Efforts to restore a railcar and establish the Swamp Rabbit Station pocket
park on the Greenville Hospital System Swamp Rabbit Trail are progressing as
planned, and organizers have created an opportunity for the community to be
part of the project. Community members can purchase engraved bricks to become a
permanent part of the restoration and park project.
A
Leadership Greenville Class 39 Project Team is partnering with Greenville
County Recreation District to refurbish a 70-year-old railcar and create a
unique pocket park that will be a resting and gathering point along the 17-mile
Greenville Hospital System Swamp Rabbit Trail.
“Our goal to sell 400 engraved bricks to individuals, companies and organizations in the Greenville community so that we can ensure this beautiful parks existence,” said Ally Hale, project manager for the Leadership Greenville 39 Project Team. Bricks can be purchased for $50.
“Our goal to sell 400 engraved bricks to individuals, companies and organizations in the Greenville community so that we can ensure this beautiful parks existence,” said Ally Hale, project manager for the Leadership Greenville 39 Project Team. Bricks can be purchased for $50.
According
to Ty Houck, Director of Greenways, Natural and Historic Resources, Greenville
County Recreation District “This project is a perfect location for Leadership
Greenville 39 to be involved in an effort that positively impacts the Berea
community. Over 359,000 individuals use the trail annually and more than 24,000
people reside within a two-mile radius of this location. This park will spark
further economic development along the trail and be a source of community
pride.”
Class
members envision the park, located at the Sulphur Springs Road intersection, to
act as a gateway to a revived Berea community. Swamp Rabbit Station will stand
in the center of the 17-mile trail, a heavily used resting and turn around spot
for families, cyclists and runners. Railcar paint restoration is in progress.
Leadership Greenville Class 39 also partnered with TreesGreenville to plant
trees on the site. The Spinx Corporation has made a significant contribution to
support the project. Greenville Water System and the Greenville Track Club will
contribute a water fountain; Mast General Store and Keen Footwear will a
provide a park bench; and Greenville Spinners will install at bike repair
station. Class 39 is also seeking sponsors to help fund the additional phases
of the project.
For
more information on the project, or to purchase a brick, please visit: http://swamprabbitstation.com/buy-a-brick/.
About
Leadership Greenville
Leadership
Greenville is a Greenville Chamber LEAD Initiative program designed to help
develop informed, committed and qualified leaders for Greenville County. By
taking an intensive look into the issues affecting Greenville County,
Leadership Greenville prepares and motivates participants to provide quality, dynamic
leadership within the area. Since the program began in 1973, there have been
over 1,800 participants. Many alumni have served in key leadership positions
within their businesses and organizations, as well as city council, county
council, school board, members of Congress and as judges.
Leadership
Greenville requires a 10-month commitment. Participants are selected through an
application process based upon their past involvement in the community and
their ability to set and achieve high personal goals. New classes embark each
year on a journey to understand the inner-workings of our area, including
Managed Growth and the Economy, Quality of Life, Human Services, Local
Government, Justice, Education and State Government.
Each
class selects a project or projects to meet a need in the area. Class Projects
are chosen based on proposals submitted by class members, as well as nonprofit
Chamber-member organizations.
Leadership
Greenville’s Class 40 is sponsored by AcumenIT and USC Upstate.
About
the Greenville Chamber’s LEAD Initiative
The
Greenville Chamber’s LEAD Initiative includes several programs designed to
develop informed, committee and qualified leaders for the area. Programs
include Youth Leadership Greenville, Opportunity Greenville, PULSE Young
Professionals in Action, Leadership Greenville, and Leadership Greenville
Alumni.
About
the Greenville Chamber
The
Greenville Chamber is the largest business organization in the Upstate. The
Chamber's mission is to build one of the premier business communities in the
world by leading through collaboration, building community prosperity, being
the voice of business, and enhancing quality of life. For more information
about the Greenville Chamber, please call 864-242-1050, or visit www.greenvillechamber.org.
CONTACT: Brian Gallagher, (864) 298-2037, bgallagher@onealinc.com
