly viewing areas, and sign language interpreters. |
| YMCA Camp Greenville | Spectrum & Stargazers Camp for families with children on the autism spectrum. |
| Dolly Cooper Park | Accessible kayak launch for safe water access. |
| Caesar’s Head State Park | Accessible via a short paved trail for scenic views. |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Greenville City Council Tackles Greenlink Property and Playground Investment
Greenville Develops New Multi-Million Dollar Wheelsports Park
Greenville Unveils Plans for Brooks’ Playground
Greenville, SC: A Family Playground Haven
Additional Resources
- Kidding Around Greenville: Accessibility in Greenville SC
- Greenville Journal: Residents Share Ideas for Greenville’s Wheelsports Park
- Business Insider: Why Greenville, South Carolina is the Best US City to Visit
- WYFF: Renovations & Expansion Plans for Bon Secours Wellness Arena
- Spectrum News: Greenville Breaks Ground on First Inclusive Playground
- Wikipedia: Greenville, South Carolina
- Google Search: Greenville SC accessibility
- Google Scholar: Greenville South Carolina inclusivity
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Greenville, South Carolina
- Google News: Greenville SC playgrounds accessible
Author: STAFF HERE GREENVILLE
The HERE Greenville Staff Writers are a collaborative team of journalists, editors, and local contributors passionate about delivering accurate, timely information to the Greenville community. As part of the HEREcity.com Network, which powers over 100 U.S. city sites including HEREcolumbia.com, our staff draws on collective experience in South Carolina journalism to cover everything from business sales and real estate developments to dining deals and community initiatives. Our Expertise and Background Local Roots in Greenville Our team includes lifelong Greenville residents and SC natives with deep knowledge of the area’s history, economy, and culture. We’ve covered key events like the recent sales in the Heritage Historic District 17 , Greenville’s textile and railroad heritage 2 , and growth in local education sectors (e.g., Greenville Technical College programs) 27 . Collective Experience With over 50 combined years in journalism, our staff has backgrounds in print, digital media, and community reporting. We prioritize fact-based stories, drawing from sources like the Greenville Chamber of Commerce, city government records, and on-the-ground interviews. Commitment to Quality Every article is a group effort, involving research, editing, and verification to ensure reliability. We adhere to journalistic standards, citing credible sources and updating content as new details emerge.
