The Saluda Grade Trail Celebration will take place along the rail line at the Tryon Depot. (Photo by Jim Kelly/Palmetto Trail)

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TRYON—The public is invited to a celebration of the future Saluda Grade Trail, which reached a major milestone in June when a coalition of nonprofits successfully purchased the historic railroad for a rail trail. The Saluda Grade Trail Celebration will take place along the rail line at the Tryon Depot in downtown Tryon at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 31. 

The event is located near the North Carolina/South Carolina state line so that trail supporters from both states can gather to celebrate the planned new trail. The 31-mile Saluda Grade Trail will extend from Upstate SC into the mountains of Western NC, passing through the towns of Inman, Campobello, Landrum, Tryon, Saluda, and Zirconia. The trail is expected to provide major benefits for local economies, outdoor recreation, and good health.

A coalition of local nonprofits worked together to buy the rail line—Conserving Carolina; PAL: Play, Advocate, Live Well, and Upstate Forever.  

“We still have a long way to go before we can open the Saluda Grade Trail,” says Kieran Roe, executive director of Conserving Carolina. “We will work with local communities on design and planning to make sure we’re creating the best version of the trail. And we will need to raise the money for construction. Still, purchasing the land is an incredible milestone, and we have so much to celebrate.”

The Saluda Grade Trail Celebration will feature remarks from community leaders, who will share the story of the trail so far and the vision for the future. There will also be live music and a ceremonial removal of the first railroad spike. 

The Tryon Depot is located within a designated social district, so participants can bring a beverage from nearby bars or restaurants, if desired. Afterwards, participants are encouraged to stay for dinner at one of the many nearby restaurants in downtown Tryon—a foretaste of the positive impact the rail trail is expected to have for locally owned businesses.

Tryon Depot is located at 22 Depot St. in Tryon. For more information about the Saluda Grade Trail or to support the project, go to saludagradetrail.org.  

 

Submitted by Rose Jenkins Lane