City of Greenwood Parks and Recreation

08/16/2026

Back to school means back to routines...

School. Homework. Practices. Dinner. Bedtime. Repeat.

As everyone settles into a new school year, don't forget to leave a little room for outside time, too.

It doesn't have to be an entire afternoon at the park. Take a walk after dinner. Stop by the playground for 30 minutes after school. Throw a ball, ride bikes, hit the pickleball courts, or take the long way home and explore a trail.

Kids need a little outside time to run off the school day... and, if we're being honest, sometimes the grown-ups need it too.

Here's to a great school year, Greenwood! And when you need a little break from the new routine, our parks are here.

08/14/2026

SPLASH PAD UPDATE

The Bell Park Splash Pad is temporarily closed while we work on our chemical controller.

Our team is working on it now and will have the water flowing again as soon as everything is at the proper levels!

Thanks for your patience, Greenwood!

08/14/2026

FUN FEATURE FRIDAY: Inclusive Playground Edition

Welcome back to our Inclusive Playground Feature Series! Each week we're introducing another exciting feature that helps make Greenwood's newest playground a place where every child can play together. This week's feature is...

Roller Slide

This isn't your average slide.

Unlike traditional metal slides, the Roller Slide uses rotating rollers that create a unique sensory experience while reducing static electricity. That's especially important for children who wear hearing aids or cochlear implants.

It also provides additional sensory feedback that many children find both fun and calming.

Why it matters
• Sensory-friendly sliding experience
• Safe for hearing aids and cochlear implants
• Encourages confidence through movement

08/13/2026

Check out our update on the inclusive park construction!
Pumped is an understatement!

08/12/2026

Looking for the perfect place to watch the night sky?

The next few nights could put on quite a show.

With the Perseid meteor shower nearing its peak and a rare planetary alignment visible before dawn, this is one of the best weeks of the year to step outside and look up. Under dark skies, the Perseids can produce dozens of "shooting stars" each hour, and this year's new moon means ideal viewing conditions. The planetary lineup will be visible low in the sky before sunrise for early risers.

If you're looking for a place to escape some of the city lights, Bell Park offers wide-open skies and beautiful views overlooking Greenwood. Bring a lawn chair or blanket, give your eyes 20–30 minutes to adjust to the darkness, and enjoy one of nature's best free shows.

Best meteor viewing: Late evening through the early morning hours, with peak activity overnight August 12–13.

If you head out, we'd love to see what you capture! Share your favorite night sky photos in the comments.

Want to know what to look for? FOX Weather has a great guide to everything happening in the August night sky, including the Perseids and the planetary parade. Check it out before you head to Bell Park!

Not only does the month of August feature the peak of the annual Perseid meteor shower, but skies will also dazzle with planetary alignments and conjunctions, along with eclipses.

08/12/2026

Why Parks Matter: Your Brain Needs Outside Time Too

Ever notice how a walk outside can change the course of a bad day?

Maybe your mind feels a little clearer. Maybe your stress eases just enough to breathe again. Maybe the problem you couldn't solve at your desk suddenly doesn't seem so overwhelming.

That's not just a feeling, it's science.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says physical activity can improve memory, thinking, learning, and emotional balance while helping reduce feelings of anxiety and depression. Even a single session of moderate physical activity, like a walk through your neighborhood park, can provide immediate benefits for brain health.
https://www.cdc.gov/physical-activity/features/boost-brain-health.html

That's one reason parks matter.

They give us places to step away from our screens, move our bodies, spend time in nature, and reset our minds. Whether you're walking the trails, pushing a stroller, playing with your kids, or simply sitting on a bench for a few quiet minutes, you're doing more than enjoying the outdoors, you're investing in your mental well-being.

Sometimes the best thing you can do for your brain is simply step outside.

Physical activity offers many health benefits, including improved brain health.

08/09/2026

Scenic Sunday: A Quiet Escape at Liberty Park

Some places don't ask for your attention, they simply offer it.

Tucked away on the east side of Greenwood, Liberty Park is one of those peaceful places where life seems to slow down just a little. Twin lakes reflect the changing sky, mature trees provide welcome shade, and the gentle ripple of the water creates the perfect backdrop for a quiet afternoon.

Whether you're casting a line, watching the turtles sunbathe, listening to the birds, or simply enjoying a moment of stillness beneath the trees, Liberty Park is a reminder that some of the most beautiful places are the ones that let nature do the talking.

As Liberty Park continues to grow with future improvements, including a walking trail, it will become an even greater place to connect with the outdoors while preserving the peaceful character that makes it so special.

Have you spent a quiet morning fishing, spotted wildlife, or captured a beautiful sunrise or sunset at Liberty Park? We'd love to see your photos, share them in the comments and help us celebrate another scenic corner of Greenwood!

08/07/2026

FUN FEATURE FRIDAY: Inclusive Playground Edition

There's more to an inclusive playground than meets the eye! We're continuing our series by highlighting another feature that's helping create a place where every child belongs.

This week's feature...

Communication Board

Sometimes communication looks different, and that's okay.

Our Communication Board will help children who are nonverbal, learning language, or communicate differently interact with friends and caregivers on the playground. Using pictures, common words, and American Sign Language, it helps everyone understand one another a little better.

Inclusive play starts with making sure every child has a voice.

Why it matters
• Encourages communication between children
• Introduces basic American Sign Language
• Helps children of all abilities play together more easily

08/05/2026

Why Parks Matter: Sometimes You Just Need Somewhere to Go

Life gets noisy.

Some days your mind feels full. The to-do list keeps growing. The phone won't stop buzzing. Maybe you need to think through a decision, process a hard conversation, or simply catch your breath.

Sometimes... you just need somewhere to go.

That's one of the quiet gifts parks give us.

They don't ask you to buy anything. You don't need a reservation or an agenda. You can simply show up. Take a walk. Sit on a bench. Listen to the birds. Watch the water. Let your kids play while you enjoy a few moments of stillness.

Research continues to show that spending time outdoors and being physically active can help reduce stress, improve mood, support mental well-being, and even strengthen the connections we have with our communities.

That's why parks matter.

They aren't just places for playgrounds and picnics. They're places to think. To pray. To heal. To reconnect with the people you love, or simply reconnect with yourself.

The next time life feels a little overwhelming, maybe the answer isn't to do more.

Maybe it's just to step outside.

This week's post was inspired by the CDC's resources on parks, green spaces, and the important role they play in supporting physical activity, mental well-being, and healthy communities.

Read more here:

Provide and promote safe, equitable access to parks, trails, recreation areas, and green spaces.

08/03/2026

Fall is just around the corner... and so is one of Greenwood's favorite traditions!

Join us for Greenwood Fall Fest on Saturday, October 24, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the top of Bell Park for a day full of family fun and fall festivities.

Shop local arts and crafts vendors
Enjoy delicious food trucks
Live entertainment throughout the day
Inflatables and family activities
Hay rides
Carnival games
Face painting
Tree Giveaway & Root Ball Exchange..and so much more!

We're now accepting vendor applications!

If you're an artist, crafter, boutique, nonprofit, food vendor, or small business looking to connect with thousands of community members, we'd love to have you join us.

📝 Apply here:
http://bellparkcamp.com/

Stay tuned over the next few months as we begin announcing vendors, activities, entertainment, and exciting new additions to this year's Fall Fest!

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