The holidays are the perfect time to get outside, and even with the weather being a little unpredictable, the Upstate is full of great spots for outdoor play. We finally made it to Brooks’ Playground in Greenville, SC, and it did not disappoint. It’s the city’s first fully inclusive playground, thoughtfully designed so every child can play, move, and explore at their own pace.
We parked at Cleveland Park near the Greenville Zoo and walked over, which made it even more fun. There are all these new outdoor gym stations along the way — ropes, bikes, and climbing equipment — so the walk itself felt like part of the experience. There is parking right next to the the Brooks' Playground for convenience, but we really love stretching our legs and enjoying the short walk from the zoo’s parking area. It’s less than a 10-minute walk.
Located along the SWAMP RABBIT TRAIL, the Cleveland Park area is fantastic. Now, instead of just one playground, there are two, making it easy to spend an entire day here. We love parking at the zoo and walking to Falls Park, and with this wonderful new addition, that walk is even more exciting for the kids!
Once you get there, the first thing you notice is that the playground is fully gated and covered with artificial grass, which is such a nice touch. It’s not a huge space, but it’s really well thought out and surprisingly well shaded. The colors and playful elements are balanced perfectly, making it both fun and inviting.
There are sit-and-spin chairs with high backs, really engaging interactive panels, and lots of spinners (line an inclusive orbit) and gliders where the platforms sit flush with the ground, making them easy to get on and off. So many of the play elements are low to the ground, which makes the whole space feel welcoming and unintimidating—especially for younger kids or those who need extra support.
Beyond the inclusive equipment, it’s also incredibly toddler-friendly. The soft grass surfacing is a big win, and there are little pockets of play scattered throughout that feel just right for smaller kids who like to explore at their own pace. It’s clearly designed with younger children in mind, so there isn’t a lot of wide-open space for older kids to run full speed—but that actually adds to the calm, thoughtful feel of the playground.
Our kids couldn’t get enough of the zip lines—there are two of them. One has a disk seat, and the other is a chair with a secure buckle system, which made it feel extra safe and accessible. Both are set close to the ground, with very minimal kickback at the end, so it never felt intimidating or rough. The kids just wanted to go again and again.
And can we talk about the shade? Because it truly deserves its own moment. The shade is truly there and plentiful—layers of umbrellas cover all of the equipment and, in some spots, even overlap each other for extra protection, creating real relief from the sun instead of just a token shaded spot. We’ve been living in the Upstate for a few years now, and honestly, finding a well-shaded playground has been one of the biggest challenges of outdoor play, especially in the summer. Don’t get me wrong—there are so many great playgrounds and parks around here—but when it comes to shade, most of them really fall short. This one absolutely gets it.
The play equipment is designed with every child in mind — inclusive swings, a wheelchair-accessible glider, a roller slide, and plenty more to explore. It just feels welcoming, safe, and easy for everyone to enjoy.
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