01 Feb Another milestone for the Spanish Moss Trail
I cross the Spanish Moss Trail several times a day. I cannot remember a time when I did not see a diverse group of residents and visitors enjoying its grace, beauty and functionality. As the hole between the Depot and Broad River Road is closed with the completion of the traffic signal at Highway 170, we meet another milestone enhancing more opportunities for the community.
The Spanish Moss Trail meanders from Port Royal through the City of Beaufort and Burton. Section by section the trail grows through collaboration among the Friends of the Spanish Moss Trail, Beaufort County, the Town of Royal, the City of Beaufort and, most importantly, the inspiration and financial support of the Cox Family and the Path Foundation. The next step will be to connect from Roseida Road, near MCAS, though the outer edge of Clarendon Plantation to Grays Hill. I firmly believe it will not be long thereafter that the path extends through Seabrook to the new county recreational pier on the Whale Branch River.
I am more and more convinced that The Spanish Moss Trail will be the most transformational improvement to the quality of life in Beaufort since the development of the Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park.
NEWS RELEASE: The Spanish Moss Trail to Open Phase 4
A Fully-Connected Trail in the Lowcountry
Later this week, the Friends of the Spanish Moss Trail (FSMT) will announce the opening of the next 2 miles of the Spanish Moss Trail – from Depot Road to Broad River Boulevard – bringing the Lowcountry a fully-connected, 6.5 mile Trail that provides a seamless route from Port Royal to the communities south of the Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS).
With a grant from the Federal Highway Administration, Beaufort County will complete construction on the much-anticipated Phase 4 of the Trail that connects Phases 1-2 with Phase 3 – which until now had a 2 mile gap. This new segment is a beautiful section of the Trail crossing over Battery Creek on the newly restored Ealey’s Trestle.
This new segment, which is still receiving its final construction touches this week, will provide continuous access to downtown Beaufort and Port Royal from the neighborhoods along Salem Road as well as access from both directions to the movie theatre and the Beaufort Plaza shopping center.
This new section will provide a continuous 6.5 miles of the Spanish Moss Trail open to explore by bike or on foot. Its 10-Phase Master Plan, which when complete, will be a 13.6-mile long, 12-foot wide, paved trail –dedicated to pedestrians and bicyclists.
As for what’s next for the Spanish Moss Trail, the FSMT are actively involved in the planning and engineering of Phase 5 of the Trail that will take our residents and visitors up to and beyond the MCAS to Clarendon Road – which will extend the Trail to a total of 11 miles by early Fall 2016. The FSMT are also working hard to build the appropriate partnerships to ensure the Trail is sustainable, well-appointed and a safe outdoor recreational experience here in our community. They are advocating and securing funds for continued Trail development as well as for enhancements – like working with businesses on long-term sponsorships for Rest Area Trailheads, individual benches and water fountains.
To support the FSMT (501(c)3 nonprofit) , tax-deductible contributions are accepted year round: checks can be made payable to: Friends of the Spanish Moss Trail (P.O. Box 401, Beaufort, SC 29901) or online at www.spanishmosstrail.com. If your business is interested in a long-term sponsorship of a current or future Trail amenity, contact them at info@spanishmosstrail.com.