361 replies to this topic

[GSP Tiger]

Any updates from the cleanup today?

[vicupstate]

BoDragon, on Jul 9 2005, 08:40 PM, said:

Any updates from the cleanup today?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Had a little better turnout than the one on the Sat. before Father's Day.  Started at Sulphur Springs and worked North toward Watkins Bridge.  I had to leave at 11:30, so I don't know if they made it through to where the work stopped going South FROM Watkins Bridge.

There will probably be another cleanup in 2-3 weeks.

[sunbird-gvl]

I just got this from Carlton Owens:

Looks like there is a next to last meeting this Saturday at 8:00 PM.
It is 1101 Blue Ridge Drive.

Jay Hubert

Thanks to great work by many folks, we believe that we can complete the first pass at clearing the old Greenville & Northern Rail Road on the way to interim trail use with just two additional Saturday mornings.  Such progress is in no small part due to the great start on June 4 and the continuing work of a smaller group of dedicated volunteers who have worked Wednesday and Saturday mornings every since.

The first section of focus for this weekend will be completing the link between Sulfur Springs and Blue Ridge Drive.  With the exception of the tall, rank vegetation on the Sulfur Springs end, the remainder of that section is comprised of fairly open vegetation -- scattered saplings and a dense mat of panic grass.  We are to have our contingent of hard workers from the Greenville County Detention Center helping again (we couldn't have done this without them!!) from 8-12 Saturday.  (Meet in the CAPSCO parking lot at 1101 Blue Ridge Dr.).

I think we should not only be able to finish that stretch but to pick up on the 300' start going south of Blue Ridge as well.

The following Saturday, August 6, we're making a push with Hands on Greenville and another group to complete the job.  The more we can get done this week, the more likely we can end this hot work on the 6th.

Hope to see you -- and your hand tools -- this Saturday at 8:00 am!  Remember long pants & long sleeves are recommended as is lots of water and a bit of bug spray.

[sunbird-gvl]

No firm details yet, but I think there is a last assault on the trail this weekend with Hands On Greenville Helping. There are two spots to meet. The Capsco parking lot on Blue Ridge - we got about half way through Old Bleachery Road last week. The other place to meet is under Academy Bridge - that would be at Linky Stone Park.

I think I am going to Linky Stone Park. I will post details as I have them.

FYI,
Jay Hubert

[sunbird-gvl]

OK Y'all it's official.

Looks like it  is at 8:00 AM on Saturday August 6th below Academy Street - That is Linky Stone Park. We really need lopers (branch cutters) and sling blades. We went down most of the way between Blue Ridge and Cedar Lane last weekend. This last effort should connect us to Furman and Travelers Rest.

YOU NEED LONG PANTS - A LONG SHIRT - AND SOME BUG SPRAY.
AND BRING LEATHER GLOVES.  

To get there you just turn from Main Street down by the Peace Center. Linky Stone is up on your Left.

See ya there!!!
Jay Hubert

This project is not managed by us. Although we are partnered with the agency offering this project, we are not running the project.
Rails to Trails

Agency: Upstate Forever

Description: Rails to Tralls is a project that spans from Travlers Rest into downtown Greenville, and involves cleaning the old Greenville and Northern railroads. The trail begins north of Travelers Rest and ends at the Academy Bridge. Volunteers have worked for months now and have cleared all the way to Blue Ridge Road. They are now making a huge push to finish up over the next two Saturdays, July 30 and August 6.
Volunteers are working to clear brush and overgrowth from the tracks.
Volunteers will need to sign in at the site, as well as bring their own hand tools, i.e. loppers, brush saws, gas powered weed eaters. It is best to be dressed in long pants and sleeves, with good walking shoes. Use insect repellant and bring lots of water.

Impact Area: Environment: Cleanups, Environment: Cleanups

Interests: The interests recommended for this project are:
Community Enrichment, Environment/Conservation

Skills: The skills helpful for participation in this project are:
Gardening/Landscaping

[sunbird-gvl]

We are having one more work crew that is set for Saturday August 27th at 8:30 AM. We will meet where Willard crosses the rail road. This could be the long awaited break through.

Jay

[RestedTraveler]

Rails to Trails Needs Public Support to Survive

The Rails to Trails project for Northern Greenville County is in need of your help.

Upstate communities and organizations were brought together this past summer, as this thread chronicles, to clear the stretch of the old Swamp Rabbit railway from Travelers Rest to down below Furman University., in hopes of paving the way for a future permanent trail for hikers, walkers, and bikers.

Keeping these trails dedicated to this purpose will require the voice, pen, and support of all trail supporters and enthusiasts.

Why?  Because there are now two separate bids to purchase this right-of-way by corporations (Western Carolina Railroad Service and Athens Line, LLC) propsing to reactivate the rail line for commercial and industrial rail use.

The fate of these trails and their use will ultimately be decided by the Federal Surface Transportatio Board in Washington, DC.

Please, if you support the effort to convert this rail line (and rail lines such as this), write a letter of support, specifically identifying your support for the North Greenville County, South Carolina Rails to Trails project.

Address the letter to:

Mr. Vernon A. Williams
Secretary, Surface Transportation Board
1925 K Street, NW
Suite 700
Washington, DC 20423-0001

Thank you in advance for your time, effort, and support.

-the Rested Traveler

Edited by RestedTraveler, 28 October 2005 - 08:06 PM.

[RestedTraveler]

Did anybody happen to catch the article in this week's Upstate Link about this issue?

It sounds as though it should all be settled (more or less) soon.

[Skyliner]

Yes, being in the hands of the federal government, something is sure to happen relatively soon.

[RestedTraveler]

[RestedTraveler]

Skyliner, on Mar 12 2006, 09:29 AM, said:

Yes, being in the hands of the federal government, something is sure to happen relatively soon.

Sooner than you think:  http://greenvilleonl.../LINK/603170346

[Skyliner]

Doesn't sound promising.  Over $700,000 in less than two weeks?  He needs a major company's financial backing to help get this thing going.

[RestedTraveler]

Yea, especially considering he had valued the ROW at $45K himself.  Looks like we may very well have a trail instead of a short-line freight operator.

[g-man430]

http://www.greenvill.../LINK/603290426
-Rail to trail back on track

[RestedTraveler]

Related discussion:  CLICK HERE.

[g-man430]

More news about trail; could open by year's end: http://www.wyff4.com...210/detail.html

[RestedTraveler]

Rails-To-Trails Update.

Click Here.

[Skyliner]

"Final stages."  This sounds very promising!  Hope to see the plan in action soon.

[greenville05]

No updates since April not seeing anything on Net since then.  What is happening with the trails?  VERY excited about seeing it happen.  Especially if it runs close to the Lofts of Greenville on Smythe.  Rested Traveler, you are everywhere and seem to be on it.  What is happening?
Thanks.

[Spartan]

One update is that Spartanburg has completed its first rail to trail project. A large section of the Hub City Connector (part of the Palmetto Trail system) is on a former CSX line that ran between Union St and S Pine from Country Club Rd to Henry St. The trail has been incredibly successful, infact, it has been more successful than originally expected. I always see people running/walking along there during most times of the day.