Spartanburg to Get 20 Miles of New Trails in Next Four Years

Promising Trends in Urban Access

Downtown Spartanburg to Drayton Mills? Clifton Beach to North Carolina? Here’s where

In an ambitious move to enhance urban access and lifestyle, Spartanburg’s trail system is slated to see some significant developments in the next four years. Spartanburg Play. Advocate. Live well. (PAL) has announced its key role in adding 20 new miles to the urban trail system, along with another 20 miles additionally planned for development.

Currently, the Spartanburg trail system, known as the Daniel Morgan Trail System, boasts of 24 miles of prime trails. These trails, however, are not mutually interlinked. This is set to change in the next four years as PAL aims to generate a web-like network of mutually connected trails, providing broad access to downtown and to each other.

Purchase of the Saluda Grade Railway

PAL and its partner organizations, in a progressive move, have secured a purchase agreement for the Saluda Grade Railway, which is set to eventually become a multi-state trail itself. This brings PAL closer to its ultimate goal of developing and interconnecting more than 55 miles of trails. This extensive network of trails will include pivotal points within the city and county, such as downtown Spartanburg, the Milliken Arboretum, and Lawson’s Fork Creek, to name a few.

Progress of Spartanburg’s Trail Projects

There are several trail projects currently underway and the Saluda Grade Rail Line and the acquisition of its railroad line from Norfolk Southern is one of the most thrilling to note. After the purchase agreement is finalized, the 31-mile railroad will be transformed into a multi-state trail for various outdoor activities, connecting Spartanburg to North Carolina.

Duncan Park and Fairforest Creek Expansion

For 2021, PAL received a federal grant of $23.8 million for trail work, mainly targeting the Fairforest Creek section of trail that connects the Mayfair Mill Lofts to the CC Woodson Community Center. PAL is also working to connect the Fairforest Creek trail to Duncan Park, which, once successful, would grant uninterrupted connectivity from Mayfair Lofts to downtown as well.

Hub City Hopper and Beaumont Mill Village

Fall 2024 is expected to see the initiation of the Hub City Hopper project. The aim is to expand the Hopper to provide connections from downtown Spartanburg to the historical Beaumont Mill Village, Drayton Mills, and the River Birch Trail.

Country Club Road Developments

Another thrilling project that expects to finish by May 2025 is the Trolley Line Trail along Country Club Road. The 3.3-mile trail will provide uninterrupted access to Glendale Shoals from the 1.9-mile Mary Black Rail and further up to Clifton Beach, establishing a connection between downtown, Drayton Mills, Mayfair Lofts, Croft State Park, and Clifton Beach.

If interested in discovering more about The Dan, click here. For an interactive map of current DAN trails and information regarding points of access, click here.