The Green Creek Community Center across from the Green Creek Baptist Church has finished extending a walking track on their property behind the main building.

Thanks to a $13,500 grant given to them by the Polk County Community Foundation last year, the community center was able to finish paving the rest of the track around the old baseball and soccer field, according to Green Creek Community Center board member Pat Salomon.

The track is a 0.22-mile stretch that wraps behind the property starting at the parking lot next the WNC Family Medical Center on the far right. A smaller, 0.17-mile walking track exists next to the community center to the left of the center’s parking lot.

Solomon said Bird Paving out of Inman, S.C. paved the rest of the track for $9,250, and plans are being made to add signage to the track as well as landscaping. John Vining has met with the community center to discuss beautifying the track, but Salomon said no flowers could be planted until the fall.

She added this project originated when she and the PCCF committee came together last year at a classroom in the center to talk about the project and, while doing so, found plans to extend the track many years ago long before she thought of it. The track is heavily used by visitors to the center and Salomon said now was the perfect time to make the extension.

With the additional $4,250, Salomon said $3,000 would be allocated to hold a community grand opening celebration for the track as well as advertising and signage from Sign Source in Tryon. Details for the community opening celebration have yet to be determined and the remaining funds will be used for landscaping.