Oak Grove Lake lures in people seeking solitude and rejuvenation
- Charles Reams 1
- Sep 7
- 3 min read
Rivers, streams, and lakes have long promoted physical and mental health. Experts marvel at the therapeutic effects of the calm, placid, and scenic conditions surrounding lakes.
Smack in the middle of Greenville’s Eastside is a developed and well-maintained Oak Grove Lake near Roper Mountain Extension and Garlington Rd.
We toured this site and enjoyed a one-mile walk on this cool Sunday morning. Data was gathered from personal observation, the county, personal websites, and social media.
A paved trail encircles the lake. All manner of runners, walkers, and cyclists use the trail. Benches and tables are well placed to encourage sightseers and fishermen to sit and take in the view, relishing the ambience.
There is a solitary islet standing prominently on one end of the lake. And a cape invites fisherman to gather and throw out their lines into the still waters.
The lake is maintained by the Greenville County Parks, Recreation, and Tourism department.
This agency is responsible for overseeing the park's operations, managing the lake, and handling any maintenance issues.
Park rules
The park is open from sunrise to sunset.
No alcoholic beverages are allowed.
Dogs must be kept on a 6-foot leash.
Fishing regulations
Fishing is permitted only on Wednesday and Saturday with a valid SC fishing license for persons 16 and older.
There is a 5-fish limit (largemouth must be a minimum of 12 inches).
One man jogs 10 laps around the lake. Walkers of all ages grind out laps at their own pace, some slow, others power walk their way to a stronger heart and a slimmer waistline.
The refreshing fall breeze promotes zesty exercise and sometimes friendly conversation. There are ample parking spaces. Convertible sports cars, sedans, vans, and trucks dot the landscape.
Bikers ride every imaginable cycle to the course and snap out their laps in a manner to make coaches smile. Left, right, quicken the pace, stand, sit, pedal harder. Go, go, go.
The houses that line the lake are not in a typical cookie-cutter fashion like some subdivisions. Here, the houses are unique. One smacks of a rare architectural design. It is large, fashionable, with a manicured lawn.
Another house is small and cozy. No two are the same.
Whatever the case, the runners, walkers, and cyclists are welcoming and friendly.
Try kayaking and paddleboarding in this safe and guided location.
How is the water level and purity of the lake maintained?
Maintenance strategies include managing trash runoff and monitoring water quality.
As reported by visitors, the lake was temporarily drained in 2020, likely for maintenance and environmental assessment.
A “watergoat” was installed to collect garbage from the lake and its source creek, reducing pollution. Periodical ecological studies confirm that the water and fishery are safe and healthy.
A Watergoat, in lieu of a filtration system, is a type of floating barrier or net, usually made with buoys and nets, designed to collect litter and debris from waterways like streams, canals, and storm drains before it reaches larger bodies of water. These systems are an environmental tool to prevent pollution, protect wildlife, and conserve natural resources by capturing trash such as plastic bottles, styrofoam, and other debris.
The lake is maintained through a combination of efforts by Greenville County staff and various volunteer groups, rather than a single, consistent group of volunteers. The total number of volunteers changes depending on the specific projects and cleanup events.
Here is a summary of the volunteer efforts at Oak Grove Lake:
Greenville County Staff: The Greenville County Parks, Recreation, and Tourism department maintains the lake each week.
County-Led Cleanup Events: The county's Litter Ends Here program organizes group cleanups at the lake throughout the year, and volunteers assist with tasks like removing litter and debris.
Community Groups: The Facebook group "Oak Grove Lake, Greenville- Keep it Clean and Have Fun" promotes and organizes community cleanup days and shares information about volunteer efforts.
WaterGoat Project: A specific volunteer effort involved the installation and maintenance of a "WaterGoat" trash trap to catch debris before it enters the lake.
Enjoy an exhilarating and refreshing outing soon at our very own Oak Grove Lake.
