City Editor Kyle here. I should’ve known when I asked Ty Houck, Director of Greenways, Natural & Historic Resources for Greenville County Parks, Recreation & Tourism, to sit down for an interview, he had other plans in mind. We honored National Bike Month and took to his area of expertise, by bike: the Prisma Health Swamp Rabbit Trail.
After grabbing e-bikes at Pedego in Hampton Station, we rode the Green Line to Travelers Rest. Here are 10 questions we cycled through.
Q: If you could compare the SRT to a similar trail system, which would you choose + why?
That’s a tough one because I haven’t yet had the chance to go to all the trails on my list — a list that continues to grow. The SRT is about socially + physically connecting community. Trails that connect downtowns and other destinations with a history, such as old warehouses and mills, bring an energy akin to the Swamp Rabbit. Trails where you can decide to ride your bike to dinner or go buy tchotchkes are the trails that I am drawn to because they are about community transportation.
Q: What’s been your proudest accomplishment in your role?
Feeling the fruits of all our labors to enhance access to public space. I’m reminded of our many accomplishments when I see smiling kids walking with energetic teachers through Conestee Nature Preserve. When I hear how simple physical exercise helped someone’s mental + physical health. When I see young adults building their sense of independence and confidence by riding trails for fun and to their jobs.
Q: Who are two to three other local leaders you’re inspired by?
- Frank Mansbach with Bike Walk Greenville – I enjoy his New England temperament and dialect. He is an aggressive advocate yet willing to listen. He set the new standard for public/private partnerships with the Lakeview Link.
- Carlton Owen, with his Darth Vader-like baritone voice. He is a tenacious community leader that was instrumental in helping others see the vision of the Swamp Rabbit Trail. He also doesn’t have patience for people that complain about a problem, then desiderate from their soap box, but then say they don’t have the time to take action.
- I am a big fan of the book “Walkable City Rules: 101 Steps to Making Better Places.” Dianna Gracely was implementing so many of those steps, even before the book was written when she was the City Administrator for Travelers Rest. Dianna and I spent a lot of time doing “community roadshows” when the Green Line of the Swamp Rabbit opened. We spent many miles in cars together and I always left energized from her creative problem solving spiced with her Louisiana style. I now enjoy watching what she and the leadership in Simpsonville are doing to strengthen the sense of community there.
Q: And what about other movers + shakers you’re watching?
- Bike Walk Greenville
- Moms For Motion
- UGATA
- Dirt Skirts
- Rockey Burgess (Mayor of Williamston)
Q: Besides the Green Line extension, what are the biggest projects on your plate?
From a trail networking standpoint, the expansion of the Orange Line and getting up to Slater-Marietta. We’re on track to add another five to six miles this year. From a historic resources standpoint, we’re restoring Campbells Covered Bridge to its original style from the early 1900s, complete with a shake-shingle roof. When it comes to natural resources, we’re working on adding more access to the Saluda River.
Q: What do you hope the SRT will be like 20 years from now?
More of the same. More towns connected. More people making the decision to live here because of the opportunities the trail network provides. More hometown businesses using the Swamp Rabbit as their county-wide main street. More opportunities for the haves and the have-nots to interact and simply realize they are kind neighbors. More chances for people that are unable to drive to have more moments when they are in the community and not on the edges of it.
Q: Describe your perfect day in Greenville.
Sunny day after a full moon, mid 70’s, on the bike for a trail inspection, checking in with crew, meeting people like “Mr. Bo,” who moved here because of the SRT. Kids have a great day at school then jump on bikes to go visit friends. Meeting other families at airplane in Cleveland Park to pedal to pizza at Barley’s.
Q: You can only choose one local restaurant menu to bring with you to a deserted island — which one is it and why?
White Duck Taco. (With me on a deserted island I can make my own Oyster Po Boy’s, which they quit having on their seasonal menu a few years ago. Yes, this is meant to put public pressure back on you, Dan and Richard). Now if our kids are stuck on that island with us it would be Tako Sushi. Erin and I like to bike there and our son Graham likes it so much it was his homecoming dinner choice. Then they walked to the dance from there. I didn’t say Automatic Taco because you said menu and Nick free-styles something for me whenever I stop in.
Q: What are three things every Greenvillian should know about?
- That Furman University used to be in downtown Greenville.
- The lakes at Paris Mountain State Park were originally the watershed for drinking water for Greenville.
- The Upstate has more open space per capita than the national average.
Q: What do you think Greenville will be known for in 10 years?
I graduated from Furman in 1993 then moved back to Greenville County in 2001. I expect Greenville County to continue to be discovered by people as I have seen it happen for the last 20 years. So, in 10 years I just expect more people to know what we already know about Greenville. You feel welcome when you get here. There is opportunity to grow. There are people willing to help, and there is ample access to open space so your soul can stay charged.
