More than 80% of the U.S. population lives in metropolitan areas, and there has been an increased focus, in recent years, on community parks and green spaces. In January 2008, a 2% hospitality tax for parks funding took effect in Spartanburg County. The County Council was lauded by a representative of Upstate Forever for its unanimous approval of the tax, commenting that, “Parks are necessary for the public good, not simply as an amenity.” Parks and green spaces are increasingly valued for enhancing community quality of life through mitigating the effects of pollution and “nature deficit disorder”, as well as providing opportunities for recreation, exercise, and social interaction.

A 2006 study of park acreage in Spartanburg County resulted in findings that there are only 2.44 acres of parkland per 1,000 residents of the County. This falls significantly short of the national average of 6.25 acres per resident. As of March 2008, there were 27 Spartanburg County parks and recreation facilities in use and four proposed facilities. These parks and facilities comprise approximately 870 acres of county land.

In 2006, Upstate Forever engaged the services of The Conservation Fund to identify protection opportunities for parks, greenways and greenbelts in Spartanburg County. The resulting “Rapid Parks Assessment” identified 4,000 acres of top prospects for protection and potential fulfillment of the County’s Master Plan goal of 1,500 acres of new parkland by 2009.

The Assessment also identified opportunities for existing park expansions, greenway trails and a potential greenbelt along the Palmetto Trail and Pacolet River.

Local subject matter experts indicate that acres of land set aside for greenways are increasing and that there is a regional greenways plan being crafted. There are three large preserves in Spartanburg County protected through Spartanburg Area Conservancy (SPACE): the 118-acre Edwin M. Griffin Nature Preserve (home to the Cottonwood Trail), the 36-acre Upper Chinquapin Greenway, and the 13-acre Glendale Shoals Preserve.