This community is SC’s first designated ‘trails town.’ It’s identity could surprise you.
South Carolina’s pristine beaches, exclusive golf resorts and unique historical assets are all major contributors to the state’s $27 billion tourism sector — but Tom Mullikin sees a lesser known resource as its most prized offering.
“We were on the Lynches River yesterday, and every year I’m surprised more at the places that we see. And I thought I’ve seen a few places,” SC7 expedition leader Tom Mullikin said during a brief stop in Conway on July 17.
The retired Army officer who has dived the world’s oceans and summited more than 20 mountains around the globe was on Conway’s Riverwalk to help christen the city’s designation as South Carolina’s inaugural Trail Towns member.
An initiative of the state’s National Heritage Corridor, the program aims to boost ecotourism by highlighting communities that emphasize hiking and other outdoor activities.
Officials said Conway’s focus on building out greenways and paths made it a clear choice to represent the Trail Towns program.
“They have great accommodations. They have experiences for everyone that is looking to do anything outdoor related. They have great places to eat, to shop. So we’re just excited to showcase all they have to offer,” said Trail Towns program coordinator Abbey Crocker said.
City leaders last September approved a 176-page master plan identifying nearly 55 miles of path and trails and an additional 71 miles of countywide connectivity opportunities.
“At the risk of being immodest, I’m compelled to say how our decades-long history of planning, executing and ever-expanding our trail system fit this designation,” Mayor Barbara Blain-Bellamy said.
Building out the entire system would cost more than $100 million, according to city projections. Still, the plan includes a combination of urban and rural pathways linking to places including Coastal Carolina University, Loris and Myrtle Beach.
Sara Hottinger, CCU’s interim provost vice president of academic affairs, said greater pedestrian access between the campus and downtown Conway emerged as a top priority during recent university listening sessions.
“The Waccamaw and the junction between (U.S. Highways) 501 and 544 has been seen as a barrier between campus and downtown,” she said.
The state Heritage Corridor program recognized Conway’s efforts at connecting the city to CCU as contributing to its Trails Town designation.
“The space between downtown Conway and the CCU campus will instead become a pathway. A possibility. A stronger, deeper, more cohesive sense of place and community will be formed.”
State officials created a digital flip book detailing several of Conway’s local businesses, hiking and canoeing trails and short-term rental options as part of its Trail Towns inclusion.
“We love to brag on our big businesses, but it’s these small towns that keep people coming to South Carolina,” Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette said in Conway. “We really are opening up people’s eyes to the beauty of South Carolina.”
This story was originally published July 18, 2023 at 7:00 AM.