There is a plan in the works for a 31-mile-long trail to connect South Carolina and North Carolina. The Saluda Grade Railroad hasn’t been used since 2001. The plan is for the Saluda Grade Trail to extend from Inman, South Carolina to Zirconia, North Carolina. Nearly 16 miles of the railroad is in South Carolina and 15 in North Carolina. (Published by WSPA)
A coalition of nonprofits in North Carolina and South Carolina are working together to purchase the inactive Saluda Grade railroad corridor for a new approximately 31-mile rail trail. Similar to the popular Prisma Health Swamp Rabbit Trail or Virginia Creeper Trail, this rail trail would spur economic growth while providing new opportunities for outdoor recreation.
Nearly $10 million in earmarks from this year's $13.8 billion state budget are headed to Spartanburg for two long-term projects that are expected to boost economic growth and create recreational opportunities. State Reps. Max Hyde of Spartanburg and Rita Allison of Lyman obtained $5 million for the 31-mile Saluda Grade Trail project, which will allow three nonprofits to purchase of the 16-mile South Carolina portion of the former Norfolk Southern rail line. The line will be converted to trails that will connect Inman, Campobello and Landrum northern Spartanburg County to the North Carolina towns of Saluda, Tryon and Zirconia in Henderson County. (Published by Spartanburg Herald Journal)
Downtown Spartanburg has begun the construction of a $2 million pedestrian and bicycle trail extension that will take the Mary Black Foundation Rail Trail to Barnet Park. This 0.6-mile extension will start from the current Rail Trail terminus near the intersection of Union and E. Henry streets, stretch through Union and E. Kennedy streets, to S. Converse Street, and end at Barnet Park on E. St. John Street.
The Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System Criterium bike races go through the heart of Spartanburg into a one of a kind block party. The Crit consists of 6 races, 4 amateur and 2 professional. This is the professional men's race the last race of the night.
It's already the most popular walking and cycling trail in Spartanburg County, and soon, thanks to $2.3 million in planned streetscaping enhancements for Downtown Spartanburg, the two-mile Mary Black Rail Trail will receive a much-anticipated extension from its current end near the intersection of E Henry and Union streets through downtown to Barnet Park.
Imagine five years from now riding public transit into Spartanburg along the recently landscaped Asheville Highway or West Main Street corridor, or walking to your job in a nearby office building downtown. At lunchtime, the reimagined and pedestrian-only Morgan Square is filled with visitors and office workers dining at a wider range of restaurants, or shopping at any of the new minority-owned businesses.
Since the beginning, Mary Black Foundation has supported PAL and worked alongside us to build a healthier, more active Spartanburg. They, along with PAL, believe that health and wellness are basic human rights. In 2020, the Foundation’s Program Directors, Keisha Gray and Natalia Valenzuela Swanson began to create framework that would guide us in achieving their mission to invest in people and communities for improved health, wellness, and success in Spartanburg County. We are honored to be a part of the framework and excited to see how their vision positively impacts our community.
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