Furman family at the center of new, inclusive playground

A generous gift from a Greenville, South Carolina, family to honor their daughter will provide a lasting contribution to other families who have children with special needs. Paul Foster, a 2002 Furman University history alumnus, and his wife, Reagin Foster, are at the center of a new City of Greenville playground under construction, Brooks’ Park, which was funded by $2.3 million from the city and $1.3 million in private donations, including a gift of $809,000 from the Fosters. Furman Athletics also contributed to the effort.

Named for the Fosters’ daughter, Brooks, who was born with a rare condition called Pontine Tegmental Cap Dysplasia, the park will cover a 10,640-square-foot space at Cleveland Park downtown. Designed for children ages 6 months to about 13 years old, the majority of the playground will be shaded and will feature accessible equipment and activities that provide a “just-right level of challenge and many opportunities to succeed,” according to the City of Greenville Parks, Recreation and Tourism website.

The project broke ground in October 2024 when the Greenville Journal reported the story. Sources with the city said the park is expected to open in the coming months.