Laurens County - The Laurens County Trails Association, in partnership with the Laurens County Chamber of Commerce, invites the public to attend the official ribbon-cutting ceremony and guided trail walk for the new May-White Trail, found at Laurens County Park on Industrial Park Road.
The event will take place on Wednesday, May 22, 2025, from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at the park pavilion, with a trail walk to follow.
The May-White Trail is named in honor of the rare May-White Azalea, first discovered in 1999 in the Broad River watershed by biologists Kathleen Kron and Michael Creel. Dr. Charles Horn of Newberry College has since identified this unique species in several South Carolina counties, including Laurens County.
The planting of the May-White Azalea along the trail is part of a broader conservation initiative to help protect the species as its native habitat continues to decline. Blooming in late spring, the azalea is recognized for its striking white blossoms with yellow centers and its sweet fragrance.
During the ceremony, Dr. Horn and other special guests will share the history and significance of the May-White Azalea and the trail project before officially cutting the ribbon to open the trail to the community.
“We are excited to welcome the Laurens County community to experience this beautiful new trail, which not only offers a scenic outdoor space but also helps raise awareness for native plant conservation,” said Dr. Bob Bryant, Chair, Board of Directors, Laurens County Trails Association.
The Laurens County community is invited to attend and enjoy light refreshments following the ceremony.
For more information about the event, please contact the Jamie Adair, Laurens County Trails Association at Jamiebatesadair@gmail.com.
PALMETTO TRAIL CELEBRATES NATIONAL TRAILS DAY WITH BIG NEWS
Celebration includes three guided hikes in the morning and Trail to Table dinner in the evening
Columbia - Palmetto Trail is joining the American Hiking Society for the nationwide celebration of National Trails Day on June 7, 2025, with an extra celebration of the newest House Resolution that proclaims “June 2025 as South Carolina Trails Month.” The nonprofit is hosting three regional guided hikes along the Palmetto Trail and annual Trail to Table dinner on the Peak to Prosperity Passage.
The SC General Assembly added to the celebration by adopting a resolution June 2025 as South Carolina Trails Month. The resolution encourages “residents to take advantage of the abundance of trails in this state and enjoy the countless health, learning, and social benefits that can be derived from their use.” Palmetto Trail is grateful for the support of so many legislators across the state.
All hikes will begin at 9:00 a.m. at the designated GPS coordinates that can be found on the American Hiking Society website. Each hike will take place in a different region of South Carolina, guided by its corresponding regional Trail Coordinator. For more information and to register for one of the hikes, visit https://americanhiking.org/national-trails-day/find-an-event/
Upstate Trail Coordinator Rob Achenberg expressed his excitement, saying “we’re looking forward to the hike on our Oconee Passage. We usually have about 20 people come out and it’s a great time. We’re hiking down to see Station Cove Falls which is always a favorite.”
National Trails Day is a nationally recognized awareness campaign introduced by American Hiking Society to bring together communities to appreciate and celebrate giving back to the trail.
Palmetto Trail is dedicated to fostering an appreciation for South Carolina’s natural and cultural resources by providing opportunities for active recreation on the Palmetto Trail and other trail systems that can be enjoyed by all. Palmetto Trail, the state’s largest and best-known trail, is one of only 16 cross-state trails in the country. It terminates at the Intercoastal Waterway in Charleston County and in the Blue Ridge Mountains in Oconee County.
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