Communities unite with Saluda Grade Trail Celebration 

Published 12:20 pm Friday, August 1, 2025

Public events highlight the progress made on the Saluda Grade Trail

TRYON—On Thursday July 31, the Foothills was filled with excitement as local officials, community members, and trail enthusiasts gathered to celebrate the significant progress made on the Saluda Grade Trail. The Saluda Grade Trail Celebration was hosted by PAL (Play, Advocate, Live Well) and Conserving Carolina. The events featured a ribbon cutting ceremony, public remarks, a ceremonial spike removal, and a community celebration complete with live music and trail displays.

An enthusiastic crowd of trail supporters gathered in front of the Historic Saluda Depot for a ribbon cutting ceremony kicking off the day of celebration. The celebration continued at the Historic Tryon Depot where trail supporters heard from a number of speakers and witnessed the ceremonial spike removal. 

The public event was preceded by a private meeting inside the Depot, where local groups set up tables providing information, including the City of Landrum, Saluda Business Association, Saluda Depot and Tryon History Museum. 

The public event featured Laura Ringo, Executive Director of PAL, welcoming attendees and introducing a lineup of South Carolina speakers who highlighted the collaborative efforts behind the trail’s development. She also emphasized the importance of the South Carolina Conservation Bank and the Mary Black Foundation for their financial support, which helped bridge funding gaps and ensure that the project pushed forward.

After Ringo’s remarks, Michael Forrester, a passionate advocate for the trail, spoke of his long-standing dedication to the project. He was followed by Landrum Mayor Bob Briggs, who expressed his gratitude to the various partners that played a crucial role in realizing the trail’s vision. 

The event also featured speeches from other local North Carolina mayors introduced by Conserving Carolina, including Mayor Alan Peoples of Tryon and Mayor Tangie Morgan of Saluda, who both celebrated the significance of the trail for their communities. 

Mayor Peoples remarked, “Today we are here to celebrate the next chapter of Tryon and her sisters along 31 miles of rails that are now ours.” 

He highlighted the trail’s potential for economic growth and the anticipated benefits for local businesses.

Mayor Morgan 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.” 

She expressed appreciation for the visionaries and supporters who have brought the dream of the trail to fruition, emphasizing its lasting legacy for future generations.

Maggie Thompson, Chief Deputy Secretary for the North Carolina Department of Cultural and Natural Resources, also shared her enthusiasm, saying, “This trail will be another jewel in the crown of the Great Trail State.” 

She recognized the collaboration between North Carolina and South Carolina and commended the efforts of local leaders and the community.

Kiernan Roe, Executive Director of Conserving Carolina, also praised the collaborative efforts of local volunteers and elected officials at the event celebrating the acquisition of a new rail trail project. He emphasized the importance of community engagement in transforming the transportation corridor into a recreational path that will connect historic towns and boost the local economy. 

“This is not just a victory for Conserving Carolina, but a milestone for all of us as a community,” Roe said. 

Roe finished by encouraging community members to get involved by contacting Conserving Carolina or visiting the Saluda Grade Trails Conservancy website for volunteer opportunities and project updates.

As the sun set, the festivities continued with live music from Pinnacle Mountain All-Stars and hors d’oeuvres prepared by Chef Sharone, uniting the community in a shared vision for the future of the Saluda Grade Trail. The trail, once a critical railway route, is now poised to enhance recreation, tourism, and economic development across the region, inviting hikers and bikers to enjoy the scenic beauty of the Carolinas.

The Saluda Grade Trail is a 31.5-mile rail trail conversion project transforming the historic Saluda Grade Railroad into a multi-use path that connects Inman, South Carolina, to Zirconia, North Carolina. The trail will traverse Inman, Gramling, Landrum, Tryon, and Saluda. Spearheaded by the Saluda Grade Trails Conservancy, the trail will offer outdoor recreational opportunities, boosting local economies with an estimated $240 million benefit, enhancing health and wellness for residents, and creating wildlife habitats.