Spanish Moss Trail

The Growing Journey

story by JEANNE REYNOLDS
photos by RICHARD STEINBERGER
trail photos courtesy of FRIENDS OF THE SPANISH MOSS TRAIL

You might catch a few glimpses of it as you drive into or around Beaufort — alongside Highway 21 near the Marine Corps Air Station, or just before the highway morphs into Boundary Street, or maybe crossing Robert Smalls Parkway — but most of its current 10-mile length winds out of sight along breathtaking marshes and creeks, and through quiet neighborhoods in northern Beaufort County.

But despite its often-hidden nature, the Spanish Moss Trail is no secret. In fact, it’s one of the area’s most popular recreational experiences. More than 100,000 residents and visitors walk and bike portions of the 12-foot-wide concrete path through neighborhoods, salt creeks, nature preserves, cultural features, and historic sites each year. And soon, that experience is about to expand, thanks to two long-awaited major connection points opening early this year.

TAKING THE FIRST STEPS
The Spanish Moss Trail’s journey began more than 15 years ago when Dean Moss, then general manager of the Beaufort-Jasper Water & Sewer Authority, drove that organization’s effort to acquire the right-of-way for the historic Magnolia Rail Line to use as a utility corridor. Shortly thereafter, BJWSA granted (“gave” might be a more accurate term for the 99-year agreement for a whopping $1) a surface easement to Beaufort County to own and develop 16 miles of the corridor as a public-access recreational trail.

Those who don’t know Dean might marvel at this extraordinary gesture, but it likely didn’t surprise those who know he’s spent his professional career and subsequent active retirement working with water and land conservation activities, including the Port Royal Sound Foundation and Open Land Trust. They’ve also seen firsthand his passion for leading the Friends of the Spanish Moss Trail, whose mission is to connect neighborhoods and conserve our unique water and nature preserves, cultural features, and historic sites for the enjoyment of those who live in and visit the Lowcountry.

“I love this community,” Dean says. “I’ve been a part of it for 40 years. I’ve been interfacing with local and state politics all my life, so I’m uniquely qualified to deal with all the different forces, people, and entities that need to come together to make big projects happen.”

And so the Spanish Moss Trail was born — but that was only the start. The work to bring the Trail into existence has involved a large and dynamic collaboration between the PATH Foundation of Atlanta, Beaufort County, the City of Beaufort, and the Town of Port Royal. Dean founded the Friends of the Spanish Moss Trail in 2012 to bring the Trail to life through county, municipal, and community partnerships that advocate for the Trail’s development, enhancement, and maintenance.

The Friends is one of the financially leanest nonprofits in the state, Dean says. The organization also has maintained a great deal of stability because it has one of the hardest-working boards in the community, adds Sissy Perryman, the nonprofit’s director of advancement and only professional paid staff member. “Some of our board members have been serving with us since the beginning, bringing historical context to our conversations, while others who’ve joined in the past several years have brought new ideas, expertise, and energy.”

GARNERING NATIONAL RECOGNITION
The Spanish Moss Trail continues to capture the attention of travelers as one of the best trails to visit in the country. The newest accolades include recognition by the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation as a Kids in Parks TRACK Trail, a nationwide designation funded in South Carolina by the BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina Foundation. The TRACK Trail will formally open at the Depot Trailhead early this year with a large kiosk and children’s activities along a 1.8-mile out-and-back section.

“Starting at this popular trailhead, families can enjoy the StoryWalk provided by the Friends of the Beaufort Library and Beaufort County Library, grab a book at the Pat Conroy Literary Center’s new Little Library for kids, skip through the Depot Building, and start their adventure toward the fishing pier,” Sissy says.

This Kids in Parks program also will include four activity brochures to help kids and families learn about the importance of our maritime ecosystem, identify birds they might see along the way, and participate in interactive adventures.

MORE BIG STEPS FORWARD
The Kids in Parks program isn’t the only grand opening in store for the Spanish Moss Trail early this year. Two active Beaufort County construction projects will extend the Trail into the Town of Port Royal and create a formal connection between the Depot Trailhead and downtown Beaufort. The pair of long-awaited projects will enhance the connection between the Trail and two historic areas that offer shopping, dining, and beautiful waterfronts, Sissy says. “These are the biggest connection points into the heart of our community.”

“Both of these new paths will move Trail users across Ribaut Road with a dedicated pedestrian crossing light,” explains Joe DeVito, Friends of the Spanish Moss Trail board chair. “It gives us a lot of energy to have so much community support, and we’ll continue advocating for the planning and implementation of the Trail’s full master plan.”

That master plan will eventually expand the Trail to a 16-mile path between the scenic Sands Beach in Port Royal and the Whale Branch River in Seabrook.

“Ten miles of the planned 16 have been built, so there’s still a long way to go,” Sissy points out. But the work is paying off. “More than a quarter of those enjoying the Spanish Moss Trail are visitors to the area, helping fuel the economy. This is a big deal, and has been an intentional strategy by our nonprofit for more than a decade.”

“As the Trail has grown, it’s attracting all kinds of people,” Dean says. “Some are moving closer to the Trail to use it as an everyday amenity, and travelers are coming from all over as avid cyclists, coastal wildlife enthusiasts, historians, bird watchers, and families looking for outdoor adventure. We’re proud of its progress and collective support, and we’re focused on its future.”

Learn more or support the Spanish Moss Trail at www.SpanishMossTrail.com or contact the Friends of the Spanish Moss Trail at info@spanishmosstrail.com.

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
• The Spanish Moss Trail is open from dawn to dusk.
• The Trail is multiuse for walking, running, cycling, wildlife viewing, and fishing.
• Pets are welcome on a leash, and pet waste stations are available.
• No motorized vehicles are allowed, but pedal-assist class 1 e-bikes (without a throttle) and motorized wheelchairs are welcome.
• Parking is available at six trailheads, including Clarendon Road, Roseida Road, Beaufort Plaza, Depot Road, Broome Lane, and Westvine Drive.
• Restroom facilities are available at the Broome Lane Trailhead, Depot Road Trailhead, and several businesses near Trail access areas.
• Fishing is available at designated trestles.
• Download the free mobile app: The Spanish Moss Trail Mobile Guide.

Who’s Who on the Friends of the Spanish Moss Trail Staff and Board of Directors
Meet the staff and members of the “hardest working nonprofit board in the community”

Dean Moss — Founder and Volunteer Executive Director
• Retired general manager of Beaufort-Jasper Water & Sewer Authority
• Founded the Friends of the Spanish Moss Trail in 2012 to facilitate county, municipal, and community partnerships and to advocate for the Trail’s development, enhancement, and maintenance
• Professional career and active retirement focused on water and land conservation activities

Sissy Perryman — Director of Advancement
• Public awareness and fundraising consultant for nearly 30 years
• Joined the nonprofit in 2013 as its only paid professional staff member
• Leads day-to-day operations; monitors overall Trail experience; serves as media liaison; implements local, regional, and national collaborations; manages capital grants and community fundraising; and develops strategies to raise the public’s awareness of the Trail and its profile around the country

Joe DeVito — Board Chair
• Senior manager of Enterprise Solutions Badger Meter, Inc., a leading global manufacturer and marketer of flow measurement, water quality monitoring, and control products
• Former mayor of the Town of Port Royal
• Focused on building a community where all residents have safe and enjoyable options for transportation and recreation; champions enhancing walkability and cycling networks as essential for improving public health, reducing carbon emissions, and fostering local economic growth by connecting neighborhoods and attracting visitors

Gene Rugala — Board Treasurer
• Retired FBI profiler and current threat management consultant to companies nationwide
• Handles nonprofit’s financial matters, manages relationships with law enforcement partners, and advises board

Nora Kresch — Board Secretary
• Former director of public relations and marketing at Beaufort Memorial Hospital
• Handles formal meeting minutes to help keep nonprofit focused on priorities and timelines
• Provides expertise for donor events and serves as sounding board for external messaging and communications

David Barton — Board Member
• Retired mechanical engineer who worked on passive sonar systems for Navy submarines
• Brings technical expertise to planning and engineering stages of each Trail development

Dick Deuel — Board Member
• Retired professional engineer and development program manager for Beaufort-Jasper Water & Sewer Authority
• Advises board on best practices for trail planning and construction
• Leads Rotary Club of the Lowcountry volunteers who keep a section of the Trail beautiful

Charlie Frost — Board Member
• Retired minister of music
• Avid cyclist and advisor on Trail best practices, including ideas gathered during travel that could be implemented locally

Kate Hines — Board Member
• Former general manager of Fripp Island with deep expertise in community management
• Walks the Trail daily and is on front lines of maintenance issues, working closely with Beaufort County, City of Beaufort, and Town of Port Royal

Steve Mix — Board Member
• Former owner of The Butterfly Shop in downtown Beaufort
• Lives adjacent to the Trail’s most popular area and has identified more than 50 species of butterflies along it
• Strong supporter of using private and public funds to enhance recreational opportunities in greater Beaufort communities

Mary Roe — Board Member
• Executive director of the Palmetto Trail, South Carolina’s only cross-state trail
• Provides deep expertise in trail development and funding partners, and is passionate about bringing trails to the public throughout the state

Gary Thompson — Board Member
• Retired anesthesiologist with Low Country Anesthesia
• Avid cyclist with worldwide experience
• Advises board on best practices for safety and guidance on maintenance issues