How a master plan brought the Swamp Rabbit Trail to life

As the Swamp Rabbit Trail continues its growth across our city (and beyond), we’re looking back at the master plan that started it all.

GVLtoday Swamp Rabbit Trail

It’s hard to imagine Greenville without the trail. | Photo by The City of Greenville

It’s been 18 years since Greenvillians first came together to provide public comment on a plan to build a trail system throughout Greenville — and beyond. That input led to a 2007 Master Plan proposing a hub-and-spoke model connecting neighborhoods, schools, parks, and major job centers.

We dug through the plan and found the trail we know (and love) today mostly aligns with the Master Plan from nearly two decades ago.

GVL_Swamp_Rabbit_Trail_Master_Plan_JULY2025

Compare the master plan vs. the current map of the Swamp Rabbit Trail. | Maps by the City of Greenville

Here’s the status of the five proposed greenways from that document:

Reedy River Greenway

Proposal: The north–south “spine” of the trail was envisioned to link Travelers Rest and Simpsonville to downtown via the CSX Trail, Reedy River Trail, and Downtown Connector.

This has been largely implemented: It encompasses the northern half of the Green Line and the Blue Line. The Swamp Rabbit Trail runs to Travelers Rest, with connections south toward Lake Conestee.

Brushy Creek Greenway

Proposal: A downtown-to-southwest corridor connecting Mills Mill, St. Francis Hospital, and the baseball stadium, with future links to Anderson

Still unbuilt

Richland Greenway

Proposal: To connect downtown to Bob Jones University, Timmons Park, and Paris Mountain with an on-street tie-in

Still unbuilt

Gateway Greenway

Proposal: An east–west route aimed at linking downtown with Roper Mountain Science Center, the Carolina First Center, and ultimately Greer and Spartanburg

Still unbuilt

Proposal: To follow Laurel Creek and an old rail line, connecting downtown to University Center, Pleasantburg, Verdae, ICAR, and beyond to Mauldin

This has been partially implemented: In 2020, the City of Greenville unveiled the Swamp Rabbit Trail Extension Master Plan + Swamp Rabbit Trail Extension Design Guidelines. This helped guide the Green Line extension. to Verdae + CU-ICAR. The southern half of the Green Line now reaches Verdae, with plans to build a new pedestrian bridge — detailed below.

What’s next?

Here’s what’s coming down the pipeline for trail expansion in the City of Greenville:

GVL_Verdae_Pedestrian_Bridge_JULY2025

Construction begins Monday, Aug. 4. | Rendering via the City of Greenville

Verdae Bridge | Expected fall 2026
Construction on the long‑planned pedestrian bridge begins soon, replacing a busy street crossing, improving safety for the 1,000+ daily Green Line users, and paving the way for future expansion into Mauldin.

Orange Line Extension | Study wrapping 2025
The proposed North Main Connector will link near Worley Road and Other Lands Brewing, follow Graves Drive, continue down North Main to Gallivan Street, and finish at the Stones Point development near Community Tap and the Harris Teeter grocery store on Wade Hampton Boulevard.

The City of Greenville picked the route after collecting feedback from 860+ community members via public meetings, surveys, and other outreach.

A final public input meeting will be held later this year before the project moves to the engineering phase.
Sans Souci Connector | Construction starting early 2026
This ~2.2‑mile shared‑use trail extension will feature e‑bike charging stations.
Neighborhood Spurs
New connectors are in the works to link Nicholtown, Gower, and Verdae directly to the Green Line Extension along Laurens Road, using safer crossings and new pathways where possible.
Cleveland Park Pedestrian Bridge
A new pedestrian bridge will connect the Greenville Zoo parking lot directly to the Richland Way underpass, creating a safer, more direct Green Line route.

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