Entrance Relocation Completed
On May 20, the much-anticipated guardrails were installed on Hwy 276 entrance to Bald Rock Heritage Preserve. Our volunteers were picking up litter when the Department of Transportation showed up and started the installation we have envisioned for 4 years. We quickly moved our cars to the new parking lot on Persimmon Ridge Road. Then we walked back to 276 to watch history being made!
The initial public reaction to the relocation of the entrance was, as anticipated, negative with would-be visitors parking anywhere they could find space on Hwy 276 and then walking around the guardrails to get into the Preserve. Many of us called the SC Highway Patrol to handle illegal parking on the road, hoping to prevent accidents and injury.
Since May, Google Maps and other sites have picked up the coordinates for the new parking lot and trailhead. Directions are now available on our website, Google Maps, and SCDNR website.
We had a short uptick in graffiti, but we also had an increasing number of people using the new parking lot and enjoying the trail. Informal chats with visitors indicate people are enjoying the trail and are adjusting to the 1-mile round-trip.
DNR has dismantled the footbridge at the old entrance and plans to remove asphalt behind the guard rails. DNR will soon have a permanent sign ready for Hwy 276 that will direct people up the mountain to the new parking lot. These measures together have reduced the number of visitors accessing the preserve from Hwy 276. Our normal 1000 visitors on a Saturday has been reduced to an estimated 50 from Hwy 276. More visitors are finding and using the new safer parking lot, relieved to be off the busy highway.
NOTE: If you are planning to visit Bald Rock in the near future, Persimmon Ridge Road is currently in poor repair. Be prepared to use low gear and drive very slowly. See our website for more information. Note, the road is maintained by Greenville County.
Restoration Continues: On June 17, ten extremely energetic and determined volunteers spread out over a large search area, including the new parking lot, trail, well-house area, base of the big rock and little bald rocks. With all of that effort, we only found 80 pounds of trash. That’s a huge improvement! Since the first litter pickup in October 2021, we have collected over 6 TONS of litter.
Following July 4th, DNR surveyed the preserve and found very little litter and NO FIREWORKS DEBRIS. NONE. Also, there were no reports from DNR Law Enforcement or SC Highway Patrol. Amazing! Definitely a giant step toward protecting and conserving the property. Pat yourselves on the back…again!
We are taking July and August off to avoid the heat. Enjoy the break and we’ll be back for monthly litter pickups in September. Check for posted events on our website friendsofbaldrock.com to register. You can register now for a walk and litter pickup on Tuesday, September 16 from 9-11a.
Phase 3 Completion: With the guardrails installed, Friends of Bald Rock has completed its mission to assist the Dept of Natural Resources, as proposed in 2021. For the remainder of this year, we will hold a monthly litter pickup, although it will mostly be a walk in the woods, assessing the impact of the new entrance, enjoying the preserve, and picking up any litter we can find. We hope you’ll join us to enjoy a safer, calmer visit with friends.
Dissolution Plan
With our mission completed, the Board of Directors has approved a dissolution plan, which means Friends of Bald Rock Heritage Preserve will close on December 31, 2025.
We have sufficient funds to cover our operating expenses through the end of the year, so we will take down the website membership and donor pages on September 1, 2025. Our web host will securely delete all account information, and we will close our payment processing account. But we are not done yet! You will be able to volunteer, contact us, and receive updates for the rest of the year.
You have done amazing work! Work that no one else had even attempted in the last 20 years.
For the record: It only took 150 ridiculously optimistic and adventurous volunteers, a talented group of community partners, 50 cleanup events, and 17 community outreach events to overcome 85 years of trash and 50 years of graffiti. Job well done! We can’t thank you enough for making this journey with us.
