Greenville Cypress Preserve

While in Greenville, MS, I made sure to go to the Cypress Preserve, a 16 acre area just off the highway just south of the riverboat-shaped welcome center. It was established in 1940 and maintained by the Greenville Garden Club, the oldest garden club in the state. In 2002 management was turned over to the Greenville Cypress Preserve Trust. They are doing a good job if I'm any judge. (Well, I'm not really any judge, but the place looked great to me.)

There is a brochure and a trail guide reproduced online here, which includes a map and information to aid in appreciating the landscape.

There are 3 trails: 1) a 1/4 mile meadow trail; 2) a 1/3 mile woodland trail; and 3) a 1/2 mile cypress trail. There are helpful interpretive signs all along the paths.

Here are some of the photos I took of the cypresses:

Here's a closer look at the cypress tree leaves:

And some new plants that have sprouted in the fallen cypress logs:

They've placed a home for wood ducks:

Do you see the cypress knees?

The cypress trees were my favorite part of the preserve, but the woodland and meadow trails also had a lot to offer:

ScenicUSA says it's "Popular among photographers, birders, and joggers". Trip Advisor gives it 4 out of 5 stars with 5 reviews. This family travel site has great photos, calls it "One of the most unique urban parks we’ve ever visited" and says it was "worth the detour". There's a slideshow embedded below, but do yourself a favor and mute the music:

I would gladly go back here given the opportunity. What a gem!