More and more people are looking to recreate in the Reedy River. The good news is that recreation in the Reedy River is mainly only a problem 24-48 hours after a rain event. A good rule of thumb - if the river is brown with sediment, keep out!
The Good News
Conestee Nature Preserve currently offers more than 14 miles of trails, including both paved and natural surface pathways, along with boardwalks and bog-walks granting remarkable views of the Reedy River and the surrounding floodplain.
Though severely damaged in Hurricane Helene, Conestee's trails are now almost entirely recovered!
The Reedy is deemed safe for fishing, except in Conestee Nature Preserve.
Park space has increased in the Reedy watershed. Recent additions include Unity Park and the Swamp Rabbit Trail. Additionally, the City of Greenville’s comprehensive plan, GVL 2040, has established a goal to proactively preserve as much as 35% of the City’s remaining vacant land as open space or park land in order to bolster quality of life and protect environmental assets.
The Bad News
You still can't swim, fish or boat in Conestee Nature Preserve and will not be able to in the future. Conestee Nature Preserve is deemed a Brownfield Site.
E. coli levels rise and make the river unsafe for contact immediately after a rain. E. coli is discharged to the river from wild animals and pets, overland flow, malfunctioning septic tanks, leaky private sewer service laterals, and sanitary sewer overflows (SSOs).