features like pickleball, but more about finding what makes sense for our community,” Martin notes. The mayor underscores, “In the amphitheater, we don’t need the greatest flavor of the month to come, we’re trying to create community.” Whether it is Movies in the Park, the popular Saturday night music series, or the events and offerings of the Farmer’s Market, Travelers Rest has something for everyone, all of it showcasing the outdoor ambience of the city. The attention to thoughtful design and community engagement are exemplified in a new natural playground that incorporates unique features such as a zipline. “It needed to fit within the landscape. You can see the Paris Mountain, and so it needed to be woodsy and green, with natural aesthetics to it. It’s a very unique playground,” Amidon recounts. Input from residents was part of the process, and TR reached out to organizations like the Moms of TR Group for feedback and ideas. ECONOMIC GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT Herman spotlights the four main drivers of the local economy- service, manufacturing, retail and tourism. “The service industry actually is our dominating industry, and that’s largely the health and educational services. That’s really exciting, because those are things that are great to build out and to allow our residents to have those opportunities,” she portrays. Home to two major health providers and a hospital, the small city is more than equipped to support the healthcare needs of the population, with room for growth. With Furman University and North Greenville University nearby, the community also benefits from an influx of educated residents. True to its name, tourism plays a crucial role in the town’s economy. In the words of Herman, “ We are Travelers Rest. We are a place where you come to stop and rest and be.” The city is looking to grow this area, hoping to attract accommodations, food services and other tourist oriented businesses. “Nature tourism is an opportunity. We’re near Paris mountain, we have the Swamp Rabbit, we’re right at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains with lots of hiking opportunities. And we’re working within 238 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 05, ISSUE 11
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