After the Storm

Downtown SpartanburgSpartanburg CountyLocal Business

Feb 26

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Weeks after February 6th's EF-1 tornado and ensuing rainfall, the Spartanburg community continues to rebuild, including the trail systems and green-spaces afflicted.Community clean-ups organized by Spartanburg Area Conservancy and Partners for Active Living are working to remove fallen trees, clear pathways, and comb debris from waterways.On the Cottonwood Trail specifically, 10% of the trail system's total tree count was lost-- 50% of the Highlands Trail foliage. Severe damage was also sustained by bank erosion and sand left from the flooded Lawson's Fork Creek.Partners for Active Living's River Birch Trail, which connects to the Cottonwood at Sydnor Drive, was also affected, although less by flooding erosion. Most of its uprooted trees fell away from the paved trail. City workers have been diligent in both clearing trees and reinforcing the banks.“The Cottonwood Trail property did its job in this storm,” Clay McDonough, Director of Special Projects at SPACE, said. “It’s in a floodplain and provides a buffer for the neighborhoods, this huge natural buffer. If the Cottonwood Trail System, the preserve, weren’t here, if we didn’t conserve this land, many more houses would have flooded.”The Cottonwood's Boardwalk is currently under restoration, and staff is thankful that none of the newly constructed boardwalk sections were damaged. Estimated total repair costs from the storm will be added to SPACE's ongoing Cottonwood Restoration Campaign.

Boardwalk photo via GoUpstate.com

On February 22nd, SPACE and community volunteers worked to even the trail tread on the Cottonwood Trail and clear debris from the boardwalk, wetlands, trails, and bridges. The Cottonwood Trail is now REOPEN to the public.