News

Public meetings set on Saluda Grade Trail

By Lightning Reports, Published: September 21, 2023

Two public drop-in meetings have been scheduled on the Saluda Grade Trail during which people can learn more about the proposed trail and share their goals, ideas and concerns.

“We are excited about the opportunity to meet with the community to discuss the next phase of use for this iconic rail corridor," said Kristin Cozza, Trails and Greenways Coordinator for Conserving Carolina. "We want to ensure that this project reflects the community's vision and priorities.”

The first public meetings will take place:

• 5:30-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 17, at the Inman library in Inman, S.C.
• 5:30-7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 19, at Polk County High School in Columbus.

During the drop-in meetings participants may circulate through various stations, where they will have opportunities to give input on various aspects of the trail. The input will inform the overall vision for the trail. RSVP for the public meetings is encouraged but not required. To RSVP visit saludagradetrail.org.

The Saluda Grade Trail is a proposed 31-mile rail trail that would follow the route of the historic Saluda Grade rail, running through Campobello, Inman and Landrum in South Carolina and Tryon, Saluda and Zirconia in North Carolina. The Saluda Grade Trail is being spearheaded by a coalition of nonprofits in the Carolinas —Conserving Carolina; PAL: Play, Advocate, Live Well; and Upstate Forever.

The coalition has engaged the firm Traffic Planning and Design, Inc. to conduct an economic impact and feasibility study, which began this summer. After the public meetings, the coalition will launch an online survey. For updates on the trail, including opportunities for future public input ot to sign up for emails, visit saludagradetrail.org.