Greenville Welcomes ‘Path to Progress’ Showcasing Local History
In a delightful addition to Unity Park, Greenville has recently unveiled a captivating exhibition titled ‘Path to Progress’. This installation features a row of 12 display panels that explore the rich and often challenging history of Unity Park and its surrounding neighborhoods. The unveiling took place on November 1 and is sponsored by The Daniel-Mickel Foundation.
Located near the park’s Auro Bridge along the Prisma Health Swamp Rabbit Trail, the Path to Progress provides a compelling timeline that starts from the arrival of early settlers along the Reedy River and leads to the grand opening of Unity Park in 2022. These panels do more than just tell the story of a park; they hold a mirror to the historical struggles of the surrounding Southernside and West Greenville neighborhoods.
A Deep Dive into History
As you stroll along these panels, you’ll uncover various topics described in a chronological order that reflects both progress and setbacks. The exhibit notably addresses the racial inequality and neglect that have historically marked this 60-acre site. Mary Duckett, the president of Southernside Neighborhoods in Action, is candid about this past. “If you look back at the Path of Progress, you will see some of the horrific things that happened here,” she remarked. “It was a very unsafe, unhealthy place to live.”
The land where Unity Park now thrives was once home to two segregated parks: Mayberry Park and Meadowbrook Park. Mayberry Park, a designated spot for Black children, served as a lively gathering place for the local community, while Meadowbrook Park, built in the 1930s, was a baseball stadium reserved for an all-white team, sitting in stark contrast to its nearby counterpart. A patch of land that separated them was, unfortunately, a dumping ground, making the disparity evident to all who passed through.
The site’s troubling past included a women’s prison, a police shooting range, and a trash incinerator, which only adds layers to its complex history. The information presented in Path to Progress comes from the personal stories, photographs, and cherished memories of those who once lived in and around these communities. Minor Shaw, a trustee with the Daniel-Mickel Foundation, emphasized the effort involved, stating, “We felt that it was important to help tell the story of Unity Park, so those visiting the park would have a better understanding of its history.”
A Meaningful Contribution
Greenville City Councilmember Lillian Brock Flemming shared her gratitude towards The Daniel-Mickel Foundation, stating that such initiatives are crucial for keeping history alive. Being a longtime resident of Southernside herself, she fondly recalls her childhood days at Mayberry Park. “That means our history will not die,” she stated with a sense of pride.
Currently, the panels are meant to be temporary, but the final version of Path to Progress is expected to be installed in March, complete with a QR code for visitors to access additional historical information about the park.
Future Plans for Unity Park
As part of a broader initiative to honor the area’s past, the city of Greenville has plans to construct a new Little League baseball field on the site of the former Mayberry Park. In addition, an exciting feature known as the Honor Tower, a stunning 125-foot observation tower, is currently under construction and is expected to open in the summer of 2025. This combined effort aims to create a respectful space that reflects the resilience and history of the community while providing new opportunities for recreation and reflection.
As the Path to Progress unfolds in Unity Park, it invites everyone to engage with history and reflects on how far the community has come, reminding us all of the importance of remembering where we came from to appreciate where we are going.
