Large preserve on Catawba River takes a step forward

ROCK HILL, S.C. — The 1,900 acres on the Catawba River in York County that have recently been protected from development will soon be open to the public.

What is known as Riverbend Park, which is outside of Rock Hill, will have 6 miles of scenic views of the river.

In 2018, York County spent $21 million to buy the land; now a vote to preserve it means they can move forward on a vision for new recreation opportunities.

[PAST COVERAGE: York County prepares to buy $21 million green space along Catawba River]

The site of the new park is off the beaten path.

County leaders told Channel 9 to look for a blue mailbox leaning over and a gate in the woods on the other side of Neelys Store Road.

The land is currently inaccessible to the public, and the isolation of the location is what York County leaders and residents want to keep.

Jack Cornwell's farm backs up to the site. He lives in a farmhouse overlooking rolling pastureland above the river.

"Having lived in the country all our life, we would like to see it remain that way," Cornwell said.

The York County Council voted Monday night to preserve the land.

Several years ago, a developer planned to put 3,000 to 4,000 new homes there, but the county had an opportunity to buy the land, so it did.

Interim county manager David Hudspeth said now they can protect it forever by approving a conservation easement.

"So, it's always going to be somewhat close to the state it's in now," Hudspeth said.

The land will be open for hiking, camping, horseback riding, river access and more. However, development will be kept at a minimum.

The development could include restrooms, an outdoor pavilion and cabins.

If you add this feather in York County's cap to other big projects, it's clear the county once known as a bedroom community of Charlotte is changing.

The Carolina Panthers will move to a 200-plus acre site along Interstate 77 that will create a retail boom and draw thousands of visitors to Rock Hill. Local and state officials have called the Panthers’ plans truly transformational.

The Riverwalk development at North Cherry and Celriver roads paved the way for much of what is happening now. The groundbreaking development brought business, shopping and hundreds of new residents to the area.

Riverwalk used the Catawba River and the lure of the outdoors to draw people in.

That theme is continuing with further plans to expand river access, improve local parks and build on Rock Hill's growing reputation as a major hub for amateur sports and Olympic-caliber events.

"The development we're seeing is great, but we don't need to develop every bit of it," Hudspeth said.

That's why Riverbend will be akin to Fort Mill's greenway.

Cornwell couldn't imagine the land behind his farm being used for anything better.

"Sounds like they're on the right track with it," he said.

Riverbend Park is not likely the final name for the park.

It was known as Project Destiny before the deal was finalized, and it's not clear how the county will brand the area.

County leaders hope to begin cutting in roads to the site by summer and open it to the public within two years.

York County prepares to buy $21 million green space along Catawba River York County prepares to buy $21 million green space along Catawba River

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