PAL: Play. Advocate. Live Well.

Play. Advocate. Live Well. 

THE FASTEST NIGHT IN SPARTANBURG IS HERE…PRESENTED BY PAL 

The Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System Criterium Race is back and kicking off Spring Fling on April 22nd in downtown Spartanburg. A closed-circuit, multi-lap cycling race planned by PAL: Play. Advocate. Live Well. This race is  known for its open-air plaza center, dangerously sharp left turns and unique atmosphere! This bike race puts a sweet southern SPIN on the traditional tailgate and turns the heart of the city into a one of a kind block party. 

Bring your friends and load up your tailgating gear to watch cyclists race around the half-mile downtown course. The Crit consists of 6 bike races, 4 amateur and 2 professional and one professional foot race. Click here to see the full schedule.

YOUR CHANCE TO WIN BIG AND SUPPORT PAL 

The PAL 50/50 Raffle is back at the CRIT this year and entries are now open through Venmo until April 22nd – whether you come to the Crit or not! One lucky winner will win 50% of the final total and the remaining 50% of the proceeds will go back to PAL to help serve our Spartanburg community. It’s a win-win for everyone!!! To donate at the Crit, stop by the information station at Liberty and Broad with cash or credit card. Entries are $10 each, the more you donate, the more chances to win at palspartanburg.org. 

MORE ABOUT PAL 

PAL: Play. Advocate. Live Well. (formerly Partners for Active Living), improves health and wellness throughout Spartanburg County by creating an environment and culture that fosters physical activity and healthy eating.  By utilizing vast natural green areas and trails, walking/biking through neighborhoods, playing outdoors, and sharing healthy meals, PAL makes healthy living fun and easy while embracing our wonderful quality of life. 

Giving to PAL is investing in your Spartanburg community. Every donation makes a difference and allows PAL to continue innovative health and wellness projects that are little or no cost to Spartanburg families. You can support PAL by giving online, sending them a check, or donating a used vehicle. Donate now for a healthy, vibrant, and connected Spartanburg!

TRAIL DEVELOPMENT AROUND TOWN 

The construction of the next phase of the Mary Black Rail Trail began at the beginning of this week to extend the trail from its current terminus near the intersection of Union and E Henry streets through Downtown Spartanburg and into Barnet Park. From Union Street, the trail will be routed west along E Kennedy Street to its intersection with S Converse Street, following that street north past Denny’s tower and onto the rail trail’s new terminus at Barnet Park. As part of the $2 million trail extension’s construction, Union and E Kennedy streets will be reduced to two lanes and Converse Street will be reduced to one lane in order to create Spartanburg’s first-ever protected bike lane and allow rail trail users a safer route into Downtown Spartanburg. Construction of the Mary Black Rail Trail Extension is expected to last throughout summer, so click here to stay updated about updates on the trail’s progress. 

VIC BAILEY SUBARU BIKE PARK ADDITIONS 

PAL has also recently launched their new Perimeter Trail at the Vic Bailey Subaru Bike Park! The new addition is a half-mile loop of hand-built cross country mountain bike trail that can be ridden in either direction based on the days of the week. It is accessible to all ability levels and aims to provide a fun, flowy trail riding experience that gives everyone in the family a riding option when they come to the bike park. Learn more about The Dan, the Vic Bailey Subaru Bike Park, and the locations of their other trails. 

In partnership with the Spartanburg County government, PAL spearheaded and received a $23.8 million federal grant for almost 15 new miles of trails along the Fairforest Creek and a pedestrian and bicycle bridge over Highway 295! 

This will propel trail development forward after an already ambitious year that saw the River Birch trail extended along the Lawson’s Fork Creek past the Milliken Bridge up to East Main Street, two bridges installed over the Fairforest and Holston Creeks on Vanderbilt Road as part of the Three Creeks Trail and ramps being built up to the Drayton bridge to connect the trail into Beaumont. 

Learn more about The Dan and the locations of where you can explore their trails.