Belton Landing ADA Kayak Launch to Open Monday
Friday, October 15, 2021 at 6:49AM Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer
Anderson County continues its statewide leadership position in accessible recreation with the official opening of Belton Landing, which will include and ADA kayak launch, on the Saluda River Monday at 2 p.m.
The City of Belton will hold a ribbon-cutting event at the site at 2520 SC Hwy 247 to celebrate the completion of major redevelopment efforts at the facility.
“The City of Belton is proud to host this facility and we look forward to meeting visitors from all across the nation," said Belton Mayor Eleanor Dorn. "I am grateful to the Belton City Council and former Mayor Wendell Page for their efforts to move this project forward—we wouldn’t be here today without their support.”
The redevelopment efforts at Belton Landing are the result of an ongoing partnership between the City of Belton, Anderson County, the Duke Energy Foundation, and the Anderson County Legislative Delegation. The project received a $100,000 grant from the Duke Energy Foundation’s Water Resources Fund and a $35,000 grant from the SCPRT Parks and Recreation Development (PARD) program. Improvements at the facility include improved parking and access as well as the installation of an ADA-accessible kayak launch.
“The City of Belton has been working very hard to attract cultural and nature-based tourism to the community, and the improvements at Belton Landing are significant step forward in that effort," said Anderson County Councilman Ray Graham. "I am very proud that Anderson County was able to partner with the city on this project, and I am confident that the Saluda River Blue Trail will continue to grow into a beloved and nationally-recognized regional amenity.”
Belton Landing represents the third major improvement project along the Anderson County portion of the Saluda River Blue Trail in recent years. Conceived by a consortium of public entities, private sector interests, advocates for the physically-challenged, environmental groups, and other stakeholders, the blue trail enhances water recreational access for six South Carolina counties along the Saluda River. Along with its sister sites in Powdersville and Pelzer, Belton Landing promotes and preserves our local natural resources through the creation of river access points and resource awareness opportunities.
Belton Landing serves as the southern anchor of a 20-mile segment of the Blue Trail that begins at Dolly Cooper Park in Powdersville. The Belton Access is located roughly three miles south of Duke Energy's new 750-megawatt combined-cycle natural gas plant at the W.S. Lee Station. Over one million people live within 50 miles of the Belton Access. The site’s location makes it an attractive destination for kayakers, anglers, wildlife watchers, and those seeking more passive recreational interests.
“It is hard to overstate the importance of the Belton Landing project to our community," said S.C. Rep. Jay West. "The facility will not only serve to improve river access and provide economic stimulus to the Belton area, but will also raise awareness to the fundamental importance of preserving our pristine natural resources.”
ADA launch sites are the core of Anderson County's Saluda River Corridor Development Plan, and are being implemented along the 48-mile river between the Saluda Lake Dam and the Town of Ware Shoals Dam. Anderson County has aggressively implemented its access improvement plan, and is working with other counties alongside the river to establish miles of paddling opportunities in Upstate South Carolina.