EASLEY — A project several years in the making — and a 43-year-old promise — came to fruition on Saturday as city officials and Upstate residents came together for the ceremonial ribbon cutting that officially opened The Doodle Trail’s latest extension into downtown Easley.
“I would like to read you all a letter, and it won’t take but just a second,” said Easley Mayor Larry Bagwell. “A friend of mine sent me this letter, it said: ‘Dear Sir, Will you please make some bicycle for us to ride on? I hope you will consider it and do it soon. We Cub Scouts will keep them clean and will help if necessary. Your’s truly, Will Hagood.’”
Will Hagood sent the letter in 1974.
“And so today, we are actually getting ready to put some bicycle paths. I thought that was very touching,” said Bagwell. “I knew his father, his family and knew him very well.”
City Councilman Chris Mann thanked everyone involved in the project for their hard work and dedication in making the trail a reality.
“The thing about The Doodle Trail is that it is the only bike and pedestrian path in the state of South Carolina that comes through a cemetery,” said Mann. “We’re unique, we’re excited about that. So we hope that you will get out and enjoy this path. Enjoy the recreation, enjoy the fellowship.”
Mann said that over 100,000 bicyclists and pedestrians used the trail each year and it was his hope that this extension would bring some of those visitors to the downtown area.
