It’s official! There is a new nature park in Saluda named the Bradley Nature Preserve.
The Saluda Community Land Trust (SCLT), working with the Polk County Community Foundation (PCCF), created the new 8.2-acre nature park.
The park is traversed by a trail system, with the trail head located on Esseola Drive across from the intersection of Esseola and Substation, near Autumn Care.
William Pace signed a purchase option agreement with SCLT last spring, giving SCLT one year to come up with the money to buy the 9.2-acre parcel of land. John and Lin Savage agreed to purchase one acre, and PCCF agreed to fund the purchase of the remaining 8.2 acres, with a requirement that the 8.2 acres will always be open to the public and be named the Bradley Nature Preserve in honor of Marjorie M. & Lawrence R. Bradley, the fund donors.
“The Bradley Nature Preserve is a beautiful example of what can happen when a private landowner and non-profit organizations work together for the greater good,” SCLT officials said.
The main entrance to Bradley Nature Preserve is also the trailhead for the Lazy Girl Loop. This trail is named after a ‘Lazy Gal’ water catchment system that used to supply spring water to a home up the hill.
SCLT led several hikes in the area during 2011 and plans to lead many hikes there.
– article submitted by Nora Parks