Legacy Park: A Good Place to Play

If anyone in your family is under the age of twelve, you know that trips to the local playground are mandatory entertainment on summer nights or on weekends unless it's too rainy, cold, or otherwise unsuitable to slide, swing, and start an impromptu soccer game. The problem is that while kids love an outing to the playground, they do get tired of the same old equipment.

My daughters were no different. Announcements of trips to the park were always met with a mix of enthusiasm and trepidation. "Are we going to the park?" "Is it the same one we always go to?" The answer to the latter question was usually "yes," and why not? Living within walking distance of Cleveland Park was a boon in my (not so humble) opinion. "Of course, and we can walk there!" I'd say brightly. More often than not as they grew older, they'd groan and reluctantly drag themselves down the path towards the zoo, soon distracted by the promise of swinging high while listening to the monkeys warble.

We did venture further afield if we had ample time (and mom and dad were willing to hoof it to points north of the city). We sampled, among others, Herdklotz Park, the park by the Pavilion, and that favorite of child connoisseurs – Kids Planet in Greer. The girls would always weigh the merits of curly slides; the relative slipperiness of the surface inside the slide tube (i.e., how fast you could go if you were turned backwards); swing seat width and comfort; etc. But eventually we ran out of spots to try. Until we discovered Legacy Park.

If you haven't heard of it, Legacy Park sprawls across 20 rather picturesque acres on the Verdae property. You likely don't know it's there, because the development and the park are relative newcomers to the Laurens/Woodruff/Verdae-bounded neighborhood, and it's easy to miss when flying down Verdae Boulevard at 45 miles per hour.

The property was originally owned by the late textile baron John D. Hollingsworth as part of the largest private landholding in the state. In a nod to his stewardship, the adjacent housing development now bears his name.

Legacy Park is actually tucked behind the Hollingsworth subdivision, a development that prides itself on its traditional architecture styles as well as its walkability. Indeed, residents are only steps away from the sculpted-stone raised beds spilling masses of native flowers.

Of course, if you have children along, they'll surely power past the thickets of cheery rudbeckia and bright purple verbena and push on to the play area, which sports a climbing structure, a generous swing set, and a slide that's at once tall, twirly, and tubular. Restrooms are conveniently (and thoughtfully) located within a few skips of the equipment, and the drinking fountains are clean (and the water is cold!).

Perhaps the best part of Legacy Park (my daughters both agree) is the extensive grounds. The grass is golf-course green, neatly manicured, and thick yet soft under bare feet. The landscape heaves and rolls gently, coaxing the most reluctant (i.e., me) to break into a gallop. One hill just above the smooth manmade lake is just steep and wide enough to encourage rolling – just be sure you're wearing clothes that you don't mind getting grass-stained.

Miles of paved paths invite long strolls, runs, or bike rides. One early evening, we spied a gentleman skimming by on a hybrid surf/skateboard. Frisbee players have lots of room for ultimate, and local soccer teams organize games on the level side of the fields.

The park is open every day to the public until dusk. Bring the kids, or go alone. Have a stroll on the path or a roll in the grass. Swing on the όber-comfortable bench swings that dot the property. You may not be able to quell the urge to shout. To quote Max in Where the Wild Things Are, "Let the wild rumpus begin!"