https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/south-carolina/lake-conestee-nature-park-loop - Selected as an Important Bird Area of Global Significance by the National Audubon Society. Please update your bookmarks and links! At least 214 bird species have been reported, and the National Audubon Society has designated the park as an Important Bird Area of Global Significance. Its a great place to bring the family for a day outing. Lake Conestee Nature Park Loop is a 2.2 mile heavily trafficked loop trail located near Greenville, South Carolina that features a river and is good for all skill levels. Dogs are allowed as long as they are on a leash and you pick up their poop! [2], Lake Conestee was created when the Reedy River was dammed at the Conestee Mill in about 1892. Businesses across Greenville, SC are taking the Greater Greenville Pledge—our commitment to health and safety in reopening responsibly. Lake Conestee Nature Park is a hidden gem right in the heart of Greenville County. Just looking to take a quick stroll? Lake Conestee Nature Preserve director Dave Hargett says the site will have a new dam by 2022. . During your hike, or ride, you may encounter a variety of animals, including whitetail deer, beaver, muskrat, raccoon, river otter, and read and grey fox. Michael Corley sees Lake Conestee Nature Preserve as an oasis. Lake Conestee was established in the early 1800s through damming of the Reedy River. Lots of beech, maple, and hickory trees throughout the forest that keep this walker’s paradise cool. - Contains both hardwood and evergreen forest, extensive wetlands, and 3 miles of the Reedy River. ACTIVITIES ALLOWED Hiking, birding, enjoying nature, and learning from 1 of the 40 interpretive signs found throughout the park. The area around Lake Conestee Nature Park is going through the early stages of redevelopment (and gentrification) as new community ballparks, commercial interests, and natural areas are established. The Lake Conestee Nature Park, managed by the Conestee Foundation, is a 400 acre property comprised of the former lakebed and contains wetlands, sloughs, bottomland forests, and 3 miles of the Reedy River. - A birding hotspot in the upstate with over 220 different bird species recorded. A large playground and activity lawn are adjacent to the event pavilion and the entrance to Lake Conestee Nature Preserve is just 100 yards away. Lake Conestee Nature Park. The foundation has created Lake Conestee Nature Park by purchasing 4 parcels of land surrounding the lake with additional purchases planned for the future. Now the mill, the hand-hewn stone dam along the Reedy River and 140 acres of Lake Conestee Nature Park all have been added to the National Register. ABOUT - Located 6 miles south of downtown Greenville. Once a polluted, toxic wasteland, Lake Conestee Nature Park is one of the most impressive nature reclamation projects you will ever see. Lake Conestee Nature Park is a singletrack mountain bike trail in Greenville, South Carolina. Earlier this month, Lake Conestee Nature Park was named 1st Runner Up for the national Phoenix Award. [1] In 2016 the state of South Carolina made the privately owned facility a wildlife sanctuary. Lake Conestee Nature Park hotel reviews, photos and virtual tours. Hunting is prohibited. Lake Conestee Nature Park 601 Fork Shoals Rd Greenville SC 29605. ABOUT - Located 6 miles south of downtown Greenville. A visitor to the Lake Conestee Nature Preserve bikes across the nonprofit park's Reedy River Bridge on Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2020. This shelter is located just behind Conestee's baseball fields, which can be booked for additional fees. Adjacent to Mauldin is Lake Conestee. In 2000, the Conestee Foundation was formed to preserve what remains of the lake. The biking and walking paths wind their way around the lake, which is really more of a swamp, and it’s all fed by Greenville’s Reedy River, which is a glorified creek. Lake Conestee Nature Preserve is hugely popular in the Upstate, partly because it is such a beautiful wetland and place to see lots of wildlife but also because families love the easy-to-traverse trails and open spaces. Meet the new head of the Lake Conestee Nature Preserve December 2nd, 2020. - 14 miles of trail to explore. There are beautiful walking trails and waypoints your family can explore to learn more about the history of the area and the animals that call the park home. Lake Conestee Nature Preserve, formerly Lake Conestee Nature Park, opened in 2006, is a 400-acre (160 ha) preserve along three miles of the Reedy River in ... More info Conestee, South Carolina And, lots of places to see water too. Lake Conestee Nature Park currently offers approximately six miles of natural surface trails, six miles of paved trails and approximately 4,000 linear feet of boardwalks and bog-walks. It is also home to lots of outdoor events throughout the year. AllTrails has 5 great hiking trails, walking trails, kid friendly trails and more, with hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers, and nature lovers like you. 4.6 #114 of 190 in Wildlife in South Carolina. Length 2.2 mi Elevation gain 177 ft Route type Loop. Michael Corley sees Lake Conestee Nature Preserve as an oasis. Lake Conestee Nature Park is one of the area’s finest landmarks, offering historical and natural beauty. The Lake Conestee Nature Park was formed on land around Lake Conestee. Lake Conestee Nature Park is a singletrack mountain bike trail in Greenville, South Carolina. My good friend Dana Leavitt and I started talking and thinking about Lake Conestee back in 1995, and after five years of lining up countless ducks, we created the Conestee Foundation and acquired historic Lake Conestee. The event pavilion at Conestee Park is Greenville Rec’s premier event facility with seating capacity for 200, restrooms, electrical power, 2 grills, and ample parking. Conestee Park (also operated by the Greenville County Recreation District) is a great place to visit in its own right and has 2 of its own trails, a playground, a dog park, ball fields, picnic areas (including a beautiful shelter), and a community garden. Conestee's Event Pavilion also has convenient access to the main entrance of Lake Conestee Nature Park, which is home to over 400 acres of nature trails, unique wetlands, and birdwatching stands. Come and "discover a world apart" at Lake Conestee Nature Preserve! - Designated a wildlife sanctuary in 2016. This shelter is located just behind Conestee's baseball fields, which can be booked for additional fees. The park … Get directions, reviews and information for Lake Conestee Nature Park in Greenville, SC. The Lake Conestee Nature Park, managed by the Conestee Foundation, is a property comprised of the former lakebed and contains wetlands, sloughs, bottomland forests, and 1.5 miles of the Reedy River, and provides a natural wonderland of wildlife habitat. That said, this is my final post to the Lake Conestee Nature Park / Conestee Foundation social media. The males choose the nest site, then display there to attract a mate. [3], In December 2016, inspectors from the state Department of Health and Environmental Control rated Conestee Dam, which is not keyed into the bedrock, in poor condition due to deterioration of mortar and water seepage. Located in the heavily developed Interstate 85 corridor, the 400-acre wetlands and birding paradise serves as an outlet to the outdoors with over a dozen miles of trails and other natural treasures. We strongly encourage a $3 donation per person which can be deposited in boxes at two of the trail heads. Lake Conestee Nature Park consists of over 400 acres of beautiful natural habitat on the Reedy River just 6 miles south of downtown Greenville, South Carolina. This wildlife sanctuary contains hardwood and mixed forests, extensive wetlands, 3 miles of the Reedy River, and a rich diversity of wildlife habitat. It is now approximately 90% silted in. On Jan. 1, 2021, … A visitor to the Lake Conestee Nature Preserve bikes across the nonprofit park's Reedy River Bridge on Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2020. When you feel the need to get out of the house and reconnect with Mother Nature, there are a number of places to turn in South Carolina where a short and easy hike is sure to do the trick (see nine of those short hikes here). Meet the new head of the Lake Conestee Nature Preserve December 2nd, 2020. It is now approximately 90% silted in. Due to the ever-changing situation in regard to COVID-19, please note that information below is subject to change. The name change was done to better reflect the park’s environmental education and conservation mission. - 14 miles of trail to explore. Looking for a great trail in Lake Conestee Nature Park, South Carolina? Updated July 21, 2020. Restaurants near Lake Conestee Nature Park, Conestee on Tripadvisor: Find traveler reviews and candid photos of dining near Lake Conestee Nature Park in Conestee, South Carolina. Lake Conestee Nature Park consists of approximately 400 acres of beautiful natural habitat on the Reedy River just 6 miles south of downtown Greenville. Thank you! Lots of beech, maple, and hickory trees throughout the forest that keep this walker’s paradise cool. LOCATION There are multiple parking areas that allow entry to the park. Please check with individual businesses/venues for the most up-to-date information. The preserve contains both hardwood and evergreen forest, extensive wetlands, and a rich diversity of reptiles, mammals, and birds. FEES There is no fee to visit the preserve. Thanks to photos and virtual tours, you can look before you book your Lake Conestee Nature Park hotel reservation. - 14 miles of trail to explore. By Anna Lee. The last two major rains causing flooding in Greenville destroyed one of our most important bridges, River Otter Way footbridge. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, nature trips, and bird watching. ACTIVITIES NOT ALLOWED NO fishing, swimming, wading, or boating in the water. At Lake Conestee Nature Preserve, they nest in trees at the center and edges of West Bay, and can be easily observed from West Bay Observation Deck and surrounding vantage points. At its largest extent, the lake covered about 130 acres (53 ha), but years of upstream industrial waste and discharge filled about 90 percent of the lake with sediment so toxic that the lake was classified as a Superfund site. Most people enter at 840 Mauldin Rd., Greenville, SC. To complicate matters slightly, Lake Conestee Nature Preserve was known as Lake Conestee Nature Park until early 2020. Come and witness the resiliency of nature. Click the drop down below for View maps, videos, photos, and reviews of Lake Conestee Nature Park bike trail in Greenville. Once safety studies of the brownfield were complete, it was determined that no harm would result if the toxic sediment were left in place. The gap from Lake Conestee Nature Park to where the trail picks back up again at Greenville Technical College is only two miles. The current dam remains in "poor condition." There are numerous trails, interconnected, that are teeming with nature. The lake was considered toxic and classified as a Superfund site, which is any land in the United Stations contaminated by hazardous waste and identified by the Environmental Protection Agency as a candidate for cleanup because it poses potential health risks. People often confuse the two, Walter said. The female does most of the nest building, with the male providing most of the building materials. Lake Conestee Nature Preserve now resides at ConesteePreserve.org. The 145-acre park has walking and biking trails, a playground and dog park. Lake Conestee Nature Park. This wildlife sanctuary contains hardwood and mixed forests, extensive wetlands, 3 miles of the Reedy River, and a rich diversity of wildlife habitat. Having a beautiful day to hike in Lake Conestee Nature Park is a bonus, but you can have an awesome experience here at any time! The lake was considered toxic and classified as a Superfund site, which is any land in the United Stations contaminated by hazardous waste and identified by the Environmental Protection Agency as a candidate for cleanup because it poses potential health risks. View maps, videos, photos, and reviews of Lake Conestee Nature Park bike trail in Greenville. GREENVILLE CO., SC (WSPA) – The South Carolina National Guard used a helicopter to help install a new bridge at Lake Conestee Nature Preserve, Tuesday morning. Lake Conestee Nature Preserve, formerly Lake Conestee Nature Park, opened in 2006, is a 400-acre (160 ha) preserve along three miles of the Reedy River in ... More info Conestee, South Carolina Lake Conestee Nature Park consists of over 400 acres of beautiful natural habitat on the Reedy River just 6 miles south of downtown Greenville, South Carolina. This wildlife sanctuary contains hardwood and mixed forests, extensive wetlands, 3 miles of the Reedy River, and a rich diversity of wildlife habitat. Check out Lake Conestee Nature Park hotel properties using interactive tools which allow you view hotel rooms, common areas and key features. Located in the heavily developed Interstate 85 corridor, the 400-acre wetlands and birding paradise serves as an outlet to the outdoors with over a dozen miles of trails and other natural treasures. It is now approximately 90% silted in. Lake Conestee Nature Park, Conestee. Michael Corley sees Lake Conestee Nature Preserve as an oasis.. Lake Conestee Nature Park consists of over 400 acres of beautiful natural habitat on the Reedy River just 6 miles south of downtown Greenville, South Carolina. The preserve contains both hardwood and evergreen forest, extensive wetlands, and a rich diversity of reptiles, mammals, and birds. Lake Conestee Nature Park (owned by a small not-for-profit) covers 400 acres and is a wildlife sanctuary in the center of Greenville County, SC. In 2000 the Conestee Foundation, a 501(c)(3) conservation organization, was formed to lead the revitalization of the lake as a wetlands through the development of the nature preserve, and the foundation used settlement funds from a June 1996 Colonial Pipeline spill to purchase the lake and the dam. Come and witness the resiliency of nature. Tip: Conestee Park has three separate restroom facilities that will probably be your closest restroom while on the trail. Today, Lake Conestee Nature Park boasts 402 acres of open space, 12 miles of trails and boardwalks, and 207 species of birds. Bikes are allowed on most trails. https://www.alltrails.com/parks/us/south-carolina/lake-conestee-nature-park Please visit our website for more details. Conestee Park (also operated by the Greenville County Recreation District) is a great place to visit in its own right and has 2 of its own trails, a playground, a dog park, ball fields, picnic areas (including a beautiful shelter), and a community garden. The Lake Conestee Nature Park, managed by the Conestee Foundation, is a 400 acre property comprised of the former lakebed and contains wetlands, sloughs, bottomland forests, and 3 miles of the Reedy River. Facebook 0 Tweet 0 Pin 0 LinkedIn 0 Email 0. In 2020, the Lake Conestee area looks different than it did 20 years ago. Lake Conestee Nature Park consists of 400 acres of beautiful natural habitat just 6 miles from downtown Greenville, SC. And, lots of places to see water too. The park contains both hardwood and evergreen forest, extensive wetlands, 3 miles of the Reedy River, and a rich diversity of wildlife habitat. During your hike, or ride, you may encounter a variety of animals, including whitetail deer, beaver, muskrat, raccoon, river otter, and read and grey fox. There are 6 miles of natural trails, 6 miles of paved trails and 4,000 feet of boardwalks. Facebook 0 Tweet 0 Pin 0 LinkedIn 0 Email 0. Come and "discover a world apart" at Lake Conestee Nature Preserve! There are numerous trails, interconnected, that are teeming with nature. Lake Conestee Nature Park consists of 400 acres of beautiful natural habitat just 6 miles from downtown Greenville, SC. Conestee's Event Pavilion also has convenient access to the main entrance of Lake Conestee Nature Park, which is home to over 400 acres of nature trails, unique wetlands, and birdwatching stands. Lake Conestee Nature Park and Conestee Park are easily confused! Located in the heavily developed Interstate 85 corridor, the 400-acre wetlands and birding paradise serves as an outlet to the outdoors with over a dozen miles of trails and other natural treasures. HOURS The park is open sunrise to sunset 7 days a week. Although long-term plans hope to connect the two sections, funds are currently being diverted to the addition of a connector that will link the SRT in Cleveland Park to ICAR down Laurens Road. Earlier this month, Lake Conestee Nature Park was named 1st Runner Up for the national Phoenix Award. Located in the heavily developed Interstate 85 corridor, the 400-acre wetlands and birding paradise serves as an outlet to the outdoors with over a dozen miles of trails and other natural treasures. The park’s fine trail system comprises one of the best trail systems in the Greenville County park district. LCNP is a 400 acre nature preserve that rests on a watershed derived brownfield site due to 100 plus years of polluted runoff settling in the lake bed. 26 Reviews (864) 277-2004. At least 214 bird species have been reported, and the National Audubon Societyhas designated th… The Lake Conestee Nature Park was formed on land around Lake Conestee. Lake Conestee Nature Park has been awarded a 2017 Phoenix Award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for excellence in brownfield redevelopment. Michael Corley sees Lake Conestee Nature Preserve as an oasis.. Lake Conestee Nature Preserve, formerly Lake Conestee Nature Park, opened in 2006, is a 400-acre (160 ha) preserve along three miles of the Reedy River in Conestee, South Carolina, with 13 miles (20.9 km) of trails, more than 6 miles (9.7 km) of them paved and 1 mile (1.6 km) of boardwalk. Be In Awe Of The Natural Beauty Found On This Short, Secluded Hike In South Carolina’s Lake Conastee Nature Park. 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