Pinwheel Gardens Sprouting Up in Greer-Taylors Area

A new kind of garden is springing to life in the communities of Greer and Taylors.

You may see Blue Pinwheels sprouting in front of city buildings, parks, churches and libraries. It's a project from Greenville First Steps and a part of the national Pinwheels for Prevention campaign, which is designed to educate and provide awareness for the prevention of child abuse and neglect.

"For many of us, the pinwheel evokes strong positive memories of childhood," said Greer Parks and Recreation Director Ann Cunningham in a release. "As a symbol for child abuse and neglect preventions, it serves as an uplifting reminder of childhood and the bright futures that all children deserve."

Here are five protective factors that First Steps said, when present, significantly decrease the likelihood of abuse and neglect.

1. Parental Resilience: the ability to cope and bounce back from difficult circumstances.
2. Social Connections: people in the community (friends, family, neighbors, teachers, etc.) who can provide emotional support.
3. Knowledge of Parenting and Child Development: accurate information about how children develop and what to expect, along with appropriate discipline techniques.
4. Support: financial security, formal support from professional organizations, and informal support from social networks.
5. Children’s Social and Emotional Competence: a child’s ability to get along with others and communicate his or her emotions effectively.

Pinwheels can be seen at the Taylors Fire Department, the Taylors Branch of the Greenville County Library System, Greer City Park, Century Park, and the Needmore Recreation Center to name a few.