Visitors from the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources to the North Augusta Greeneway Trail apparently liked what they saw.

The department, whose representatives visited the trail Oct. 31, recently named the Greeneway as a recipient of its Stewardship Development Award.

"Only a few developments in South Carolina have gotten the award in the 10 years it has existed," said Richard Scharf, the program's coordinator.

The Greeneway, a multipurpose trail system named for former Mayor Thomas Greene, follows an abandoned railroad right of way that was purchased by the city in 1988.

"The design of the Greeneway did involve some commitment from the city to maintain and improve the natural resources along the Greeneway," said Bob Brooks, the director of the city's Parks, Recreation and Leisure Services.

The Natural Resources Stewardship Awards program promotes the conservation, protection and enhancement of the state's natural resources.

The Greeneway, which stretches almost seven miles, is buffered along most of its route by a 100-foot, wooded right of way. The trail also provides wildlife corridors and protects rare plant species.

Mr. Brooks said the city's parks and stormwater management departments collaborated to develop the conservation methods used along the trail.

"In one of the low areas, we planted plants that grow in wetlands areas instead of draining it," he said.

Phase I of the trail reaches 3.3 miles from the Georgia Avenue bridge to Martintown Road. The 1.5-mile phase II extends to Pisgah Road just off Five Notch Road.

Phase III, a pedestrian bridge over Martintown Road, connects the first two phases, and phase IV extends the trail a half-mile from the Georgia Avenue bridge to the River Club Golf Course clubhouse.

Construction was completed on a 1.5-mile extension to the North Augusta riverfront earlier this year.

The Greeneway received another accolade in June when it was recognized as one of 37 newly designated National Recreation Trails by U.S. Secretary of the Interior Gale Norton. The designation is awarded to trails that connect people to local resources and improve their quality of life.

Reach Betsy Gilliland at (803) 648-1395, ext. 113, or betsy.gilliland@augustachronicle.com.