The picturesque Foothills region recently buzzed with excitement as local officials, community members, and trail enthusiasts converged to commemorate the significant strides made on the ambitious Saluda Grade Trail project. This momentous occasion, dubbed the Saluda Grade Trail Celebration, marked a pivotal point in transforming a historic railway route into a vibrant recreational path, promising profound benefits for the interconnected communities.

Hosted collaboratively by PAL (Play, Advocate, Live Well) and Conserving Carolina, the day’s festivities unfolded with a series of public events. Highlights included a symbolic ribbon-cutting ceremony, insightful public remarks from key stakeholders, and a ceremonial spike removal, signifying the successful transition from rail to trail. These public demonstrations were complemented by a lively community celebration, featuring local music and informative trail displays that underscored the project’s immense potential.

Preceding the main public gathering, a private meeting convened inside the Historic Saluda Depot, where various local organizations had established information tables. Representatives from the City of Landrum, Saluda Business Association, Saluda Depot, and the Tryon History Museum were present, engaging with attendees and sharing details about the comprehensive scope and anticipated impacts of the multi-use trail.

Laura Ringo, Executive Director of PAL, played a central role in welcoming the enthusiastic crowd, formally introducing a lineup of South Carolina speakers who eloquently articulated the collaborative spirit propelling the trail’s development. She notably acknowledged the indispensable financial contributions from entities such as the South Carolina Conservation Bank and the Mary Black Foundation, whose support was critical in bridging funding gaps and ensuring the project’s sustained momentum.

The celebration also featured impassioned speeches from North Carolina mayors, introduced by Conserving Carolina, who championed the trail’s significance for their respective communities. Mayor Alan Peoples of Tryon remarked, “Today we are here to celebrate the next chapter of Tryon and her sisters along 31 miles of rails that are now ours,” while Mayor Tangie Morgan of Saluda added, “This trail is going to be more than just a path. It will be a bridge between our communities, offering a corridor of opportunity and celebrating our picturesque mountain towns.”

Further emphasizing the broad support and vision, Maggie Thompson, Chief Deputy Secretary for the North Carolina Department of Cultural and Natural Resources, shared her enthusiasm, declaring, “This trail will be another jewel in the crown of the Great Trail State.” Kiernan Roe, Executive Director of Conserving Carolina, also lauded the collective efforts of volunteers and elected officials, underscoring how community engagement is pivotal in transforming the transportation corridor into a recreational asset that will unify historic towns and stimulate the local economy.

As the day progressed into evening, the festivities continued with live music from the Pinnacle Mountain All-Stars and delightful hors d’oeuvres, fostering a sense of shared purpose among attendees. The collective vision for the Saluda Grade Trail solidified, envisioning a future where this once-critical railway route significantly enhances outdoor recreation, boosts regional tourism, and drives sustained economic development across the Carolinas, inviting countless hikers and bikers to explore its scenic beauty.

The Saluda Grade Trail represents a transformative 31.5-mile rail trail conversion, meticulously repurposing the historic Saluda Grade Railroad into a versatile multi-use path. This ambitious project will seamlessly connect Inman, South Carolina, to Zirconia, North Carolina, traversing through key towns including Inman, Gramling, Landrum, Tryon, and Saluda. Spearheaded by the Saluda Grade Trails Conservancy, the completed trail is projected to offer unparalleled outdoor recreational opportunities, inject an estimated $240 million into local economies, significantly enhance community health and wellness, and establish vital new wildlife habitats.