During the month of June we asked our audience what beautiful natural resources they are enjoying in our state during these warmer months. You guys voted, and selected SCETV viewer Linda French’s question. Linda wrote us saying, “I'd like to know more about [the Swamp] Rabbit Trail in Greenville. How long is the trail, how did it get its name and what are the amenities?”
SCETV’s The Scoop headed up to the South Carolina Upstate to talk to Ty Houck, Greenville County’s Director of Greenways, Natural and Historic Resources, to get the scoop on the Prisma Health Swamp Rabbit Trail!
The Swamp Rabbit Trail began as a 9-mile greenway that was built on the abandoned roadbed of the Greenville and Northern Railway in the mid 2000s. Passengers of the former railroad noted how the train hopped on the tracks like the swamp rabbit native to the area, thus nicknaming the line the Swamp Rabbit Railroad. This nickname carried over to the trail, and is how the trail got its present-day name, the Swamp Rabbit Trail. Now the trail is 22 miles long, starting Lake Conestee Nature Preserve, traversing through Downtown Greenville and Furman University, ending just north of Travelers Rest. Along the trail are various amenities, ranging from air-pump stations for cyclists, rest areas with water fountains and benches, to public parks like Falls Park in Downtown Greenville. In addition, the trail has caused a boom of business along the Trail with bike rental shops, local eateries, breweries, and retail shops.
There are many ways to enjoy the Swamp Rabbit Trail, whether biking, walking, roller-blading, running, or skateboarding. Lace up your sneakers, head out to the Swamp Rabbit Trail and see what the trail can offer you!
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