Work begins on parking lot at New River Trail

Bluffton officials hope a parking lot at the head of the New River Trail will lead more people to take a hike.

Work began earlier this month on clearing the site for the 25-space lot, which will be accessible from a driveway connected to S.C. 46 near the Heritage at New Riverside community.

The trail, also for use by bicyclists and runners, has been virtually inaccessible to cars since a private drive was closed, the town said in a news release.

The lot will also have a kiosk with an emergency map of the trail, trash cans and an emergency phone, according to a town news release.

The contract for the parking lot construction was $141,000, with about $86,000 of that coming from a state grant.

The New River Trail currently stretches 3.4 miles, but when finished will extend 5.2 miles.