Summer Along the Reedy River

Many people would say that the heart of Greenville is downtown, especially Falls Park. After spending this summer with Friends of the Reedy River, though, I came to see it differently. The true heart of Greenville isn’t a building or a landmark. It’s the Reedy River. From Furman University, where I study, to Travelers Rest, Unity Park, and downtown, the river quietly connects the entire city. 

The river has shaped Greenville for centuries. It supported Indigenous communities, influenced early settlements, powered textile mills, and continues to define many of the places people enjoy today. Without the Reedy River, Greenville simply would not be the city it is now. 

My name is Jay Jung and I am a rising junior from Gunpo-si, South Korea. This summer, I have been working as a Community Engagement Intern with Friends of the Reedy River, a nonprofit dedicated to protecting and restoring this incredible resource. My projects have ranged from creating social media content and designing merchandise to researching the river, brainstorming community events, and participating in staff meetings. I also had the opportunity to join the organization’s weekly water quality monitoring, where we measured pH, dissolved oxygen, conductivity, and other indicators that help us understand the health of the river. 

As a Sustainability Science and Business Administration double major, I appreciated having the chance to experience both the environmental and community sides of conservation. Before this internship, I thought protecting a river was mostly about science. I quickly realized it also depends on educating people, building relationships, and getting the community involved. 

Still, my favorite part of the internship happened before I even settled into my daily responsibilities. 

My supervisor, Andrea Payment, took me on a tour of the Reedy River. Before that day, I thought the Reedy River was basically Falls Park. I had no idea how much more there was to discover. 

Every stop felt completely different. Conestee Nature Preserve was peaceful and full of wildlife. Rock Quarry Garden looked like something from a fairytale. Cedar Falls Park showed the river at its strongest, while Boyd Mill Pond felt like Greenville’s own hidden version of Niagara Falls. The river was so much larger and more diverse than I had ever imagined. 

These were the kinds of places I wanted everyone to know about, while secretly hoping they would stay hidden. More than anything, exploring the river made me fall in love with Greenville for the first time. 

I had heard plenty of people say that there isn’t much to do in Greenville, and honestly, I used to think the same. Now I couldn’t disagree more. If you follow the Reedy River instead of stopping at downtown, you’ll discover a completely different side of the city. And if you’re lucky, you might even spot a curious little groundhog along the way. 

Falling in love with these places also changed the way I think about community engagement. I realized it isn’t just about sharing facts or promoting events. It begins with genuinely caring about a place yourself. Once I started appreciating the river, I naturally wanted my friends, my family, and everyone else to experience it too. 

So if you’ve lived in Greenville for years, or if you’re just visiting for the weekend, I encourage you to follow the Reedy River a little farther than you normally would. You may find a new favorite place, just like I did. And the more people who value this river, the better chance we have to protect it for future generations. 

Find Friends of the Reedy River online and on Instagram!