The Greenville County Historic and Natural Resources Trust (HNRT) has revealed its plan to invest $500,000 in acquiring an additional 65 acres for Paris Mountain State Park. This substantial addition aims to enhance the park’s attractions and access for visitors.
During a meeting of the Greenville County Council Finance Committee on November 18, HNRT board officials Pam Shucker and Dennis DeFrancesco presented this update. DeFrancesco explained that the county’s investment will be complemented by $2.4 million from state and federal funding sources.
A vote by the full HNRT board is scheduled for December 16 to decide on the purchase. The funds are already allocated as part of the trust’s annual budget from the county, which will increase the size of Paris Mountain State Park to nearly 1,900 acres.
The proposed land comprises two parcels: a 56.4-acre plot and a 9-acre plot, both located on the northeast side of the park. The larger parcel features a residence and a two-acre lake and has access to State Park Road. Ownership of the land is expected to be transferred to the South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism in 2025.
DeFrancesco pointed out that the park has seen a significant surge in visitors, with numbers quadrupling over the last five years. This new acquisition will not only expand the trail system but also provide an additional entry point with parking facilities.
If approved, this acquisition will mark the second major expansion of Paris Mountain State Park in a short span. In 2022, the trust acquired Shiloh Ridge on the park’s western side, which added nearly 150 acres. Additionally, a conservation easement held by Upstate Forever, along with a contribution of 120 acres from Naturaland Trust, safeguarded that area from development, cumulatively expanding the park by almost 270 acres.
The HNRT board consists of 12 representatives from different county districts and was established in 2021, with annual funding provided through the county budget. Its mission is to preserve “the special places that give our community its character.”
Shucker shared that since its inception, HNRT has successfully protected 2,100 acres through 18 projects, demonstrating that for every dollar they spend, more than five dollars in state and federal funding is secured.
