Making a Story Map for the Swamp Rabbit Trail

To add a section, begin scrolling down. You will see a + (plus sign) to add a section.

• • Click on it to add a new Text section. Copy and paste the following text:

Running along the scenic Reedy River on a historic rail bed, the Prisma Health Swamp Rabbit Trail Network is a 22 mile multi-use greenway system. Opened in 2009, this trail has experienced continual growth and offers fun, non-motorized recreation and transportation opportunities.

• • Click the + and add media. Insert the srt_cog.jpg image. Enter this text as a caption under the photo:

The multi-use Swamp Rabbit Trail connects Greenville and Traveler's Rest, SC.

• • Click the + and add text, copying and pasting the following:

Scroll through this story map to learn the trail's history and development and to see points of interest along the trail.

• • Add a Title and an Immersive section, which fills the screen with content. Set the title to The Swamp Rabbit Story.

  • Click the pencil icon on the lower left and Add media. Upload the file srt_transition.jpg.

  • Click Add media and select swamp_rabbit_train.jpg. Copy and paste the following text into the box "Continue your story here..."

In 1889, a group of local businessmen launch a railroad with the vision of connecting Greenville County to the Atlantic ports and Tennessee. The official name is the Carolina, Knoxville and Western Railway, but passengers fondly nickname it the Swamp Rabbit.

It is believed the name came from the wetlands along the Reedy River that the line traversed and the bouncy nature of the ride.

• • Click the Pencil icon in the lower left, where you can edit the photo settings. For example, you can click the Do not crop button to show the entire photo and select a background color. Click the check-mark to close the menu.

  • Along the bottom of the screen, click the + to add another item to the immersive section. For media, select the photo of Camp-Wing-photo-courtesy-TR-Historical-Society.jpg. Enter the text into the text box:

By 1920, the rail line extended from Marietta, GA to near the present day Jones Gap State Park in South Carolina.

A spur line near Travelers Rest was frequently demolished and rebuilt by the Army to train soldiers headed for the front in Europe to build track in battlefield conditions.

• • Add another section with the photo Rusted-railcar.png. Add the text:

By the 1990's, the railroad had been bought and sold many times and used for different purposes, like passenger service and hauling industrial freight. Some sections were in total disrepair or had the rails removed.

In 1998, the railroad was purchased by the Greenville County Economic Development Corporation (GCEDC). Only a single train car remained, but there was a bright vision of converting the rail system into a multi-use recreation trail.

• • Add another section with the photo SRTVolunteers.jpg. Add the text:

Through the hard work of the Upstate Forever group, Greenville County Recreation, Greenville Health System, and many volunteers, the overgrown rail lines were cleared and paved to create the Swamp Rabbit Trail, which opened in 2009.

• • Add a final section with the photo swamp-rabbit-trail.jpg. Add the text:

The Swamp Rabbit Trail now attracts over 500,000 users annually. It has provided substantial health and economic benefits to the area, and generates nearly $7 million in tourism revenue each year.

• • Save your story map progress.

We finished the section with a quick history of the trail. Next, we will add another section to hold our map and trailside features.

• Add a new title "Trail Map and Points of Interest" and a new narrative section. For the media, navigate to your My Content section and select the Swamp Rabbit Trail Map by (Your Name).

• In the text box, enter:

There are over 22 miles of trail, including spurs and connector routes.

• • In the text box, click the +, add Media, and select the image trail_legend.png.

  • Click the Duplicate button in the upper-right corner of the map icon. This will copy over the map into another section.

  • Go to Edit (pencil) and turn on the SRT Layers - Parking by checking the box. Click the Accept (checkmark).

  • Add the following text to the text box:

You can park for free at one of 22 locations along the trail.

Click the Explore Map button in the lower right to make the map interactive. Click on an item to see details about it.

• • Duplicate the map once again, and turn on the Restrooms and Water Fountains layers. Turn off the Parking layer.

  • Add the following text to the text box:

There are over 30 public restrooms and water fountains along the trail.

Next, we will link to The Carrot, an interactive guide to dining along the SRT, since there aren't any map layers showing dining options.

• • Add a new section. For the text box, enter

Looking for something to eat along the trail? Click the Explore button in the lower-right to browse The Carrot, a guide to dining near the Swamp Rabbit Trail.

• • Click Add Media > Link to Content. Enter this url into the box: http://digitaleditions.sheridan.com/publication/?i=507452#{%22issue_id%22:507452,%22page%22:0}

  • Add another section for a YouTube video tour of the SRT.

  • Click Add Media > Link to Content. Enter this URL: https://youtu.be/g0qZLAdlerA

  • Add a final Title section with the title For More Information. Then add a narrative section with the following text:

To learn more about the Swamp Rabbit Trail, visit the Greenville County Rec site at www.greenvillerec.com/swamprabbit/

• • Highlight the URL and click the Hyperlink button. Enter the link www.greenvillerec.com/swamprabbit/

• Click the align icon along the left of the text and change to Center aligned.

A Credits Section allows you to acknowledge sources for media and information. Let's give credit to our sources by clicking Add a credits section.

• Enter the following items: