News Summary
The City of Spartanburg is implementing temporary closures of sections of the River Birch Trail for essential repairs. From Wednesday to Friday, certain sections will be inaccessible, while another area will be closed until Saturday. The initiative aims to ensure the safety of this popular outdoor space for users. Meanwhile, the newly opened Glendale Nature Park, featuring 945 acres of hiking trails and wildlife habitats, invites public exploration, offering an exciting alternative during the trail repairs.
Spartanburg – The City of Spartanburg has announced temporary closures of parts of the River Birch Trail to facilitate much-needed repairs. The closures will begin on Wednesday morning and last until Friday morning for a section of the trail that runs from the parking area off Sydnor Road near McCracken Middle School to Heywood Avenue. Another section will be closed from the parking area off Sydnor Road to the first bridge near East Main Street, with these repairs scheduled to last through Saturday morning.
The closures are essential to allow maintenance crews to patch and repair sections of the trail, ensuring the safety and functionality of this popular outdoor space for residents and visitors alike. Cyclists, hikers, and runners are advised to plan their activities accordingly, as these areas will remain inaccessible during the designated time period.
In brighter news, the newly opened Glendale Nature Park is now accessible to the public. This expansive park encompasses 945 acres of undeveloped land, making it the largest tract of its kind near Spartanburg. The park features over three miles of hiking trails and is designed to protect more than five miles along Lawson’s Fork Creek and its tributaries, providing a rich habitat for local wildlife.
Glendale Nature Park is adjacent to the Glendale Shoals Nature Preserve and a parcel owned by the Tyger River Foundation, resulting in a total of approximately 1,200 acres of preserved forestland in the area. This initiative aligns with Spartanburg County’s strategic vision plan, which prioritizes land conservation and the safeguarding of community resources.
The land that is now Glendale Nature Park was previously at risk of being developed into a high-density neighborhood, with plans for nearly 1,000 homes on the site. To thwart these development plans, the Spartanburg Area Conservancy (SPACE) played a crucial role by facilitating a $25 million land purchase. This significant investment in land conservation was supported by multiple funding sources, including $20 million from the South Carolina Office of Resilience, $3 million from the State Conservation Bank, and $2 million from the Spartanburg County Conservation Bank.
Additionally, SPACE holds a conservation easement on the property, which will prevent any future development, preserving the natural landscape for the enjoyment of future generations. Local community leaders have expressed their gratitude towards the Milliken family, recognizing their pivotal contributions towards the preservation of this vital area.
Future developments within Glendale Nature Park will enhance its appeal and accessibility. Plans are in place for additional trails, including a connection to the DAN (Daniel Morgan Trail) system and a dedicated mountain bike trail. While construction for the mountain bike trail is not yet scheduled, the connection to the DAN trail could potentially start as soon as 2026.
Visitors can access the park from dawn to dusk, with entry points at Glendale Shoals and a parking lot located on Lewis Chapel Road. Local residents and outdoor enthusiasts are encouraged to explore the new park and appreciate the natural beauty it has to offer, while also being mindful of the trail closures in the coming days.
The city is committed to maintaining these green spaces in conjunction with repairing existing trails, further ensuring that Spartanburg remains a beautiful and environmentally conscious community.
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Additional Resources
- Fox Carolina: Spartanburg Trail Closures
- Wikipedia: Spartanburg, South Carolina
- Post and Courier: Glendale Nature Park
- Google Search: Glendale Nature Park
- Greenville Journal: Saluda Grade Rail Trail
- Google Scholar: Spartanburg South Carolina
- GoUpstate: Flood Advisory in Spartanburg
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Spartanburg South Carolina
- WSPA: Saluda Grade Trail Purchase
- Google News: Spartanburg
Author: STAFF HERE SPARTANBURG
The SPARTANBURG STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERESpartanburg.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Spartanburg, Spartanburg County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Spartanburg International Festival, Spartanburg ArtWalk, and motorsport events at Spartanburg Speedway. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Spartanburg Area Chamber of Commerce and the Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System Foundation, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and textiles that power the local economy such as BMW Manufacturing and Milliken & Company. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAiken.com, HEREBeaufort.com, HEREChapin.com, HERECharleston.com, HEREClinton.com, HEREColumbia.com, HEREGeorgetown.com, HEREGreenwood.com, HEREGreenville.com, HEREHiltonHead.com, HEREIrmo.com, HEREMyrtleBeach.com, HERENewberry.com, HERERockHill.com, and HERESpartanburg.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into South Carolina's dynamic landscape.
