Ground broken on Palmetto Trail at Stumphouse Mountain

Key partners ceremoniously turned the first shovels of sod today to begin construction at Stumphouse Tunnel Park on a state-of-the-art mountain biking trail system anchored by the Palmetto Trail. The key partners are Palmetto Conservation Foundation (PCF), which is building the mountains-to-sea Palmetto Trail across South Carolina; the City of Walhalla, which owns Stumphouse Tunnel Park; and the Oconee County Chamber of Commerce, which is working with city, county and state leaders to stimulate tourism and economic development. Stumphouse Tunnel Park is located off SC Highway 28 about seven miles north of Walhalla. Clemson University owns historic Stumphouse Tunnel, which abuts the new mountain bike park. Walhalla Mayor Danny Edwards is “excited about the work that is being done to bring the Palmetto Trail and a mountain biking park to the Stumphouse Tunnel Park.” “This has been a wonderful collaborative effort across so many different groups; the City, the Chamber of Commerce, Oconee PRT and CVB, U.S. Forestry Service, State Park Service, State Department of Natural Resources, Walhalla Partners for Progress and Palmetto Conservation Foundation. A project like this could not be accomplished without the work and cooperation of so many different agencies and organizations. We are so appreciative of everyone’s efforts and look forward to all the new opportunities for economic development and growth this will provide the area,” the mayor said. The Palmetto Trail and mountain bike trail system at Stumphouse Tunnel Park is the first section of a planned 12-mile extension of the Trail from Oconee Station State Historic Site into downtown Walhalla. The Trail stretches from Walhalla across 14 counties to Awendaw on the Intracoastal Waterway. About 370 miles of the 500-mile Trail have been completed. All passages are open for hiking, and some accommodate mountain biking and other active recreation. “We are thrilled to break ground at Stumphouse Tunnel Park on a new passage of the Palmetto Trail and a much-needed destination for mountain biking in the upstate,” PCF Executive Director Natalie Britt said. “We are grateful for the many incredible partners who support the project and are dedicated to its success,” Britt said. Additional partners to the mayor’s list include Upstate Forever, and the hiking and mountain biking communities. The project has received funding from the City of Walhalla, the federal Recreational Trails Program, the National Heritage Corridor, Recreational Equipment Inc., Cox Industries, and Palmetto Conservation Foundation. Professional trail builder Benchmark Trails, Inc. of Greenville will begin construction in December on phase one of the trail system. The Palmetto Trail will serve as the spine connecting mountain bike trails that will inspire beginners and challenge experienced riders. Completion of phase one is planned for late March, weather permitting. The new trail system will enhance the park’s current hiking trails. Palmetto Conservation Foundation is a statewide nonprofit organization, founded in 1989, whose mission is to conserve South Carolina’s natural and cultural resources, preserve historic landmarks, and promote active outdoor recreation. PCF’s largest and best-known project is the Palmetto Trail. For more information, visit www.palmettoconservation.org.