Outdoor giant chess and checker park opens at Sheppard Memorial Library

The City of Greenville and Sheppard Memorial Library held a ribbon-cutting ceremony Tuesday to officially open the new outdoor chess park on the library's central lawn on Tuesday.

Citizens will have the opportunity to use their Sheppard Memorial Library card to check out chess or checkers game pieces and compete on the concrete playing surface.

The library will also provide books on chess that can be checked out and indoor playing boards, including a "chess teacher" that explains how each piece can be moved.

The outdoor chess set will be the first of its kind in Greenville.

"We are excited to be able to offer giant chess and checkers at the library uptown, and we really appreciate all of the support and teamwork that came together to make the project a reality," Sheppard Memorial Library Director Greg Needham said. "The chess park has turned out beautifully, and I can't think of a nicer spot for a friendly game of chess."