The Extension of Swamp Rabbit Trail
Photo courtesy of www.greenvillesc.gov
GracIe Fletcher, Staff Writer
Revealed in January 2015, locals of the upstate can now expect the well-known Swamp Rabbit Trail to be extended south of downtown Greenville. The Swamp Rabbit Trail has provided weekend adventures and earthly commuting for both pedestrians and cyclists alike which furthers the uniqueness of what makes Greenville home to so many. The trail has also provided the success of many businesses in the Greenville area including the thriving small town of Travelers Rest.
The trail runs right through downtown Travelers Rest and has influenced local businesses like Sunrift Adventures. Sunrift is a power house of providing any recreational items one would need to fully embrace the trail. The expansion of the Swamp Rabbit Trail could only promote business for Sunrift as a local company. “Extending it through Travelers Rest and up towards Marietta has brought our store tremendous amount of business,” Sunrift Adventures employee Blake Morris said.
Originating as a bike shop, Sunrift’s success derived from the trail as it gave them opportunities to entice customers to purchase a bike to enjoy some time on the small roads. “We’ve had a bike shop here for years and it was one of those things where it was just there but never really took off. Now with Swamp Rabbit we rent out bikes all year round with full service. We are also selling bikes to get people out on the trail.”
The extension of the trail will eventually further the sense of community that the upstate has to offer. “TR is pretty much booming now since it backs up to the Swamp Rabbit Trail which provides more recreation for everyone here,” Morris said. “The trail provides a bigger sense of community without spending a lot of money so it’s a no brainer to extend it.”
