Greenville, S.C. Bounces Back After Storm Damage
A Community Comes Together
In the wake of strong winds that swept through Greenville, South Carolina, the community has shown an amazing spirit of cooperation and determination to restore their beloved parks and trails. With trees and debris littering roads and pathways, both city and county crews have been working around the clock to get things cleaned up. Volunteers, local residents, and even some state crews have jumped in to do their part.
Finding Strength in Numbers
Mary McGowen, the Board Chair of a local nonprofit advocacy group, has been absolutely touched by the response from the community. “It’s kind of hard to express how many trees we saw down on the Swamp Rabbit Trail,” she said. Her organization is dedicated to promoting safe and active transportation, and since the storm hit, they’ve mobilized over 100 volunteers to help with the cleanup effort.
Mary noted, “We saw people from all backgrounds, all different ages and levels of ability. Everybody wanted to get involved and lend a hand, and that was just really powerful.” From individuals simply grabbing rakes to experienced arborists armed with chainsaws, the variety of skills has brought the community together in a really special way.
Where Are They Focusing Their Efforts?
Volunteers have targeted several local locations, including the Swamp Rabbit Trail, Verner Springs Park, and the Berea Elementary Nature Trail. Even parts around Furman University are getting some attention. Thanks to these collective efforts, what could have taken months to clean up is now being accomplished in a matter of weeks. “With crews trying to do this work on their own, it would have taken longer,” Mary added.
State Parks in Jeopardy
The storm didn’t just impact local trails—11 out of the 30 state parks were hit hard and are still closed. Popular spots like Paris Mountain and Jones Gap are facing significant cleanup challenges. Duane Parrish, the Director of SC Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism, remarked, “I haven’t seen anything like this since Hurricane Hugo back in 1989 in terms of damage.”
He pointed out that it’s not just about messy trails; the storm left broken bridges and closed roads in its wake, not to mention mudslides that covered up planned camping sites. “I was in Jones Gap today, and I saw what were 2 camping sites that are now covered up by rocks that are larger than I am,” he said.
Local and State Cooperation
Fortunately, help is on the way. The state has enlisted the help of the National Guard and additional park crews to assist with cleanup efforts. “Manpower and equipment power, if we have enough of that at hand, we should be able to get these things cleaned up as quickly as possible,” Duane noted.
Looking Ahead
In addition to their chosen locations, Bike Walk Greenville is getting ready to tackle Northside Park, several areas in Travelers Rest, and sidewalks near schools. If you’re a resident concerned about a local area, they encourage you to check out their Facebook Page. You can send them concerns about safety or even sign up to volunteer.
The message is clear: Greenville is a community that pulls together in tough times. Whether you’re helping out with a rake, a chainsaw, or simply showing your support, every little bit counts as the city works hard to recover from the storm.
