A spark of an idea - first imagined as a high school student project to create a small garden at a local hospital - set in motion what would eventually become Cancer Survivors Park. Through years of visioning and successive conceptual designs by Greenville-based architecture firm, Arbor Land Design, that initial spark evolved into the six-acre park that exists today. The Alliance envisioned a landscape that could support healing, education, physical activity, and reflection beyond the clinical setting, while the city of Greenville recognized an opportunity to strengthen the Reedy River corridor and extend the continuity of its award-winning park system. Arbor's goal was to unify these priorities into a cohesive landscape. This required solutions that respected the land, enhanced the urban greenway system, and delivered a welcoming and deeply meaningful landscape. With over 80 percent of the project funded through private donations raised by CSPA, the design also needed to honor the significant community investment that made the park possible.

Transforming a Complex Riverfront Site
Located along the Reedy River in downtown Greenville, the site sits at a critical junction between Falls Park and Cleveland Park and integrates directly with the Swamp Rabbit Trail, a county-wide greenway system. Despite its central location, the land had been underutilized for decades. Steep slopes, dense invasive vegetation, and remnants of past use as a construction-debris fill site created significant physical and
ecological challenges.

Half of the site is owned by Naturaland Trust - a local land trust - and protected by a conservation easement with established parameters for any improvements: all improvements must support public access, vegetation management must preserve the ecological character of the property, and all new plantings must be native species. The other half is owned by ReWa - the regional wastewater authority - and contains a major sewer trunk line serving downtown Greenville. Together, these conditions required a design that respected existing infrastructure and ecological protections while transforming the neglected site into a functional and inspiring public space.

Design Approach and Process
The team began by analyzing topography, utilities, environmental restrictions, and circulation patterns to understand how visitors could safely and comfortably experience the terrain. Working within the conservation easement's strict limitations, the design team established alignments that preserved mature trees and minimized disturbance while achieving full ADA accessibility.

 

A key design decision was the development of an elevated boardwalk system that allowed visitors to traverse the steepest portions of the site. This boardwalk threads through the existing canopy, providing unique views of the river and surrounding woodland while avoiding impacts to trees protected under the easement. Its placement resolved complex grade changes and ultimately became one of the signature experiences of the park.

The lead firm's engineering team conducted the flood study required for the new pedestrian bridge crossing, confirming that the structure would not increase water levels or negatively affect the river during major storm events. Coordination with ReWa was critical, as paths, structures, and utilities had to be designed around the sewer trunk line and allow for long-term access.

Material selection and detailing were guided by the desire for consistency with the adjacent Falls Park on the Reedy, a nationally recognized park the Landscape Architects also designed. The use of similar stonework, railings, pavements, and furnishings reinforces a cohesive aesthetic and creates a unified identity across Greenville's interconnected park system.

Design Elements That Define the Park
Cancer Survivors Park incorporates a range of spaces that support reflection, community gathering, education, and movement. The Center for Hope and Healing indoor facility hosts educational programs, support groups, wellness events, and community activities in partnership with local hospitals, healthcare organizations, and other cancer wellness networks. The building serves as the park's operational hub and strengthens its role as both a physical and emotional resource.

The Gathering Space is an open, welcoming lawn framed by benches while a cascading rock waterfall provides a central place for people to connect with others who have walked the cancer journey. Designed as the shared social heart of the park, it supports group events, informal rest, and quiet fellowship. Located beside the river in one of the most serene areas of the park, the healing garden provides small, private spaces for reflection and contemplation. A key feature is the small outdoor theater, which is carefully nestled into an old rock quarry uncovered during construction, allowing it to fit naturally into the bowl carved out of the exposed bedrock. The garden also includes a contemplative labyrinth and a plant palette composed entirely of native species, many of which have historical associations with medicinal uses in the Upstate South Carolina region. Created to honor children facing cancer and to celebrate their courage, the Children's Garden incorporates spaces for both play and reflection. Its hallmark is "Fear Not," a large bronze lion sculpture that evokes resilience and emotional strength, anchoring the garden as both a tribute and a space of hope.

Centrally located at the intersection of the park's primary pathways, Turning Point Plaza symbolizes the moment of choice as well as the personal strength found in deciding one's path forward. Anchored by a vine-covered arbor and surrounded by benches and seat walls honoring survivors and caregivers, the plaza offers a contemplative setting around one of the park's primary sculptures while serving as a meaningful waypoint within the park's narrative of healing and resilience.

Overcoming Site Challenges
The project's complexity stemmed largely from site conditions and regulatory constraints. The elevated boardwalk achieves ADA access while minimizing earthwork and preserving existing trees. Invasive vegetation was removed and replaced with native species to restore ecological health. Construction-debris fill required soil stabilization and careful placement of structures and paths. Conservation-easement restrictions limited tree removal, compelling precise alignment of trails and built elements. The mandate to use native plantings presented an opportunity to highlight underutilized species and introduce visitors to the region's rich plant diversity. The sewer trunk line necessitated design strategies that avoided excavation and maintained utility access. Heavy public use of the Swamp Rabbit Trail required careful phasing during construction and long-term improvements to flow and safety. Guided by thoughtful design and strong collaboration among all partners, the design met the project's technical, ecological, and programmatic goals.

A Lasting Community Asset
Cancer Survivors Park is now one of Greenville's most significant public spaces, offering a landscape that blends ecological restoration, community wellness, art, and quiet contemplation. The city of Greenville has incorporated the completed park into its municipal park system and is responsible for long-term maintenance.

The project stands as a model of successful public-private partnership between the city and the Cancer Survivors Park Alliance. While the city maintains the park's physical infrastructure, CSPA oversees programming, educational initiatives, community events, and continues to raise funds for ongoing enhancements and general upkeep. Arbor Land Design has remained involved since the park's completion, contributing to the design of subsequent improvements. This collaborative framework ensures that the park remains vibrant, relevant, and carefully maintained.

Thanks to thoughtful design, strong collaboration, and broad community support, Cancer Survivors Park now stands as a powerful example of how landscape architecture can restore land, strengthen public-space networks, and provide meaningful experiences for people at every stage of life, culminating in a landscape of hope and healing.

As seen in LASN magazine, March 2026.