A New Creekside Trail Connection Could Link Nettles Park to the Heart of Clemson

Easements nearly complete for the next major section of the Green Crescent Trail

Proposed Green Crescent Trail segment along 18-Mile Creek — connecting Nettles Park to the Berkeley Drive section and beyond.

If you’ve ever visited Nettles Park, you know it’s one of the area’s most popular destinations – home to sports fields, pickleball and tennis courts, a dog park, playgrounds, and wooded walking trails. But getting there safely without a car has always been a challenge.

That could soon change.

A new trail segment planned along 18-Mile Creek would connect Nettles Park directly to the rest of Clemson’s growing Green Crescent Trail network, making it possible to walk, run, or bike from Nettles Park to Patrick Square and even Clemson University on a continuous, protected path!

A Scenic Creekside Route

The trail will follow 18-Mile Creek, creating a peaceful, shaded connection between neighborhoods, parks, and Patrick Square.

The proposed segment would follow 18-Mile Creek, weaving through a natural green corridor that runs between Issaqueena Trail and Central Road. Designed as a 10-foot-wide paved, multi-use path, it would provide a safe, scenic, and off-road route for walkers, runners, and cyclists.

In the near term, it would connect Nettles Park to the Berkeley Drive section of the Green Crescent Trail now preparing for construction. Long-term, the same corridor could be extended north toward The Grange neighborhood and the new AnMed medical facility being built in Central—forming one of the region’s most beautiful continuous greenways.

Nearing the Finish Line on Easements

For the past several months, Friends of the Green Crescent has been working closely with four local property owners along the proposed route to secure recreational easements. These easements will allow the public trail to cross their land while keeping the property in private ownership.

“One easement has been signed and the other three are in the final stages of approval,” said Chad Carson, founding board member of the Friends of the Green Crescent. “Once they’re complete, the City of Clemson can move forward with final design and cost estimates.”

The City of Clemson is leading the design, construction, and ongoing maintenance of the trail, and may have funding available within its existing budget—depending on the final cost of the Berkeley Drive section. The South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) will also be involved to ensure safe crossings at Issaqueena Trail and Central Road.

Why This Connection Matters

Families and runners already enjoy Nettles Park and Patrick Square — this project would connect them safely to the rest of Clemson.

This short section of trail could have a big impact. It would link Nettles Park—and its many recreation options—to Clemson’s broader trail and sidewalk system for the first time. Because Nettles already connects to Patrick Square, the new path would also create a safe, direct way for families, students, and visitors to reach Patrick Square’s restaurants and town center without driving.

In the future, it could become the backbone of a larger creekside greenway extending north through The Grange and toward Central—offering miles of shaded trail along one of the area’s most scenic natural corridors.

Looking Ahead

Every new section of the Green Crescent Trail brings us closer to a fully connected Clemson.


With easements nearly complete and design coordination underway, this project is closer than ever to becoming a reality. It’s not 100 percent certain yet—but all signs point in a promising direction.

As the Friends of the Green Crescent team often says, each new section brings us one step closer to connecting the places we love. And few connections would be more meaningful than this one—linking the city’s most active park to the rest of Clemson by foot and by bike.

Stay tuned for updates as the 18-Mile Creek trail moves from plans on paper to pavement on the ground.

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Trails We Love: Skardon Trail, A Path of Purpose and Perseverance

Some trails are loved for their views. Others for their peaceful solitude. And then there are those like the Skardon Trail, where every step carries the weight of history and the spirit of a hero.

Tucked quietly near the entrance to Clemson University, next to the Douthit Hills parking lot, this short, one-third-mile stretch might be easy to miss. But for those who know the story, it’s one of the most powerful trails in the Upstate.

A peaceful place to sit before or after your walk on the Ben Skardon Trail

A Trail with a Legacy

The Skardon Trail, also affectionately known as “Sylvan Delight,” is named in honor of Brig. Gen. Ben Skardon – a Clemson alumnus, decorated war hero, beloved professor, and survivor of the Bataan Death March. Skardon, who graduated in 1938, passed away in 2021 at the age of 104. In July 2022, on what would have been his 105th birthday, Clemson dedicated this very path to him.

For Skardon, this wasn’t just a trail. It was a training ground.

In his late 80s and into his early 100s, Skardon used this shaded path to prepare for the Bataan Memorial Death March – a grueling annual event at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico that honors those who endured one of World War II’s most harrowing ordeals. In 2006, at age 88, he became the only Bataan survivor to complete part of the march on foot. He returned 12 more times.

 

More Than Just a Walk

The trail connects the Clemson campus to Woodland Way, the neighborhood where Skardon once lived. The walk itself is serene, winding through trees and gently sloping terrain. But what makes it special is the quiet presence of legacy: walking here is a chance to reflect, to connect, and to remember a man whose resilience made national headlines and inspired generations.

How to Visit

The Skardon Trail is open to the public and easily accessible. Visitors can park at the Douthit Hills lot—just be mindful of weekday campus parking rules. If you’re lucky enough to visit around mid-July, you might catch the annual celebration of Skardon’s birthday, when Clemson alumni, ROTC cadets, and community members gather to honor his life.

Following a brief dedication, guests are invited to walk the trail in his memory – a simple, meaningful act that ties the past to the present.

Why We Love It:

Although the Skardon Trail is not officially part of the Green Crescent Trail system, it’s one of our favorite local walks. It’s a place to stretch your legs, clear your mind, and walk in the footsteps of history.

Thank you to Clemson Mayor Robert Halfacre for the encouragement to share details about this trail and for the pictures. He’s a regular walker on the trail so you may see him out there!

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A Safer Way to Walk in Central Is Within Reach

What if you could walk safely from your apartment or neighborhood in Central to the library, Town Hall, or your next CAT bus stop … without worrying about traffic, narrow shoulders, or missing sidewalks?

What if families could walk together after dinner or a group of friends could go for a jog without needing to drive somewhere first?

That’s the promise behind a small but important trail project near the Rec Center in Central.

And it’s nearly shovel-ready.

A proposed rendering of the new trail connection along Cross Creek Road.

Where Things Stand Today

In 2024, the Town of Central completed the first phase of Green Crescent Trail in Central – a beautiful, paved half-mile path winding through the trees and the disc golf course.

(1) Ribbon cutting of phase 1 (2) View from phase 1 in the woods

It starts at a small trailhead parking area on Cross Creek Road and ends at Spring Forest Rd.

But for residents living nearby, the trail stops short of where they actually need to go.

Current conditions with no sidewalks along Cross Creek Rd

To reach the library, Town Hall, the CAT bus stop, or other destinations around town, walkers are forced onto Cross Creek Road—a street with no sidewalk and fast-moving vehicles.

It’s not just unpleasant. It’s unsafe.

And for people who don’t live within walking distance but want to use the trail, there’s no safe way to extend their route. The Rec Center or library might offer parking, but right now there’s no way to go far on foot from there.

A Small Project With a Big Impact

The next segment of trail—called Phase 2—would close this critical gap.

The new 0.27-mile section would extend from the current trailhead and wrap around the Rec Center, connecting to nearby sidewalks and unlocking access to the rest of town.

This short section of trail (shown in red) would connect over 1,000 nearby residents to civic and community destinations in Central.

The plan calls for a 10-foot-wide, paved side path, separated from traffic and designed for people of all ages and abilities. It would complete a safe, continuous connection between:

  • Spring Forest Subdivision, The Whitley, University Village, The Kenyon, and other nearby residential communities
  • The Central-Clemson Rec Center
  • The Central Branch of the Library
  • Central Town Hall
  • CAT bus stops
  • And eventually, the broader Green Crescent Trail system reaching Downtown Central, Southern Wesleyan, and beyond

Who This Will Serve

More than 1,000 people live in apartments within walking distance of this short trail connection. That’s over 20% of Central’s total population, most of whom currently have no safe pedestrian route to public services, greenspaces, or even each other.

But this trail isn’t just for nearby residents.

It also creates a safe walking route for:

  • Parents and grandparents who want a peaceful stroll after parking at the library
  • Students walking to a bus stop or cutting through town
  • Runners and walkers who want to exercise without driving somewhere first
  • Anyone who values the freedom to move safely and confidently on foot

What’s Needed to Make It Happen

The Town of Central is ready to build the trail. A preliminary budget of $275,000 to $350,000 has been developed. But construction won’t begin until the funding comes together.

Support will need to come from a mix of sources:

  • Town funds and capital improvement planning
  • Grants from the South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism
  • Private donors and local champions like you

Let’s Connect Central – Safely

Every trail is more than just concrete. It’s a connection between people and places.

This one connects Central’s residents to their own town—its library, civic spaces, sidewalks, and larger trail system. It helps create a safer, more walkable community for everyone, not just those who live nearby.

If you want to help:

  • Share this article with a neighbor or friend 
  • Tell local official you want to fund this trail
  • Sign up for updates from Friends of the Green Crescent
  • Support future fundraising efforts when the time comes

Let’s make walking easier, safer, and more enjoyable in Central!

In the meantime, you can help us by sharing this with your friends, family, and colleagues. 

Together, let’s keep making walking and biking in our community a little easier, safer, and more enjoyable for everyone!

Thanks for reading!

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New Safe Path for Walkers, Runners, and Cyclists

A few years ago, I took a hard fall biking along Berkeley Drive and broke my collarbone after hitting a storm drain dangerously located in the middle of the bike lane.

On that same stretch of road, elementary school kids, runners, and walkers travel without any protection from fast-moving, distracted drivers who often swerve off the road.

But now, a long-awaited solution is finally on the way.

Coming Soon: 1.1 Miles of Protected Path

This fall, construction will begin on a brand-new 1.1-mile section of the Green Crescent Trail (GCT) along Berkeley Drive. The 10-foot-wide cement path will run alongside the road but be fully separated by a raised curb – providing a safe, off-road space for walkers, runners, and people on bikes.

When finished in early 2026, the trail will safely connect more than 800 nearby homes to key destinations like Ashley Dearing Park, Clemson Elementary, Clemson Park, and the original phase of the Green Crescent Trail – which already links all the way to Clemson University.

Other than the green grass (won’t be included!), this is what the new trail will look like

Why This Trail Matters

For years, Berkeley Drive has been a missing link in Clemson’s walking and biking network, and a dangerous one. While the road has a sidewalk and a wide shoulder, it also has unsafe obstacles, like the storm drain I ran into. And without a raised curb, fast-moving cars pose a real danger to pedestrians.

This new trail changes that. By creating a protected, off-road space, it gives kids a safer route to school and residents a better way to reach parks. It also supports a more active, healthy lifestyle by making walking, jogging, and biking safer and more appealing for everyone.

Why This Section Is So Strategic

This section of trail is strategically important for several key reasons.

First, it will make a popular walking and biking route to Clemson Elementary School significantly safer for children and their parents.

Second, it will expand the existing Green Crescent Trail network to more than 4.7 miles of continuous trails. That means you’ll be able to safely walk, run, or bike between three city parks, Clemson University, and Clemson Elementary – without needing to drive or compete with traffic.

Third, it sets the stage for future connections to other key areas like Nettles Park, Patrick Square, and the Grange.

Years of Planning and Saving

This new section of trail is the result of years of planning, collaboration, and shared vision by community members, volunteers, and local elected leaders. While it was originally proposed in the 2016 Green Crescent Trail feasibility study, another nearby section (connecting Clemson Elementary, Clemson Park, and Gateway Park) was built first.

More recently, the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) added Berkeley Drive to its repaving schedule for early 2026. This created an opportunity to save money and time by building this segment of the Green Crescent Trail in coordination with that work.

The City of Clemson will lead construction and cover all planning and construction costs, using funds set aside over multiple years through the city’s general budget and approved by the Clemson City Council.

Looking Ahead

Angel the trail dog definitely approves of this new section!

Our Friends of the Green Crescent non-profit believes that projects like this one are about more than just concrete and construction timelines. 

When we create space for people, whether they’re walking to school, pushing a stroller, or taking an evening stroll, we invest in the kind of place we want the greater Clemson area to be.
A place where it’s safe and easy to move, even without a car.
A place where families feel comfortable letting their kids walk or ride to school.
A place where you can connect with your neighbors in real life. 

With every new section of trail, we move a little closer to that vision. And we’re grateful to the City of Clemson, the SCDOT, and all of you – the local supporters who are helping to make it happen.

We’ll continue to share updates as construction begins. In the meantime, you can help us by sharing this with your friends, family, and colleagues. 

Together, let’s keep making walking and biking in our community a little easier, safer, and more enjoyable for everyone!

Thanks for reading!

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Virtual Tour of Green Crescent Trails Map

This is a virtual tour of the map of the proposed #GreenCrescentTrails in the #Clemson #Pendleton #Central area of South Carolina. You will learn about the priority projects and where the likely first segments of the trail will be.

If you’d like to explore the Green Crescent Trails map yourself, you can find it here: https://www.greencrescenttrail.org/maps/

Coming soon we’ll also share a video of the potential construction costs and how this trail network could be funded.

WANT TO HELP? Please contact local public officials to tell them you want them to fund the Green Crescent Trail asap. https://www.greencrescenttrail.org/how-to-contact-local-government-officials/

Thanks for your support!
Do you have any questions, comments, or suggestions? Leave them in the comment below.
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Green Crescent Trail in the News!

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New Green Crescent Trail Kiosks in Clemson

Before the end of 2018, six informational kiosks will be installed at strategic locations along the future Green Crescent Trails system in Clemson.  These kiosks will provide maps, photos, and other information to inform walkers and bikers of current and planned pathways around the city.

On November 7th, 2016 the Clemson City Council officially voted on a resolution to endorse the Green Crescent Trail master plan for the City of Clemson and beyond. In this resolution, City Council also allocated $25,000 from that year’s budget for installing “wayfinding, kiosks, and maps along all of the Green Crescent Trail routes within the City of Clemson.”

Map of the proposed Green Crescent Trails, which includes over 35 miles of walking & biking trails in the Clemson-Central-Pendleton area

Kiosk Locations

The Friends of the Green Crescent Trail (FGC) and City of Clemson staff members chose strategic locations for the kiosks.  These locations, which will be key hubs for the future trails, include:

    1. Ashley Dearing Park off of Berkeley Drive
    2. The Green Crescent Pedestrian Bridge off of Berkeley Drive
    3. Gateway Park off of Highway 93
    4. Clemson Park off of Frontage Road
    5. The Clemson-Central Recreation Center off of Highway 93
    6. Nettles Park off of Central Road

Each kiosk will include green metal roofing, a stone and concrete base, and a 3-sided information panel. The panels will be used to display maps, wayfinding information, and potential future trail sponsors.

Kiosk example - Green Crescent Trail - Clemson

Sample of the Green Crescent Trail kiosks being installed in Clemson

Next Steps After the Kiosks

The kiosks are a small, first step towards implementation of the bigger trail system. Immediately after installation, the FGC group plans to work on additional steps. For example, the group will request that Clemson City Council fund actual trail improvements between several of the kiosks.

More specifically, this new proposal will include improved safety markings, crosswalks, and bike-lane barriers along Berkeley Drive. And the proposal will call for new paths as well. For example, it will request extending the existing trail network at Ashley Dearing Park/Tottie’s Place. And it will also request new trails at Clemson Park that connect to the existing Green Crescent Bridge near Clemson Elementary School.

For more details on the kiosk installation and the proposed Berkeley Drive improvements, the FGC group will make a presentation at the December 3rd, 2018 Clemson City Council meeting.

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Abernathy Boardwalk Build

The Friends of the Green Crescent Trail are proud to support the City of Clemson’s volunteer effort to restore the boardwalks of the Larry W. Abernathy Waterfront Park March 19-24. For more information, contact Lindsey Newton at (864) 653-2030 or lnewton@cityofclemson.org.

 

 

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Upstate Business Journal: Green Crescent Trail to connect community and nature around Clemson

Recent article by the Upstate Business Journal about the Green Crescent Trail in Clemson, Central, and Pendleton.

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