The first of two new parking lots in Cleveland Park is now open, and weather permitting, the second lot is scheduled to be paved this week.
The two new lots were built to offset the pending loss of parking spaces when ReWa begins construction of a sewer tunnel that will originate in Cleveland Park. During the course of construction, the lower parking lot at the Greenville Zoo will be used for a construction staging area.
According to zoo director Jeff Bullock, the two new lots, which contain a total of 135 spaces (85 in the creek side lot and 50 in the Annex lot), will provide the zoo with much-needed additional parking during one of its busiest times of the year, as spring break approaches and schools begin to ramp up their field trips. “The additional spaces will ease parking issues on weekdays when we may have as many as 20 school buses and countless parents joining their kids for field trips,” said Bullock. “Additionally, with warmer weather coming, the added spaces will make a huge difference for our guests by alleviating the stress associated with finding a parking space.”
On Wednesday or Thursday of this week, while the second lot is being paved, Cleveland Park Drive will be closed from the Washington Street intersection to the entrance of the first zoo parking lot. Detour signage at the intersection of Washington Street and Cleveirvine Avenue will direct zoo traffic, including cars and buses, to use Lakehurst Street to access lower zoo parking lot entrance. The gate to the promenade outside the zoo entrance will also be open for two-way traffic, allowing guests to park near the zoo entrance.
For the most up-to-date information, follow the Greenville Zoo on Facebook.