Palmetto Trail extension work to start

Walhalla City Council received details last night on plans to make its downtown area the new terminus for the statewide Palmetto Trail.  Representing the Palmetto Conservation Foundation, Natalie Britt told the mayor and council that the start of construction will take place at Stumphouse Tunnel Park on property owned by the city.  Britt predicted you can expect the trail for hikers and bikers will take on characteristics of the popular riding trail in North Carolina’s Pisgah National Forest.  She said there is already excitement being generated by hikers toward the second phase of the trail extension—the creation of the new terminus at Walhalla’s Kaufman Square—the home of the community depot and grounds.  Her appearance last night elicited agreement among the city leaders to commit up to a $20 thousand supplement—much of it to be in-kind—toward a $100 thousand grant for which Palmetto Conservation will apply to help pay for the trail extension.