Community Rallies to Rebuild Beloved Park Amphitheater After Hurricane Helene

Volunteers aim to restore Paris Mountain State Park's stage in time for 'Music in the Woods' concert series return.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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Volunteers with the non-profit Friends of Paris Mountain are hosting a fundraiser to rebuild the amphitheater stage at Paris Mountain State Park in Greenville, South Carolina, which was left in shambles after Hurricane Helene. The stage was a popular venue for the park's 'Music in The Woods' concert series, drawing over 200 visitors weekly before the storm. Organizers hope to have the new stage built by September to revive the beloved community event.

Why it matters

The amphitheater stage was a cherished community gathering space at Paris Mountain State Park, hosting concerts, celebrations, and other events. Its destruction by Hurricane Helene was a major loss for the local community, which is now rallying to restore this important public amenity.

The details

The amphitheater stage was originally built in 2006 and was the site of the park's popular 'Music in The Woods' series. During Hurricane Helene, the stage was unearthed and a tree fell on it, leaving it in ruins. Volunteers and park officials are now working to rebuild the stage, with plans to add a storage room and potentially purchase basic equipment for the musicians. The new stage will feature a backdrop of cedar planks that community members can sponsor with personalized messages.

  • The amphitheater stage was built in 2006.
  • The stage was damaged during Hurricane Helene in 2024.
  • The Friends of Paris Mountain aim to have the new stage rebuilt by the first weekend in September 2026.

The players

Friends of Paris Mountain

A non-profit organization that is leading the fundraising effort to rebuild the amphitheater stage at Paris Mountain State Park.

Emily Nicholson

The Paris Mountain State Park Manager, who is working with the Friends of Paris Mountain to restore the amphitheater stage.

Allison Walker

A volunteer with the Friends of Paris Mountain and the organizer of the fundraiser to rebuild the amphitheater stage.

Sam Morris

A volunteer and fundraiser organizer with the Friends of Paris Mountain, who is looking forward to the return of the 'Music in the Woods' concert series.

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What they’re saying

“So our goal is to have the stage built so we can offer 'Music in the Woods', starting this first weekend in September. That is our goal. We've missed it for two years, and we really want to bring it back to the community.”

— Emily Nicholson, Paris Mountain State Park Manager (wspa.com)

“We're going to have a big storage room in the back that we didn't have before. Potentially, if we have extra money, we may buy some basic equipment that the musicians don't have to bring themselves, because we pay them like gas money to come. They are not doing this because they're making money. They're doing it because they love the park.”

— Allison Walker, Fundraiser organizer and Friends of Paris Mountain volunteer (wspa.com)

“You'll be able to have a plaque with your name or someone in memory of your dog's name, anything like that. And it will forever be a piece of the history of us rebuilding the stage for Paris Mountain.”

— Emily Nicholson, Paris Mountain State Park Manager (wspa.com)

“That was one of the things I always looked forward to in the summer…in the fall, was American 'Music in the Woods'. And so for us, it's just like a greater family experience that we're going to be able to enjoy for the next few years and maybe even decades.”

— Sam Morris, Volunteer and fundraiser organizer with Friends of Paris Mountain (wspa.com)

What’s next

The Friends of Paris Mountain are hoping to raise $25,000 to rebuild the amphitheater stage in time for the first weekend in September 2026, when they plan to resume the 'Music in the Woods' concert series.

The takeaway

The community's efforts to rebuild the beloved amphitheater stage at Paris Mountain State Park demonstrate the importance of public gathering spaces and the resilience of local residents in the face of natural disasters. The return of the 'Music in the Woods' series will be a cherished homecoming for the Greenville community.