Greenville Health System Swamp Rabbit Hoppenings
April 13, 2016
1006 people have already attended our virtual public meeting about our efforts to begin extending the GHS Swamp Rabbit Trail East through the communities of Poe Mill, Brutontown, New Washington Heights and North Main.
- Of those 1006 – 253 took the extra effort to give the project the “Thumbs Up”, no one gave it a “Thumbs Down”, and then 69 even went as far as to write some great comments! Thank You.
- Even more incredibly, $1,170 was donated in an effort to show the grant reviewers that GHS Swamp Rabbit Fans willingly give money as a show of support.
- So, now our application is down there in Columbia with 58 other applications being reviewed. You can still show the reviewers your support by clicking the link above or making a donation here or texting swamprabbit to 41444.
- We hope to hear about the grant from SC PRT in June. Keep those fingers crossed until then. Thank you is an understatement. This is the start of our goal of building the GHS Swamp Rabbit Trail network to Greer.
In addition to building new trail, we are working and investigating innovative ways to repair and maintain our GHS Swamp Rabbit.
- After unsuccessfully trying to find contractors to work on the edges of the trail between West Blue Ridge Dr and Sulphur Springs Rd, our small 4 man trail crew decided to tackle the job. Hopefully you have noticed the beautiful work they did at extending drainage pipes and shoulders of the trail to 5’ plus. Incredible work guys, thanks!
- On March 7th, Kurt from K&M International and Llyod and Scott from Public Works Equipment and Supply met us on the trail near Grandview Cemetery to show us how an Infrared Asphalt Heater allows you to remove bumps in the trail while never having to close the trail because of big trucks blocking the trail. George Varn posted some great pics of the day on his Facebook account. We are now in the process of buying the needed equipment so we can do trail repairs year round again with our passionate trail crew.
The USA Cycling National Championships are coming up and will once again be hosted in Greenville April 16th and 17th. You can come spectate or you can be a hero and volunteer while you spectate. Sign up here.
In the near future we will be coming out with the third edition of the Carrot Guide, our guide to communities and great food up and down the GHS Swamp Rabbit Trail. If you are already in the guide, help us out by letting us know if your info is still current, if you want to be in the guide let us know, if you’d like a chance at the limited ad space in this popular wayfinding guide also let us know.
As more community space and pocket parks pop up on the trail, more opportunities for local food trucks and vendors are created. In order to provide opportunity for creating community and supporting local entrepreneurship we have posted this Request for Proposals.
May is when the live music cranks up at Trailblazer Park in Travelers Rest. Check out the line-up here. Ride your bike to get there. Have a Swamp Rabbit Sushi Roll at Sushi Yama when you are there up there in TR.
There is a new entrance to the lake at Furman!!!!! The university has flung out their welcoming arms wide. Thank you Furman for this dramatic improvement and thank you for making it wide enough to accommodate the turnaround needs of handcyclists and trike recumbents.
Close to the GHS Swamp Rabbit but not quiet on it yet, the Hubbell Lighting parking lot with be the site of the Adaptive Cycle Clinic April 30th. This free event (but registration is required) will prove to you that there is a bike for every person of any ability. Do you have a family member that can no longer ride a traditional bike or have you been curious what is feels like to ride a handcycle, then this is a great event for you!
Want to live inside Pleasant Ridge County Park this summer. Check out our summer job list.
Sign up for what started it all, the GHS Swamp Rabbit 5k, May 6th in Travelers Rest. The cool, comfy shirt alone is worth the $6 entry fee alone and the after party reminds you of how good life is in the Upstate of SC. Don’t delay because on April 30th the fee goes up to $15. Bike there to avoid the hassle of finding a parking spot.
While we are talking about Travelers Rest, the season of short track races at Gateway Park is underway. Races for all ages and abilities. A great way to work up a sweat than grab a Swamp Rabbit Club Sandwich on the rooftop patio at the Whistle Stop at American Café.
The community of Berea is putting together a great slate of activities at Swamp Rabbit Station starting with an art show on the trail April 17th from 12-4. Get all the details and upcoming events here.
Still looking for camps for the kids this summer? How about our Mountain Bike Camp? We’ll ride at Gateway Park, Issaquena, DuPont, Paris Mountain, and Pleasant Ridge then to cool off we’ll hit one of our water parks. New this year, will be an introduction to the sport of cyclocross. Sign ‘em up here.
While you can still order a t-shirt, jersey or socks on-line, if you want to carry our trademarked gear at your store we are happy to give you the items on consignment. Just let me know.
