Join PAL on Thanksgiving morning for an 8K before Thanksgiving Celebrations!
PAL: Play. Advocate. Live Well. is hosting the 18th Annual United Community Bank Turkey Day 8K, a community run/walk on Thanksgiving morning in downtown Spartanburg. Since 2005, this event has become a tradition that encourages residents and visitors to balance healthy lifestyles with holiday festivities! The race will begin at 7:30 am at the Love Where You Live Mural. The registration fee requires a $10 donation towards active living and healthy eating initiatives in Spartanburg County (If you are unable to pay the registration fee, contact Sophi Schwartzbauer at [email protected] for scholarship information). Please also bring a healthy canned good donation to benefit TOTAL Ministries. Click here to sign up for one of Spartanburg’s Thanksgiving traditions!
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.
PAL is spearheading an urban trail network throughout the Spartanburg community called the Dan or the Daniel Morgan Trail Network. This 55+ mile network is the physical link tying together economic development, tourism expansion, community and neighborhood improvements, environmental stewardship, and quality of place development.
PAL is working with Upstate Forever and Conserving Carolina to purchase the inactive Saluda Grade railroad corridor for a new approximately 31-mile rail trail. Similar to the popular Prisma Health Swamp Rabbit Trail or Virginia Creeper Trail, this rail trail will spur economic growth while providing new opportunities for outdoor recreation. The potential Saluda Grade rail trail will run from Inman, SC to Zirconia, NC. Approximately 16 miles of the line are located in South Carolina, while about 15 miles are in North Carolina. The route includes dramatic scenery along the Blue Ridge Escarpment and passes through historic downtowns in Saluda, Tryon, Landrum, and Inman. When active from 1878 to 2001, the line was renowned as the steepest standard gauge mainline railroad ever built in the United States. Sign up here for emails about Saluda Grade Trail updates and click here to learn more about the trail.
In addition to trail development, PAL built The RailYard Community Park which includes the Vic Bailey Subaru Park, and hosts the annual downtown Criterium and Turkey Day 8K. They also have many advocacy programs that encourage healthy eating, such as Eat Smart Move More Spartanburg, Food System Coalition, and school partnerships.
For Giving Tuesday, you can help create a happier & healthier Spartanburg for all by supporting PAL on November 29th! #BeourPAL and help turn $5,000 into $10,000 on that day with an online gift! Also, join PAL at FR8yard on November 29th from 5:30 pm – 9:00 pm as we celebrate Giving Tuesday with Spartanburg Gives & other local organizations! Come out and support over 30 local nonprofits, and enjoy drink specials and funky tunes from Queen’s Court Band. RSVP for free at spartanburggives.org.