5 Types of Paths You’ll Find on the Green Crescent Trail

The Green Crescent Trail isn’t just one kind of path. It’s a network built from different types of connections. 

Some paths are fully separated from traffic. Others follow roads, move through neighborhoods, or connect through natural areas.

Together, they will form a network that makes it safer and easier to get where you want to go.

To help you know what to expect as the network grows, here are five types of paths you’ll find across the Green Crescent Trail.

1. Separated Multi-Use Paths

Separated, multi-use paths are typically around 10 feet across, designed for both walking and biking. 

In some places, they’re separated from the road by grass. In others, they sit behind a curb. The exact design depends on available space.

But the experience should be the same: a comfortable, shared space that feels clearly set apart from car traffic.

One good example is the new path along Perimeter Rd on Clemson University’s campus.

Another example is the future side path that will be built along Berkeley Drive in 2026.

These are what many people picture when they think of a “trail.” It’s the most complete version of the Green Crescent Trail experience, and when space and conditions allow, it’s the preferred approach.

Why it matters:
Multi-use paths provide the most complete experience, safe, visible, and easy for people of all ages to use.

2. Sidewalks

Not every connection requires or has space for a full multi-use path.

In some areas, especially near downtowns or along existing streets, sidewalks play an important role in the network.

Patrick Square is one current example. Its main street, Thomas Green Blvd, will soon be an important Green Crescent Trail connection between Nettles Park and the Town Center.

The sidewalk is clearly for pedestrians. But the road is slow enough and low enough stress to be shared with people on bikes as well. 

Why it matters:
Sidewalks often provide the most practical way to close small but important gaps in the network.

3. Protected Bike Lanes

In areas where people are moving along busier roads, protected bike lanes create a separate space for biking that feels safe and usable for more than just experienced riders.

Unlike a simple painted stripe, protected bike lanes include some form of separation from traffic, whether that’s a buffer, curb, or physical barrier.

They’re often paired with sidewalks, so that pedestrians and cyclists each have their own space, working together as a complete corridor.

Future improvements to College Ave. in Downtown Clemson will be an example of this type of Green Crescent Trail.

Conceptual drawing from the 2017 Downtown Corridor StudyWhy it matters:
Protected bike lanes make biking accessible to everyday people, not just the most confident riders, and help create continuous, usable routes through busier parts of the community.

4. On-Street Connections (Bicycle Boulevards)

Some of the most important links in the Green Crescent Trail don’t look like trails at all.

They’re regular streets, designed to work better for people walking and biking.

Often called bicycle boulevards or low-stress connections, these routes rely on slower speeds, lighter traffic, and thoughtful design to create a comfortable environment.

They help connect neighborhoods to larger trail segments without requiring new construction.

The current example of this type of connection is Rippleview St and Brooks St in Clemson, which were part of the first Green Crescent Trail segment in the City of Clemson.

Why it matters:
On-street connections are a low-cost, safe way to create a functioning network.

5. Natural Surface Trails

In some spaces, a natural surface path of either compacted gravel or mulch makes the most sense. They’re often found in quieter, more scenic areas.

These trails may feel more like recreation, but they still play a role in connecting parks, neighborhoods, and community spaces.

The best current example of this is the Hall Trail in Pendleton. You can access it at the Jenkins House on Cherry St near downtown.

The Pendleton Historic Foundation and the First Baptist Church of Pendleton each allowed public use of this trail. And local volunteers created it during multiple work days. 

Why it matters:
Natural surface trails expand the network while preserving the character of the land they pass through.

How It All Fits Together

The Green Crescent Trail is a lot like a jigsaw puzzle. It’s got unique individual pieces like:

A multi-use path.
A sidewalk.
A protected bike lane.
A neighborhood street.
A natural path.

But when put together, they create a safe and usable network we can use every day.

What This Means for You

As the Green Crescent Trail continues to grow, you’ll start to see more of these different connections take shape across the community.

Whatever they look like, the goal will always be the same:

To make it safer and easier for you to move between the places you already go, whether that’s school, work, a park, or downtown.

We’re excited about that future of the Green Crescent! Thank you for your support!