Resolution to Preserve Over 1,000 Acres

The Spartanburg Area Conservancy (SPACE) is a significant step closer to realizing its dream of preserving over 1,000 acres in Glendale. The Spartanburg County Council unanimously voted on April 15 to approve a resolution allocating $2 million from the Spartanburg County Public Access Land Bank to the project. This initiative, if successful, will see approximately 945 acres to the east of SPACE’s Glendale Shoals and Glendale Mill properties acquired for preservation and public access.

Under the terms of the agreed-upon resolution, the property will be leased and managed by Spartanburg County Parks and Recreation for a century and protected by a SPACE conservation easement. “The easement that will be reviewed not only by the state, but by the county as well to make sure that it meets everybody’s goals, and the language within that easement will have allowances for the creation of infrastructure for passive recreation,” said SPACE Executive Director.

A Tremendous Opportunity for Spartanburg County

County Council Chairman praised the project, describing it as a “tremendous opportunity”. He noted how the project ties into the county’s overall program for outdoor linear parks, including its trail systems. The preserved land will fit into what will soon be the Country Club Road corridor addition to the Mary Black Rail Trail, eventually leading to Clifton in one direction. This, he stated, represents a generational opportunity.

Funding the New Park

The project is now closer to its financial goal thanks to the Spartanburg Council’s grant. Last month, the SC Conservation Bank agreed to offer $3 million towards the purchase of the land, bringing the total funds raised so far to approximately $5 million. This leaves just $20 million remaining of the total $25 million needed to finalize the purchase price. The South Carolina Office of Resilience, an organization founded to help mitigate the future risk of flooding in the state, is set to vote on the issue in May. A closing scheduled for June is contingent upon a favorable vote.

Acquiring the property for a green space park would represent a significant win for conservation in Spartanburg County. SPACE Board of Trustees President stated that this project will substantially increase the percentage of protected lands within the county, raising the current figure of 2.6% by an additional 8%.

The County, which is the eighth-fastest growing metro area in the nation according to US census data, currently ranks at 42 out of South Carolina’s 46 counties in terms of land protection. With this added preserve, future generations can enjoy, discover and learn from the land as it stands today. The additional parkland will also ensure the state remains an attractive location for returning residents.