As you stroll through the charming streets of downtown Saluda and Tryon in Polk County, you’ll notice numerous signs showcasing support for the Saluda Grade Trail. This much-anticipated rails-to-trails project is steadily progressing toward becoming a reality.
Recent public engagement efforts revealed strong community interest, with over 1,000 individuals providing feedback on the endeavor to convert a disused rail line into a trail linking North and South Carolina. The project is named after the Saluda Grade, known for being the steepest standard-gauge railroad incline in the U.S., traversing the Blue Ridge Escarpment.
Findings show that 63% of participants prioritize safe recreational opportunities, while nearly all respondents advocate for educational initiatives that highlight the trail-connected communities’ histories.
Courtesy of Saluda Grail Trail Conservancy
The trail is also anticipated to boost economic development, with 86% of respondents backing the potential growth, though over half emphasized the need for meticulous management. Kristin Cozza, trails and greenways manager for Conserving Carolina, underscored the importance of community input from local businesses and historical groups. She remarked, “It’s more than just a 15-foot wide piece of asphalt on the ground that goes for 31 miles. It really is about the stories and the history and the way that we connect our communities together, and the opportunity that that brings for growing new businesses.”
Cindy Tuttle, leader of Historic Saluda Inc., expressed enthusiasm at a forum, highlighting the nonprofit’s recent acquisition of the Saluda Presbyterian Church’s sanctuary. They aim to transform it into a museum along the trail. Tuttle shared, “So when you walk up the trail, you’re going to be able — we hope in different ways — to be able to share the stories of those people that lived in those mountains before the train came up the grade in 1878.”
Felicia Sonmez
/
BPR News
Although the trail’s completion is still years away, its potential impact is significant. The route from Inman, South Carolina, to Zirconia, North Carolina, could generate up to $22 million in visitor spending annually. South Carolina has already allocated $6 million toward the project’s design, with work underway to clear old rail equipment. Meanwhile, North Carolina organizers are actively seeking funding for key segments, with grant announcements expected later this summer.
