From Plan to Pavement: What You’ll See in 2026

On a typical morning in our community, it’s already happening. 

Children are walking to school with a parent along Berkeley Dr.
College students are riding a scooter or bike to camp us along Hwy 93.
People are walking for exercise and a breath of fresh air on Pendleton’s Hall Trail.

These people-powered trips aren’t a dream.
They’re part of our lives right now.

But they’re stitched together by gaps.
A sidewalk that ends too soon.
A crosswalk that doesn’t feel safe.
A path that almost connects, but not quite.

The 15×30 campaign is about closing those gaps.

And this year, in 2026, you’re going to start seeing that happen. Here’s what it will look like on the ground.

Coming Soon for the Green Crescent Trail

2026 will be a busy year for new Green Crescent Trail projects. Thanks to the hard work of municipal partners and community members for many years, you’re going to see one new connection after another. 

Here are a few projects you can expect to start soon:

Berkeley Drive Sidepath in Clemson

In April, 2026 the City of Clemson is collecting bids from contractors to build the new sidepath. That means it should be finished sometime this year. 

In addition to a sidepath on Berkeley Dr, a loop trail and 18-car parking area will be built in the Berkeley Meadows property at the corner of Issaqueena Trail and Berkeley Dr.

Hwy 93 Sidepath in Downtown Central

The South Carolina Department of Transportation has collected bids from contractors to build this sidepath, and construction is supposed to begin this summer. 

When finished, it will begin near the red Caboose and Bolick Field in Downtown Central and end at Tarrant Street near SWU and the future Central Fire Station property. 

College Ave Streetscape Improvements

As of early April 2026, the work to make downtown Clemson safer, more vibrant, and more walkable has already begun. This project will widen sidewalks, plant new trees, and identify the road as a slow-speed, shared zone for bicycles and cars.

In the near future, additional city projects on College Ave will install separated, multiuse paths and other pedestrian improvements. This improved College Ave will connect to and become part of the greater Green Crescent Trail network. 

These three projects are just a few examples. 

Each one may look like a small piece on its own. But together, they start to do something different. They begin turning isolated segments into something that actually works as a network.

That’s when the Green Crescent Trail becomes something you can use in your daily life, not just something you visit occasionally.

Where You Fit In

The progress you’re starting to see didn’t happen by accident.

Every one of these projects exists because people in this community paid attention, spoke up, and stayed involved over time.

And that part doesn’t change.

If anything, it becomes more important as momentum builds.

Here are a few simple ways you can help:

Stay informed.
When projects are proposed, designed, or up for feedback, knowing what’s happening is the first step.

Speak up when it matters.
Public input, emails, and meetings may feel small, but they shape priorities and timelines more than most people realize.

Use the trail.
Every time someone walks, bikes, or rolls on these routes, it reinforces that this infrastructure matters and should continue to grow.

Support the work financially.
Donations of any size to Friends of the Green Crescent non-profit help turn ideas into reality. They support advocacy, volunteer maintenance, signage, mapping, and the coordination required to keep projects moving forward.

Share the vision.
Talk about it with neighbors, friends, and colleagues. The more people understand what’s being built, the stronger the support becomes.

Get Involved: Upcoming Events

One of the best ways to stay connected to this work is simply to show up.

Throughout the year, Friends of the Green Crescent hosts events that bring people together around the trail and the broader vision of a more connected community.

These include:

  • Community walks and rides
  • Public meetings and updates on upcoming projects
  • Volunteer days and trail improvements
  • Special events that highlight different parts of the network

These aren’t just events. They’re how ideas turn into action, and how people begin to see the system come together in real life.

We’ll continue sharing details on our email list and website about upcoming opportunities to get involved. If you’ve been looking for a way to plug in, this is a great place to start.

A Network Taking Shape

The next few years will bring visible change to the Green Crescent Trail.

New paths.
Safer crossings.
Connections that didn’t exist before.

But the real change is what those pieces create together.

A system that works.
A community that’s easier to move through.
A place where walking and biking feel like natural parts of daily life.

That’s the direction we’re heading.

The gaps are starting to close.

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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!

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The Places the Green Crescent Trail Will Connect

Ten years ago, I was frustrated that I couldn’t safely push my daughter in a stroller from my house to a nearby park.

Maybe you’ve had your own version of this story.

The goal of the Green Crescent Trail is to change that.

We want to make it safer and easier to walk or bike to all the local places we already go.

Schools. Parks. Libraries. Campuses. Downtowns. Restaurants. Neighborhoods.

When those places are connected safely, walking and biking can become natural parts of our daily lives.

Here are a few of the specific places we hope to see connected.

Three Towns, Three Campuses

Three towns (red) and three campuses (blue), all connected by the future Green Crescent Trail network.

Three towns (red) and three campuses (blue), all connected by the future Green Crescent Trail network.

The Green Crescent Trail is designed to link three towns and three campuses that sit remarkably close together.

  • Clemson
  • Central
  • Pendleton

And:

  • Clemson University
  • Southern Wesleyan University
  • Tri-County Technical College

Few communities our size have this kind of proximity. The opportunity is not to build something entirely new, but to better connect what already exists.

Learning, Parks, and Everyday Destinations

South Carolina Botanical Garden

The 15×30 campaign includes connections to major campuses, along with cultural and educational destinations like the South Carolina Botanical Garden, the Central-Clemson Library, and the Pendleton Library.

Parks are another key part of the network.

In Clemson, this includes Clemson Park, Nettles Park, Abernathy Park, and others that could serve as trailheads.

In Central, places like Bolick Field, the SWU bike trails, the disc golf course, and the Central-Clemson Recreation Center.

In Pendleton, the nature trails themselves form a system of park-like spaces around the town.

As these places become easier to reach without driving, they become part of everyday routines instead of occasional trips.

Downtowns and Local Gathering Places

Mama Rae’s Ice Cream Shop on the Village Green in Pendleton

The Green Crescent Trail is also intended to connect the historic downtowns of Clemson, Central, and Pendleton.

These are the cultural and economic centers of each town. Safe walking and biking routes can make them easier to reach and more enjoyable places to spend time.

Sometimes the impact is simple.

In Pendleton, it might mean stopping at Mama Rae’s Ice Cream after a walk along the heritage trails.

In Clemson, it could mean walking from Abernathy Park to downtown or biking from Nettles Park to Sunnyside Café in Patrick Square.

In Central, it might mean a short walk between Depot Dog, the Roller Mills area, and Southern Wesleyan University.

You can see the potential for this kind of connection in nearby Travelers Rest, where the Swamp Rabbit Trail has helped reshape the downtown.

Where Every Trip Begins

All of these destinations have one thing in common. They only matter if people can reach them easily.

And most trips start in the neighborhoods where we live.

For the Green Crescent Trail to work, it needs to connect those neighborhoods to parks, campuses, libraries, restaurants, and downtowns.

That is why it is being developed as a network, not a single trail.

Looking Ahead

Today, parts of this system already exist, but many are not yet clearly connected or easy to follow.

Some links are already possible but not obvious. The connection between Nettles Park and Patrick Square is one example. With better signage and wayfinding, it could become a clear and usable route.

The goal of the 15×30 campaign is to strengthen and clarify these connections over time.

Because in the end, the Green Crescent Trail is not just about building paths.

It’s about making it easier to move between the places we already love in Clemson, Central, and Pendleton.

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How 15 Miles Get Built by 2030

Fifteen connected miles do not build themselves. Behind every trail segment are years of planning, budgeting, engineering, and coordination.

Nearly ten miles of Green Crescent Trail segments now exist across Clemson, Central, and Pendleton because elected officials, university trustees, municipal staff, engineers, donors, and residents chose to prioritize safe, connected movement over many years.

What follows are some of the key ingredients that will help our community continue to build toward our goal of 15 miles of Green Crescent Trail network by 2030. 

Behind every trail segment are years of planning, budgeting, engineering, and coordination.

Long-Term Commitment Required

Trail networks are not built in a single budget cycle.

They move forward through capital improvement plans, infrastructure allocations, engineering studies, grant applications, easement negotiations, and construction scheduling.

Often, visible construction is the final step in a process that began years earlier.

For example, in 2016 the City of Clemson, the Town of Central, Pickens County, Southern Wesleyan University, and Clemson University funded the original Green Crescent Trail feasibility study. 

Also in 2016, Pendleton funded a Walk and Bike-Friendly Community Master Plan.

Now, 10 years later many of those planning seeds have grown into real trails on the ground.

The 15 mile network we want to see by 2030 will only come if we continue to prioritize it right now and each year moving forward.

Often, visible construction is the final step in a process that began years earlier.

Town and Gown Partnerships

The Green Crescent Trail runs through three municipalities and three university campuses. Each operates independently.

Cities such as Clemson, Central, and Pendleton have elected councils and professional staff who guide policy and approve infrastructure investments.

Clemson University, Southern Wesleyan University, and Tri-County Technical College are governed by boards of trustees and administrative teams responsible for campus planning and mobility systems.

Advancing a trail connection across a university campus is often very similar to advancing one across a city corridor. It requires:

  • Leadership approval
  • Budget alignment
  • Facilities planning
  • Cross-department coordination
  • Integration with broader mobility strategies

Universities are not simply destinations on the map. They are infrastructure owners and decision-makers, just like cities.

So when cities and campuses move in the same direction, small connections can unlock major regional impact.

Several new trail segments are funded, under design, or positioned to move forward in 2026.

The Role of State and Regional Agencies

Many of the corridors that matter most for connectivity are controlled by the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT).

For example in Central in 2026, the SCDOT is administering the construction of a Green Crescent Trail path along Hwy 93 between downtown (the Caboose) and Tarrant St near SWU’s campus.

And regional transportation agencies plan and distribute a large amount of federal and state funds for transportation projects. In our case this is ACATS (Anderson-Clemson Area Transportation Study).

But beyond funding, trail segments often move forward when timing and opportunities align.

For example, the SCDOT’s scheduled resurfacing project on Berkeley Drive in Clemson created a window to add a sidepath and improve crossings. 

And the 2023 Clemson University Perimeter Road improvement project created an opportunity to extend the Green Crescent Trail on campus. 

When coordination happens early, it can:

  • Reduce construction costs
  • Minimize disruption
  • Accelerate delivery by aligning with existing timelines

These moments do not happen by accident. They happen when institutions communicate consistently and plan with shared awareness.

That is how trail segments move from idea to construction.

How Trails Are Funded

Trail projects rarely rely on a single funding source. Instead, they are typically built through layers of investment that come together over time.

Local investment

  • Municipal capital budgets
  • Infrastructure allocations

State and federal grants

  • General assembly funding
  • Transportation safety funding
  • Recreational trail programs

Institutional investment

  • Campus improvements
  • Facilities upgrades

Private and philanthropic support

  • Foundation grants
  • Corporate sponsorships
  • Individual donations

In many cases, local dollars unlock grants through required matching funds. And grants accelerate timelines. 

Over time, these coordinated investments lead to the trails you see.

Slow Work, Real Momentum

The pace of trail progress has been frustrating at times for many supporters of the Green Crescent Trail.

Why does it take so long?

Funding cycles vary. Easements require negotiation. Engineering takes time. Construction windows can be narrow.

Infrastructure moves deliberately because it must be safe, durable, and coordinated across multiple institutions.

But the momentum behind the Green Crescent Trail is real.

Several new trail segments are funded, under design, or positioned to move forward in 2026. The coming year is likely to bring more visible trail progress than any year in the past, built on years of coordination already underway.

Long-term infrastructure moves forward in waves. What becomes visible tomorrow is shaped by decisions made today.

A Shared Effort

The 15×30 campaign is not simply a construction goal. It is a coordination goal.

It asks cities, universities, state agencies, donors, businesses, and residents to move in the same direction over time.

When that happens:

  • Students move more safely between housing and campus.
  • Families reach parks and schools with greater confidence.
  • Downtowns become easier to access without increasing congestion.
  • Neighborhoods feel less isolated from one another.

Fifteen miles by 2030 is achievable.

But it gets built the same way every segment has been built so far … through steady partnership, disciplined planning, and long-term commitment.

That is the work behind the Green Crescent Trail. 

Thanks for your support!

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Guiding Principles of the Green Crescent Trail

A child should be able to walk to school safely. An employee should be able to bike to work easily. A grandparent should be able to stroll to the park, unhurried and unafraid. Movement should not be a luxury. It should be built into the places we live, work, and play. These are some of the core values that inspired the original idea of the Green Crescent Trail.

As the community embarks on the 15×30 campaign to complete 15 miles of connected trail across Clemson, Central, and Pendleton by 2030, it’s a natural moment to revisit why we started this in the first place.

Safety Comes First

If the most vulnerable users are not protected, a transportation system is incomplete.

Safe crossings. Clear connections. Design that reduces conflict between vehicles and pedestrians.
Spaces where families feel confident, not cautious. Safety is not an enhancement. It is the foundation of a connected community.

Connectivity Is the Key

A sidewalk that stops short is not a network. A trail that does not reach schools, parks, campuses, and downtowns leaves opportunity on the table.

True connectivity links:

  • Neighborhoods to parks.
  • Homes to schools.
  • Campuses to downtowns.
  • Towns to one another.

The goal of the Green Crescent Trail has never been isolated segments. It has been a connected system that improves daily life across our towns. When paths connect, people connect.

Design for People

For many years, transportation systems focused primarily on moving vehicles efficiently. But communities across the country are recognizing the importance of designing spaces that also prioritize people.

Wider sidewalks. Protected paths. Shade trees. Thoughtful crossings.

Prioritizing people prioritizes quality of life. It shapes how downtowns feel, how businesses grow, and how independent children and students can be.

More Than Recreation. It’s Infrastructure.

A connected trail system may be enjoyed as a recreational amenity, but it also functions as essential infrastructure.

It improves safety for daily travel.
It supports physical and mental health.
It strengthens local businesses.
It provides transportation options as our community continues to grow.

As growth brings more traffic and development, alternative ways to move help offset congestion and expand choices for residents and visitors alike. Investment in trails is an investment in long-term community vitality.

Progress Happens Through Partnership

The Green Crescent Trail exists because of collaboration. It began as an idea imagined in a university classroom. Community members advocated for it. City, university, and state leaders prioritized it and helped fund it. Municipal staff planned and built it. Donors and grant-makers accelerated progress. Local businesses, residents, and volunteers continue to lend their support.

Bringing safe connections to life has required years of coordination and shared commitment. Continued progress depends on maintaining that same spirit of cooperation.

Looking Ahead

Today’s built segments form the groundwork for something more complete.

The next step is to finish connecting, signing, and expanding the network to 15 miles by 2030. But the deeper goal remains unchanged:  A community where daily movement is safe, natural, and accessible.

Where students and families move easily between neighborhoods and schools. Where parks, campuses, and downtowns feel connected. Where quality of life is strengthened by thoughtful design. These values have shaped the Green Crescent Trail from the beginning.

And they continue to guide the kind of place we are building – a community where it is easier for people to live, work, learn, and play.

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What Does That Actually Mean? Green Crescent Trail “15×30” Campaign Explained

You may have heard us talk about the 15×30 Campaign, or seen the phrase “15 miles by 2030.”

But what does that actually mean?

Is the Green Crescent one long trail?
A single construction project?
Something like the Swamp Rabbit Trail?
Not exactly.

In this article, I want to clarify what 15×30 includes, how the pieces fit together, and what kind of Green Crescent Trail network is being built across Clemson, Central, and Pendleton.

Click on a link to an interactive version of the map below to see how the pieces fit together: https://shorturl.at/0Yzpz

A Simple Definition

At its core, 15×30 is the plan to connect Clemson, Central, and Pendleton, along with three university campuses, into a safer, more usable trail network by 2030.

That network is designed for everyday life. Walking to school. Biking to class. Getting to a park. Moving between downtowns. Connecting neighborhoods to places people already go.

It is not a single rail trail.
It is not one continuous off-street path.
And it is not starting from scratch.

A Network, Not a Single Trail

One of the most important things to understand about the Green Crescent Trail is that it’s a network.

That means it’s made up of different types of facilities working together as one system:

  • Separated multi-use paths
  • Side paths along roads
  • Low-stress neighborhood streets
  • Some upgraded sidewalks
  • Some on-street bike facilities, where appropriate

You can think of it as a tapestry rather than a single thread.

This approach isn’t a compromise. Our communities are already built. Roads, neighborhoods, campuses, and waterways shape what’s possible. 

A connected network allows progress where opportunities exist, while still improving safety and comfort over time.

What Counts Toward the 15 Miles

The 15 miles in the 15×30 goal are not defined by one design type.

They are defined by usefulness. A mile counts if it:

  • Helps people safely move between meaningful places
  • Contributes to a continuous, legible route
  • Strengthens the overall connectivity of the system

Some miles will feel like traditional greenways. Others will feel more downtown or campus-oriented. Many will continue to improve with better crossings, signage, and design upgrades.

The goal is not uniformity. The goal is safe, connected movement.

Where We’re Starting Today

The Green Crescent Trail already exists in pieces.

Today, there are nearly ten miles of trail segments across the area that people can use. Some are well known and heavily used. Others are easy to miss. Most don’t yet feel like part of a single, intuitive system.

That gap between “existing” and “easy to understand and use” is part of what 15×30 is meant to address.

Building new trail matters. But making what already exists work better together via signage, trailheads, and maps matters just as much.

Why Connection Is the Core Idea

Every trail segment is valuable. Many were hard-won and took years of effort.

At the same time, a mile of trail creates the most value when it connects us to places we want to go.

Connections multiply usefulness. A short link can:

  • Complete a safe route to school
  • Bridge a gap between a neighborhood and a park
  • Turn two isolated segments into a daily transportation option

This is why 15×30 focuses on closing gaps and stitching segments together, not just adding mileage in isolation.

How to Read the Map

If you’ve looked at the 15×30 map, you may notice something important: it shows more than 15 miles of trail. That’s intentional.

The map shows:

  • What’s open and usable today
  • What’s realistically planned or feasible by 2030
  • The broader shape of a network that will continue evolving

The 15-mile goal lives inside that larger picture. It focuses effort on the connections that matter most, without pretending the future is perfectly predictable.

You don’t need to understand every line on the map to understand the vision. What matters is the direction: toward a safer, more connected network.

What This Sets Up Next

This article is about orientation.

In the weeks ahead, we’ll explain:

  • The values guiding 15×30
  • How trails are designed to be safe and accessible
  • What it takes to fund and build a connected network

For now, the key idea is simple:  15×30 is about turning individual trail segments into a system that works.

And that work is already underway.

Join the Conversation

15×30 is a community effort, and this rollout is meant to be a dialogue.

What questions do you have after reading this?
Is there a place you’d love to see better connected, or part of the map you’d like us to explain more clearly?

If you’re reading this on our website, you’re welcome to leave a comment below.
You can also reach out anytime through our contact page:
https://www.greencrescenttrail.org/contact/

Your questions and feedback help shape what we share next.

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15 Miles by 2030: A New Chapter for the Green Crescent Trail

The Green Crescent Trail has a new goal:

15 miles of connected walking and biking routes by 2030.

Not scattered sidewalks.
Not isolated greenways.

A safe, usable network that links:

  • Neighborhoods to schools
  • Parks to downtowns
  • Campuses to surrounding communities

The goal is simple: make it safer and easier to move around our community on foot or by bike.

Introducing the 15×30 Campaign

Green Crescent Trail - 15x30 Campaign Map

Green Crescent Trail: Open & Usable Today (green) | Planned Connections (orange)

The Green Crescent Trail isn’t one long path built from end to end, like our neighbor the Swamp Rabbit Trail.

It’s a network.

That network includes:

  • Greenways and sidepaths
  • Safer street crossings
  • Improved on-street connections
  • Natural surface paths (in some areas)
  • Clear signage and wayfinding

Some segments are already complete. Others are under construction. Some are feasible in the near term. A few will require creativity, partnership, and opportunity.

The goal is to complete and connect enough of these pieces to create a functional 15-mile network by 2030.

Where We Are Today

Fortunately, the foundation is already here.

Thanks to our city, state, and university partners, 9.8 miles of trail are already open and usable across our communities. 

Families use them. Students rely on them. Neighbors experience them every day.

But many of these miles don’t yet connect. Some segments lack clear trailheads or signage, making the system harder to navigate.

The 15×30 campaign is about finishing those connections and building the missing pieces that make the whole system work. 

Why Connection Matters

When trails connect, communities thrive.

A connected network means:

  • Safer routes for kids and families
  • Better access to daily physical activity
  • Stronger connections between towns and campuses
  • More visibility and foot traffic for local businesses
  • A higher quality of life for residents and students

That’s why this campaign focuses on the overall network. It’s those connections that unlock the most benefit for the community.

What It Will Take

Reaching 15 miles by 2030 will require coordinated effort across our area. 

Cities.
Counties.
State agencies.
Schools and institutions.
Private partners.
And continued grassroots support from people like you.

Infrastructure projects take time. Funding must be secured. Plans must align. 

But the momentum is real, and the groundwork has already been laid.

We believe this goal is both ambitious and achievable.

What Comes Next

In the weeks ahead, we’ll share more about:

  • How the 15×30 network will work
  • The essential partnerships needed to make progress
  • What local landmarks we’re trying to connect
  • The standards that guide design and safety
  • How you’ll begin to see visible progress

This campaign isn’t about one project. It’s about building a system that serves the greater Clemson-Central-Pendleton area for decades.

The Next 5 Years Will Shape the Next 50

The Green Crescent Trail has always been a community-driven effort.

So, to help us move the 15×30 forward, please:

  • Share this article with a friend by text, email, or on social media
  • Leave a comment or contact us your thoughts, ideas, and suggestions
  • Consider donating your time or money to help us move this project forward

With shared commitment, we can complete a trail network that reflects our values and leaves a lasting legacy.

Let’s connect the places we love and build the future of our communities together!

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A Simple Question That Led to the Green Crescent Trail

In 2014, I attended a community meeting about the City of Clemson’s comprehensive plan.

Like most people in the room, I talked about how much I loved living here.

The sense of community.
The natural beauty.
The energy that comes from being a university town.

Clemson is a special place.

But there was also a shared frustration.

Despite how much we loved our community, we all agreed on something uncomfortable but obvious.

It was unsafe and difficult to walk or bike in many parts of our town.

It Started at a Community Meeting

At some point during the meeting, I raised my hand and asked the city planner a simple question.

“Is anyone actually working on this?”

Her name was Jennifer Folz, and her answer changed everything for me.

She told me about a group of Clemson University students who had been working on an idea called the Green Crescent Trail.

Their vision was simple but powerful.

A connected network of safe paths linking neighborhoods, parks, schools, downtowns, and natural spaces across our community.

It wasn’t a finished plan. It wasn’t funded. And it wasn’t widely known.

But I was instantly convinced that it was exactly the kind of idea our community needed.

An Idea That Wouldn’t Let Go

A few of us who heard about the Green Crescent Trail couldn’t let it go.

We started meeting informally.

Those meetings slowly turned into something more organized.

Eventually, they became a nonprofit.

And over time, that early idea turned into real trails you can walk, run, and ride on today.

The rest, as they say, is history.

Where I Walk, Run, and Bike Today

These days, I walk or run on Berkeley Drive almost every day.

It’s close to my house.
It’s familiar.
It’s become part of my routine.

And soon, the City of Clemson will soon be constructing a separated Green Crescent Trail along the side of Berkeley Drive.

When I want to slow down, my favorite places to walk are the South Carolina Botanical Garden and the Clemson University Forest.

Those natural spaces are true gems.

We are incredibly lucky to have them woven into our community.

When I bike, my favorite spot is the Southern Wesleyan University bike trail.

It’s approachable.
It’s fun.
It’s welcoming.

You don’t have to be an expert.

You just get to enjoy being outside.

I’ve lived in many parts of our community over the years.

As a student at Clemson University.
In Central when I graduated.
And now, in the City of Clemson.

Each place gave me a slightly different perspective.

But I always had the same underlying appreciation for what this area could be.

Why the Green Crescent Trail Matters So Much

That’s why I believe the Green Crescent Trail is the most important public project of our generation.

Not because it’s flashy.
And not because it’s just about trails.

The Green Crescent Trail matters because it improves public health by giving people low-cost, easy access to movement.

It strengthens local businesses and tourism. Just as trails have done in places like Greenville, Travelers Rest, and Easley.

It creates everyday moments of connection. Neighbors bumping into each other in real life.

It helps ease the growing pains we’re experiencing as small towns become small cities.

And it preserves the character that makes people want to live here in the first place.

It builds a transportation network that doesn’t require a car for every single trip.

I’ve never seen another project that can positively impact almost everyone in our community in so many different ways.

That’s why I’m involved.

And that’s why I care so deeply about seeing this vision continue to take shape.

This Is How Change Actually Happens

The Green Crescent Trail didn’t start with a big announcement.

It didn’t start with a major donor.

It started with a simple question at a community meeting.

And with people who cared enough to keep showing up.

If you’ve ever walked a trail, felt safer crossing a street, or simply enjoyed seeing people out moving and connecting, you’re already part of this story.

If this story resonates with you, there are many simple ways to support the Green Crescent Trail.

You can share our updates.
Show up to community meetings.
Walk the trail.
Tell a friend why it matters to you.

This project has always moved forward because regular people cared enough to get involved.

We’re grateful to have you alongside us.

— Chad Carson
Founding Board Member
Friends of the Green Crescent

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Why Central Has a 585-Foot ‘Random’ Trail

If you’ve driven in Central near Bolick Field recently, you may have noticed a short but unusually wide sidewalk next to Mugshot Coffee — about 585 feet long, 10 feet wide, and not connected to much of anything.

It looks a little random, doesn’t it?

If you’ve ever wondered why it’s there, the backstory helps explain how public trail projects really come together.

Red arrows point to the “random” 585-foot segment of the Green Crescent Trail near Bolick Field in Central

A Small Segment With a Specific Purpose

This 585-foot concrete path was completed in summer 2023 by Foothills Contracting for $151,000.

It was funded by:

  • $100,000 from the federal Recreational Trails Grant (administered by SCPRT)
  • The remainder from the Town of Central

It’s built to full Green Crescent Trail standards — a sturdy, 10-foot-wide off-road path meant to support people walking, biking, and rolling.

So why did this small piece get built years before the rest of the project?

Because This Piece Wasn’t in SCDOT’s Right-of-Way

The 585 random trail (can we call it Bolick Curve?) is in green on this map. The yellow lines will be built by the SCDOT in 2026.

The larger downtown-to-SWU trail is being designed and constructed by the South Carolina Department of Transportation.

But this particular 585-foot section sits outside SCDOT’s right-of-way. In practical terms, the state cannot build permanent infrastructure on land it doesn’t control.

For that reason, the SCDOT asked the Town of Central to build it.

And it’s telling that the Town of Central quickly moved ahead and built their piece by summer of 2023.

The SCDOT portion? We’re still waiting.

More on that shortly.

But this situation exposes the messy reality of trail building projects like ours:

  • different agencies own different pieces
  • grant timelines don’t always align
  • some segments are ready to go before others

That’s how you end up with short, isolated parts of larger projects built first.

What’s Coming Next: The Bigger Trail in 2026

Widened sidewalks and a new sidepath will be built along Hwy 93

The remaining portion of the trail along Hwy 93 — from the downtown Caboose to Tarrant Street — is scheduled for SCDOT construction in fall 2026.

When that work happens, this short 585-foot segment will finally connect into something meaningful:
a continuous walking and biking trail running along Hwy 93.

But there’s another part of the story you should know.

Why the Trail Won’t Yet Reach Southern Wesleyan University

When this project first began back in 2016, the vision was to connect:

Downtown Central → All the way into the heart of the SWU campus

The idea was:

  • Phase 1 – build the trail to the edge of SWU’s property
  • Phase 2 – SWU would then build the final segment onto campus

But over several years, two things happened:

  1. Long delays in the SCDOT-managed portion
  2. Leadership changes at SWU, which meant the original connection plan never materialized

By the time SCDOT moved forward with detailed engineering, they did not have an agreed-upon route on to the SWU campus.

And without a confirmed connection point, SCDOT engineers insisted on ending their project at the intersection with Tarrant Street, about 300 feet short of the SWU property line.

So How Will the Trail Reach SWU Now?

The blue lines represent 3 different options that SWU officials and the Town of Central are discussing for a future trail connection

The Town of Central is actively talking with SWU leadership about where the trail should enter campus.
Once there’s an agreed-upon route, that last 300 feet — plus any path through campus — will be built as a Phase 2 project with its own design, funding, and construction timeline.

It’s not ideal that the connection didn’t happen as part of the original project.

But the door is still open, and the conversations are ongoing.

A Realistic Look at Public Projects

This is a messy story that’s still ongoing.

And personally, this was a tough pill to swallow as a trail advocate. I’m frustrated that this long-time project won’t end on SWU’s campus yet.

But it’s also a lesson about the tough reality of trail building, which involves:

  • multiple government layers
  • strict grant rules
  • private property boundaries
  • right-of-way limits
  • leadership turnovers
  • slow-moving timelines

That combination often results in:

  • parts of projects built out of order
  • temporary gaps
  • phases that depend on later partners
  • short segments waiting for the rest to catch up

I’m told that unfortunately this is normal — but the details are rarely visible to the public.

So, I wanted to share this story to help set expectations for how and why things are unfolding the way they are.

Where Things Stand Today

Here’s the current, honest status:

  • The 585-foot Central section (Bolick Curve) is finished
  • The downtown-to-Tarrant Street trail is scheduled for construction in fall 2026
  • The connection onto SWU’s campus will be a future phase
  • Conversations between the Town and SWU are active
  • The long-term goal of reaching campus is still alive

The short segment we see today may not be useful yet, but it’s a piece of a larger puzzle that’s slowly coming together.

The important part is that progress is happening — even if it arrives in small, imperfect steps.

We’ll keep sharing updates on our email list as each piece of the project moves forward.

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How Trails Turn Empty Buildings Into Local Landmarks

One hot morning this past summer, I was walking the Doodle Trail in Easley with my parents.
I’ve walked the Doodle Trail many times — it’s an easy, peaceful path with just a few joggers or cyclists passing by.

But this particular morning as we rounded a curve, something new and unusual caught my eye.

From Eyesore to a Welcoming Gathering Place

Where there had once been an abandoned commercial building, I saw something that looked like a mix between a football tailgate party, a tiki bar, and a concert venue.

It had real stadium seats, a fire pit, and a homemade music stage! It just felt like the kind of place that belongs next to a trail.

Jerry used unique materials – like real stadium seats and bar stools

Take a seat on a bike-barstool or let the kids play on the astroturf

This quirky beer garden was called Sip & Ride, and Jerry, a local contractor and the venue’s owner, happened to be repairing something as we walked by.

We struck up a conversation, and he shared how he’d bought the building when it was nothing more than an eyesore. He saw potential where others saw decay — a place that could bring people together.

Jerry reused whatever he could find: astroturf from the University of South Carolina’s old football field, painted sheet metal from a job site, diner stools from an old café. Bit by bit, he built an outdoor space that felt alive — part workshop, part backyard hangout, part local landmark.

Relax in rocking chairs around the fire pit while taking in tunes

You can drive and park to Sip & Ride at 400 Gentry Memorial Hwy, but my preferred arrival is by trail (parking at the Doodle Park).

As I stood there that morning, the venue wasn’t open for business yet. But I could just imagine neighbors meeting for a drink, families walking in from the Doodle Trail, and everyone enjoying live music from a seat in the bleachers or at a bicycle-seat barstool!

It had the kind of charm and local energy that makes you want to stay awhile.

And as it turns out, Sip & Ride isn’t the only example of new life growing along this trail.

From Textile Mill to Trail Destination

Just down the trail, another stop caught my attention: the Southern Weaving Food Hall, a massive brick building that once housed a textile mill built in 1900.

Today, it’s a beautiful mix of old and new — the tall windows, exposed beams, and industrial bones are all still there, but now they frame several local restaurants, a tap house, and a spacious outdoor amphitheater for live music.

You can drive there if you want — there’s a big parking lot out front — but it’s definitely got a trail vibe. The Doodle Trail runs right in front of it, and the outdoor space feels connected to that same spirit of recreation, creativity, and community.

As the owners put it on their website: “We’ve brought together a community of chefs, makers, and food lovers under one roof. More than just a place to eat, our food hall is a destination where every flavor tells a story.”

That idea — connection and creativity — is exactly what happens when a trail is done right.

I enjoy walking the trail with family or friends

The Power of Trails to Grow Local Business

This is what I’ve learned after visits to the Doodle Trail and many others:

Trails don’t just connect parks — they connect people to local business and culture.

People who use trails are often looking for more than exercise — they’re looking for experiences. Trails bring that kind of energy to a community. They want to stop, talk, eat, listen to music, or grab a drink with friends.

Trails are like miracle grow for unique local businesses!

When people walk, run, or bike, they naturally slow down. They notice small things — a mural, a coffee shop, a garden, a live band playing near the trailhead. And when you have that kind of organic foot traffic, it creates opportunities for entrepreneurs like Jerry to build something authentic and local.

What It Could Mean in the Clemson Area

Walking the Doodle Trail that day, I couldn’t help but imagine what this could look like in our own backyard — along the Green Crescent Trail in Clemson, Central, and Pendleton.

We already have the creativity, the talent, and the love for our towns. We just need the connected spaces that make projects like this possible.

Because trails aren’t just about transportation. They’re about transformation.
They make it easier to walk, bike, and connect — but they also make it easier for local businesses to thrive and for communities to grow stronger together.

If you love places like Sip & Ride and Southern Weaving, just imagine what could happen when the Green Crescent Trail is fully connected!

More music. More art. More local flavor. More life along the trail.

That’s the kind of community we’re building — one step, one mile, one story at a time.

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