Racist, offensive images painted on a popular trail through this SC city

Racist and sexual images were painted along Greenville’s famed Swamp Rabbit Trail sometime overnight Tuesday to Wednesday.

Greenville Police said a passerby reported at 7:30 a.m. Wednesday that “a large amount” of graffiti had been painted in the Cleveland Park area.

A report by Officer Eric Center said, “The graffiti was racist and sexual explicit in nature with images of racist symbols, male penises and words ... painted on the trails.”

Images were painted on sidewalks, sports equipment as well as trees.

WYFF-TV reported a swastika was also painted.

A spokesperson for police said she does not know if there are cameras in the area.

Beth Brotherton, spokesperson for the city, said, “Not only is the graffiti offensive, it is a drain on city resources. Parks staff has been working along the trail and in Cleveland Park since early this morning..”

She said the city intends to investigate fully and hold the accountable.

Greenville Police declined to provide photos of the graffiti due to its “obscene nature.”

Cleveland Park is Greenville’s original city park along the Reedy River and, besides the Swamp Rabbit Trail, includes the Greenville Zoo, tennis courts and playground equipment. It is especially popular with young families and walkers from surrounding upscale neighborhoods.

The Swamp Rabbit runs 22 miles along former railroad tracks from Greenville to Travelers Rest and is Greenville’s most-often cited amenity by national travel magazines. Greenville has ranked high on many lists such as friendliest, best small city, best place to work remotely and best places to visit.

The Police said a grounds crew was dispatched to clean it up.