Irmo, SC (WLTX) - One group is hoping a new trail will bring life to an old golf course in Lexington County.
What was once the Rawls Creek and Coldstream Golf Course is now nothing but a field.
Debbie Landis, who lives in Irmo, says the community has had to take care of the abandoned course.
"The neighbors pitch in and mow them to keep them low so we don't have snakes and stuff," said Landis.
While many people used to tee up in Coldstream to play a round of golf or just walk around the course, the next time you come here you might be driving something different.
The Irmo Chapin Recreation Commission is transforming the course into bike and walking trails for the community.
Executive Director Mark Smyers says 114 acres were donated by the Mungo Family back in December.
"What if the community wants to go out and play catch, play a pickup football game, whatever that could be. That's green space. With the existing cart path that's already here, it gives us a jumpstart into providing that all in one motion,” explained Smyers.
At this time, the director says they’re planning ton keep half of the course wild and the other half more maintained while keeping trail paths on both ends.
Smyers says that some of the community wants to keep maintenance for the trail at a higher level than the originally planned, so they’re working on a compromise to figure out what works best for everyone.
Smyers says the commission is now working on the budget. He says the Mungo Family plans on helping pay for the project over the next five years.
"When we allocate that out, that's going to allow us to mow those areas along the trail way,” said Smyers. “As we grow into this space, we'll begin to either lump it into our regular operations after that five years or we're working on actually trying to find alternative revenue sources that will offset those expenses.”
If the commission is able to pick up another piece of land, it could connect you to some big locations.
"The plan for the Lower Saluda Greenway will ultimately tie in the Lake Murray Dam with downtown (Columbia)," explained Smyers.
While some residents around the area tells News 19 they're worried about traffic and the upkeep of the trails, others say it's better than having nothing.
"I think it's a good opportunity to get together and have walks. I think it's better than the alternative and having it empty," said Landis.
The Irmo Chapin Recreation Commission plan on hosting an opening day event on May 1.