Calhoun Falls State Recreation Area
Richard B. Russell Dam and Overlook
SC Heritage Corridor
5k Run – The Calhoun Falls State Park and Recreation Area on Highway 81 will be the course for a 5k and fun run November 18, 2007, sponsored by the Calhoun Falls Chamber of Commerce.
"Fall in the Falls" Outdoor Sportsmans Festival – A Remington 700, 30-06 with Bushnel Scope will be given away at the "Fall for the Falls" Outdooor Sportsmans Festival on November 17 at Calhoun Falls High School. Tickets are availabe for $2 each or three for $5 at various businesses. You don't have to be present to win. However, you must be present to win a variety of door prizes to be given away throughout the day from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Admission is free. Sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce.
Rails to Trails – An effort to implement a seven-year-old proposal to convert 30 miles of railbed to a trail linking three state parks in two counties was launched Thursday, November 8, when state and local supporters met in Columbia to discuss how to get started.
Ken Driggers, director of the The Palmetto Conservation Foundation, the organization that drafted the proposal in 2000, said that the appeal of creating the "Rails-to-Trails" project is that it connects three state parks (Calhoun Falls, Hickory Knob and Baker Creek) in two counties (Abbeville and McCormick) that have an economic need and are naturally scenic. Portions of the trails would be near lakes Russell and Thurmond. Questions about property ownership, tressel safety, funding, and operation and management have to be answered.
The next step is for Driggers to create a "to-do" list for supporters. A committee will be organized at the first of the year to begin work on the list and pursue the project. Anyone wishing to serve on the committee (a lot of work is going to be required) or be a volunteer to help with specific duties should contact Lee Boggs, info@calhounfallstoday.com.
What is a rail trail and how do I get one in my community? The answers to these and many more questions can be found in the Palmetto Foundation Conservation's new e-book, A Citizen's Guide to Rail Trail Conversion. Did you know that in America, there are over 150,000 miles of abandoned and unused railroad tracks with an additional 3000 abandoned each year? The guide explains the history and benefits of rail-to-trail conversions in South Carolina and the law on abandonment and railbanking.
Horseback Riding – Ten miles of equestrian trails are located at nearby McCalla, a property managed through Calhoun Falls State Recreation Area. Also, Tri S Ranch is located in Calhoun Falls. Tri S Ranch Horse Trails account for 20 percent of all the horse riding trails in South Carolin's trail riding system.