south carolina governor's conference on tourism and travel
DESCRIPTION
The Swamp Rabbit Trail is a tremendous asset to the people of Greenville County, South Carolina, and attracts visitors from across the state and Southeast. The story of the regional greenway trail's development is told here, as delivered to participant's in the SC Governor's Conference on Tourism and Travel in 2012.TRANSCRIPT
The tale of the
Brian Graham Greenway & Sustainability Manager
City of Greenville, SC
South Carolina Governor’s Conference on Tourism and Travel
February 21, 2012
Swamp Rabbit Trail 40% believe their neighborhood is great b/c of access to parks…
Acknowledging limited funds, if Greenville residents could choose
how to spend public monies, even if it meant higher fees and taxes,
the majority would choose: Developing Greenways
Swamp Rabbit Trail
Swamp Rabbit Trail
Plan adopted in January 2008
The plan is conceptual, provides vision.
Swamp Rabbit Trail
Reedy River corridor identified as a priority.
Swamp Rabbit Trail
Swamp Rabbit Trail is a collaborative effort.
Swamp Rabbit Trail
14.5 connected miles now
4 miles at Lake Conestee Park
1 mile under construction
Will expand to 23 miles
in next few years.
Swamp Rabbit Trail
City Council has appropriated $5M of capital
improvement funds in last 5 fiscal years Bonds, Hospitality Tax, Downtown TIF, Sunday alcohol tax
We’ve received $1.6M in fed/state grants
GCRD has $1M commitment from the
Greenville Hospital System
Swamp Rabbit Trail
Swamp Rabbit Trail Downtown, City of Travelers Rest
Swamp Rabbit Trail Downtown, City of Greenville
Swamp Rabbit Trail
Swamp Rabbit Trail
Swamp Rabbit Trail
[Before]
Swamp Rabbit Trail
[After]
Swamp Rabbit Trail
[Before]
Swamp Rabbit Trail
[After]
[Before]
Swamp Rabbit Trail
Swamp Rabbit Trail
[After]
Swamp Rabbit Trail
[After]
Swamp Rabbit Trail
Swamp Rabbit Trail
Swamp Rabbit Trail
Swamp Rabbit Trail Clemson University student designed and built art along trail.
Swamp Rabbit Trail Born Learning stations installed by United Way volunteers.
Swamp Rabbit Trail
Swamp Rabbit Trail
Getting to the trail Safely
On-street facilities
Bikeway Network 2005
Courtesy of Andrew Meeker
2 Miles of
Greenways
1 Mile of
Bike Lane
Courtesy of Andrew Meeker
Bikeway Network 2011
8 Miles of
Greenways
13 Miles of
Bike Lanes
2+ Miles of
Bike Routes
4+ Miles of
Mountain
Bike Trails
Bicycle Friendly
Bicycle Friendly
City of Greenville
2005: 2 Bike Shops
2011: 8 Bike Shops
2011: $8 Million in sales
Bicycle Friendly
Since 2005, 75% of shops have increased
sales by over 20%
100% of bike shops attributed sales
increase to local, public investment in bicycle
infrastructure
Bike sales at Wal-mart in Travelers Rest
have increased by 300%
Bicycle Friendly
New business
along the trail.
Swamp Rabbit Trail
Trail Users– Between 500-2,000/ day Dependent on weather, location, season, etc.
October 2011–
300+ trail users counted at 2 locations during
a 2 hour period on a week-day afternoon
Economic impact of out-of-town visitors ???
Swamp Rabbit Trail
The tale of the
Brian Graham Greenway & Sustainability Manager
City of Greenville, SC
South Carolina Governor’s Conference on Tourism and Travel
February 21, 2012