Congaree Creek Commissioner’s Trail Ride Highlights Need to Open More Public Trails
South Carolina Department of Agriculture
Hugh Weathers, Commissioner
Media Contacts: Marsha Hewitt. 803-734-0106, mhewitt@scda.sc.gov
Kelly Coakley, 803‐734‐2196, kcoakley@scda.sc.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – May 13, 2014
Columbia, S.C. –About two dozen riders and horses will take to the woods in the Congaree Creek Commissioner’s Trail Ride starting at the Thomas A. Newman Boat Landing Friday, May 16. Hosted by Commissioner Hugh Weathers and the South Carolina Department of Agriculture, the ride is a unique cooperative venture among multiple partners.
The property is owned by SCANA, the SC Department of Natural Resources, and the City of Cayce, with improvements by the River Alliance. As privately owned land, it has never been available for public trail rides. This joint venture will highlight the need for trails open to the horse-riding public in the Midlands.
Riders will be divided into small groups so they can explore multiple trails. Some of the trails follow the line of the creek, while others wind through scenic woods.
Commissioner Weathers and local officials will host a press conference to discuss the state’s equine industry and its growing economic impact, which is estimated at nearly $3 billion.
Schedule:
10:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. Morning trail ride – Leaving from Thomas A. Newman Boat Landing, located next to Cayce Wastewater Treatment Plant
12:30 p.m. Press Conference with SCDA, SCANA, DNR, the River Alliance, City of Cayce
1:00 p.m. Lunch at Cayce Wastewater Treatment Plant
1:30 p.m. Afternoon trail ride – Leaving from same location as morning ride
**The Thomas A. Newman Boat Landing and the Cayce Wastewater Treatment Plant are located at 539 Old State Road in Cayce.
**Members of the media are invited to participate in the trail ride on a first-come basis, but they must notify SCDA’s Marsha Hewitt by noon on May 15. Marsha can be reached at the number or email listed above.