News Summary
Rachel’s Bridge, located in the Edwin M. Griffin Nature Preserve, has officially reopened following $75,000 in repairs after flooding in March 2025. The bridge, dedicated to former Milliken horticulturist Rachel Ruff, connects the preserve to local residences. Flooding from Hurricane Helene caused significant structural damage, necessitating a comprehensive assessment and repairs. The Spartanburg Area Conservancy is raising funds for ongoing enhancements. The bridge celebrated its reopening on April 16, 2025, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony planned on May 16.
Spartanburg – Rachel’s Bridge in the Edwin M. Griffin Nature Preserve has officially reopened following extensive repairs costing $75,000, necessitated by severe flooding in March 2025. The bridge, dedicated to the memory of former Milliken horticulturist Rachel Ruff, connects the nature preserve to nearby residences along Woodburn Road.
Flooding caused by heavy rains in March nearly washed away the bridge, which had been closed for six weeks for repairs. Before this incident, Rachel’s Bridge had been temporarily shut down due to worn-out planks on the walkway. Recently, it was determined that the damage incurred during the floods required a comprehensive structural assessment by engineers.
The flooding, exacerbated by Hurricane Helene, saw the creek’s water level rise to four times its normal capacity, leading to soil erosion around the bridge’s foundation and causing significant structural concerns. The repairs addressed these issues by stabilizing the bridge structure through the installation of two steel piles driven 20 feet deep, reinforced with a concrete cap. Community First Developers were contracted for these repairs.
The Spartanburg Area Conservancy (SPACE) had not initially budgeted for these unforeseen repair costs. However, they are now actively raising funds specifically for Rachel’s Bridge. Additionally, the organization had previously received a grant from Women Giving for Spartanburg to replace the bridge deck, awarded just three days before Hurricane Helene struck.
Rachel’s Bridge, first opened in the 1990s, has remained in operation with minimal renovations since its dedication in 2012. As part of ongoing enhancements, SPACE has also undertaken ecological upgrades within the preserve. The total visitation to the nature preserve has exceeded 140,000 within the past year, highlighting its significance as a community resource.
Following the floods, volunteers engaged in cleanup efforts that took weeks to clear the preserve of debris. New signage and kiosks have been installed, supported by city grant funds, to improve visitor information and navigation throughout the preserve. Recent ecological efforts have included the removal of dead trees and invasive plant species, with about 50 new trees, including Oak and Cyprus, planted within the area, assisted by funding from state forestry commissions.
Rachel’s Bridge officially reopened to the public on April 16, 2025. To celebrate the repairs and enhancements throughout the preserve, a ribbon-cutting ceremony is scheduled for May 16, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. Parking for the event will be available at 1085 Woodburn Road.
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Additional Resources
- Post and Courier: Spartanburg Nature Preserve Bridge Damage
- GoUpstate: New Paved Trail and Bridges at Cottonwood Trail
- GoUpstate: Man Dies After Veering Off Road
- Wikipedia: Spartanburg
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Spartanburg
Author: STAFF HERE SPARTANBURG
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