More Than a New Trail: What’s Coming to Berkeley Drive

If you’ve driven along Berkeley Drive lately, you’ve probably noticed the construction. What’s being built there is much more than a wider sidewalk.

The City of Clemson is creating a 1.5-mile multi-use path between Frontage Road and Issaqueena Trail, along with a new public green space called Berkeley Orchard Park.

Together, the projects will create a safer walking and biking route, a new place to enjoy nature, and another important piece of Clemson’s growing network of connected parks and trails.

From a 4.5-Foot Sidewalk to a 10-Foot Trail

The most visible change will be along Berkeley Drive itself. The existing sidewalk is being widened from roughly 4.5 feet to 10 feet, creating enough space for people walking, running, biking, pushing strollers, and rolling to comfortably share the route.

The project also includes enhanced crosswalks, ADA improvements, drainage work, and improved parking at Ashley Dearing Park. Those details may sound small individually, but together they change how the corridor works.

Instead of simply providing a narrow sidewalk beside a busy road, Berkeley Drive will become a much more useful route connecting neighborhoods, Clemson Elementary, Clemson Park, Ashley Dearing Park, and other parts of the Green Crescent Trail network.

A New 4.36-Acre Park Along the Way

The trail will also lead to something completely new. At the corner of Berkeley Drive and Issaqueena Trail, the City is developing Berkeley Orchard Park, a roughly 4.36-acre property acquired in part with support from the South Carolina Conservation Bank.

The City’s vision goes beyond a traditional neighborhood park. Plans call for native plantings, decorative fruit trees, access to Rock Creek, reflection areas, benches, parking, and spaces designed for nature play and exploration. Construction documents also include details such as a water sensory play area, boulders, six benches, drinking-water features, and a pet fountain.

The City has described the broader vision as an urban oasis for wildlife and passive recreation, with an emphasis on preserving green space in a part of Clemson where development is increasingly dense. That may ultimately be one of the most interesting parts of the project. Berkeley Orchard won’t simply be somewhere the trail passes through. It will be a destination of its own.

Restoring Nature While Creating Access

There is also an environmental restoration component that is easy to miss if you only see the road construction. The City has already removed the house that previously sat on the property within the floodplain. The project also includes extensive native landscaping, improved water infrastructure, and natural gathering and reflection areas near Rock Creek.

City sustainability discussions have emphasized a more nature-based approach to managing the property, including reducing reliance on herbicides and fossil fuels. So this project is doing two things at once: creating better access for people while improving and preserving an important pocket of natural space.

Another Link in a Bigger Network

For Friends of the Green Crescent, that last piece is especially important.

This is a City of Clemson project, funded and constructed by the City. Our organization isn’t building it. But it illustrates exactly what a connected trail network can become when communities incorporate walking and biking infrastructure into larger park, road, and public-space projects.

The Berkeley Drive corridor will connect into existing portions of the Green Crescent Trail and help build toward a larger network vision linking Clemson’s city parks with Clemson University and, eventually, Nettles Park, Patrick Square, Pendleton, and Central.

Some of those connections already exist. Others still need easements, funding, design, or construction. But every completed link makes the entire system more useful. A trail becomes much more valuable when it takes you somewhere you actually want to go. And in this case, Clemson is creating both the route and a new destination.

That’s why what’s happening along Berkeley Drive is worth watching. It’s not simply a wider sidewalk.

It’s a new trail, a new park, safer crossings, restored green space, and another step toward a Clemson area where more of the places we use every day are connected on foot and by bike.

The City currently expects the project to be completed in early 2027, weather permitting.

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5K Race Recap: 258 Runners, 32 Sponsors and One Bright Night on the Trail

A Big Night for the Green Crescent Trail

What happens when you put more than 250 runners and walkers on the trail at dusk, add some lights, a little friendly competition and a community that believes in building better connections?

You get the first-ever Light the Trail 5K & Fun Run, presented by Indigo Advisors & Partners.

On Thursday, September 17, the Clemson-Central-Pendleton community came together for an evening that was about much more than finishing times. We celebrated the Green Crescent Trail, enjoyed being outside together and built momentum for a safer, healthier and more connected community.

And for a first-year event, you all showed up in a BIG way.

By the Numbers

The inaugural Light the Trail 5K & Fun Run welcomed 258 participants and received support from 32 sponsors.

Together, those sponsors contributed at least:

  • $9,400 in cash sponsorships
  • $5,100 in donated goods and services

That generosity helped turn an idea for a community 5K into a pretty special night on the trail.

And yes, there was also a race to run — and there were some seriously fast feet out there.

And the Winners Are…

Our overall male winner was 15-year-old Dyer Partridge of Clemson, who crossed the finish line in an impressive 17:20. Nicholas Tomlinson of Central finished second in 17:52, followed by Martin Tiller of Clemson in 18:04.

On the women’s side, Victoria Hammersmith of Greenville took the overall female title with a time of 18:15. Morgan Davis of Pendleton finished second in 20:05, with Mary Limber of Pendleton close behind at 20:09.

Congratulations to our winners — and to every person who ran, walked, cheered, volunteered, sponsored or otherwise helped bring the evening to life.

The Bigger Finish Line

One of our favorite things about the Light the Trail 5K was seeing so many different parts of our community together in one place.

Because that’s really what trails are all about.

Yes, trails give us places to run, walk, bike and exercise. But they also give kids safer ways to get around. They give neighbors places to bump into one another and families somewhere to take an evening walk. They connect neighborhoods, schools, businesses, parks and communities.

For one night, the Light the Trail 5K gave us a glimpse of what can happen when we make trails not just a way to get somewhere, but a place to come together.

And that’s a big part of the vision behind the Green Crescent Trail.

Our 15×30 Vision is working toward 15 connected miles of trail across Clemson, Central and Pendleton by 2030. Events like Light the Trail help introduce more people to that vision and build the community support needed to keep moving it forward.

Thank You for Lighting the Trail

To our 32 sponsors, our volunteers, our participants and everyone who worked behind the scenes: THANK YOU.

You took a brand-new idea and helped make the first Light the Trail 5K & Fun Run a success.

Most importantly, you reminded us what is possible when a community comes together around a shared vision for better connections.

Want to help us keep the momentum going? Share the Green Crescent Trail with a friend or neighbor who would love to see more trails, more connections and more events like this in our community.

Every new person who discovers the trail makes this movement a little stronger.

Here’s to many more miles — and many more nights together on the trail.

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Community Support Makes the Light the Trail 5K Possible

The Light the Trail 5K & Fun Run, presented by Indigo Advisors and Partners, is almost here, and before we make our way to the starting line, we want to recognize the incredible businesses, organizations, and community partners helping make this event possible.

Every sponsor represented below has chosen to invest in more than a race. They’re investing in the Green Crescent Trail and our vision for a safer, healthier, and more connected community.

Proceeds from the Light the Trail 5K support the Green Crescent Trail 15×30 Vision—our goal to create 15 connected miles of trail throughout Clemson, Central, and Pendleton by 2030. Sponsor support helps us continue working toward trail connections and amenities that make walking, running, biking, and simply getting around our communities safer and more enjoyable.

We are especially grateful to Indigo Advisors and Partners, our presenting sponsor, and to every sponsor who stepped forward to support this year’s event. From local businesses and professional organizations to community partners, their generosity demonstrates what can happen when a community comes together around a shared vision.

We encourage you to take a look at the sponsors below—and when you have the opportunity, support the businesses and organizations that support the Green Crescent Trail.

To all of our 2026 sponsors: thank you for helping us connect our communities, one mile at a time.

We’ll see you at the starting line on September 17!

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15×30 Update: Berkeley Drive breaks ground soon

Hey Green Crescent Trail friends,

Below is a quick update on progress towards our community’s goal of 15 miles of connected Green Crescent Trail by the year 2030 (aka 15×30).

Things are still moving forward!

🛠️ Under construction

Downtown / College Ave Streetscape (City of Clemson). Construction began in March and continues as of early July to make wider sidewalks, raised crosswalks, and other pedestrian-friendly spaces.

Right now the city has completed work on the Tiger Sports Shop / Tigertown side of the road and has moved to the opposite side (TDs/Loose Change).

Here are a few July 1st update pictures from the City of Clemson:


📋 In the works

Hwy 93 Sidepath (Town of Central). In March, the SC Department of Transportation approved a $589,302 bid from Southern Concrete & Construction to build this section of the Green Crescent Trail.

Per their contract, construction should be complete by November 30, 2026, and we’re hoping it will begin this summer.

This is a 0.635-mile sidepath connecting downtown Central to Tarrant St at the future Central Fire Station. We hope a future project will also connect to the campus of Southern Wesleyan University.

You can see a Facebook video update we made recently: https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1J6Wd2qxpt/

Berkeley Drive / Berkeley Orchard (City of Clemson). Construction is due to begin on this segment any day now in early July. 

On May 18th City Council voted to approve a contractor bid for the 1.5-mile sidepath between Frontage Rd and Issaqueena Trail. This will connect Clemson Elementary and Clemson Park to a new loop and green space called  Berkeley Orchard (corner of Issaqueena Trail and Berkeley Drive). 

You can see a short Facebook video update on this segment here: https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1Bchr13bQJ/ 

Green Crescent Trail Signage Plan (network-wide). We are still awaiting final designs from Guerilla Graphix on a unified signage system for trailheads and wayfinding across all GCT segments. 

Once the conceptual designs are finished, we plan to add new trailhead, wayfinding, and concrete logo stamps to existing Green Crescent Trail paths.

🔭 Future Plans

Nettles Park to Berkeley Orchard (City of Clemson). Still waiting on signatures for private easements. If they come through, design and construction can move forward on connecting the Berkeley Drive and Berkeley Orchard paths to Nettles Park.

The Big Picture

Several miles of new trail and pedestrian improvements are scheduled to come online in 2026. This could be the most fruitful year for the GCT in its history!

So with more trails finally being built, our top 2026 priority as an organization is to improve the visibility, wayfinding, and trailhead access of the existing and new Green Crescent Trail so that the network is more user friendly.

We’ll share more updates as we get them.

Thanks for your support!

Chad Carson
Founding Board Member
Friends of the Green Crescent

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Title Sponsor Announced: Indigo Advisors & Partners are the title sponsor of the Friends of Green Crescent Trail “Light the Trail 5K”

We’re excited to share some great news!
 
The Friends of the Green Crescent Trail is proud to announce that Indigo Advisors &Partners of Clemson has signed on as the Title Sponsor of the 2026 Light the Trail 5K.
 
Community partnerships like this make it possible for us to continue enhancing and promoting the Green Crescent Trail while creating fun, family-friendly events that bring people together. We are grateful for Indigo Advisors’ commitment to investing in the health, connectivity, and quality of life of our community.
 
At Indigo Advisors, helping families plan for the future is more than a profession—it’s a mission. Their team creates strategies that help clients navigate their financial futures with confidence. By combining the wisdom of experience with the continuity of a next-generation team, Indigo Advisors is committed to serving families across generations and building lasting relationships rooted in trust. Their focus on helping people prepare for what’s ahead makes them a natural partner for an organization dedicated to creating a stronger, healthier future for our community.
 
Please join us in welcoming Indigo Advisors as the presenting sponsor of this year’s race. We look forward to seeing runners, walkers, families, and community supporters on race day as we come together to celebrate the Green Crescent Trail and the partners who help make it possible.
 
Thank you, Indigo Advisors, for helping us light the trail forward.
You can sign up to run in the race HERE
Your business can sign up to sponsor the race HERE
Securities and investment advisory services offered through &Partners, LLC, registered broker-dealer and investment adviser, member FINRA and SIPC.
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May 2026: Updates on our 15×30 Campaign Progress

It’s been a busy month across the Green Crescent Trail. A new path opened in Clemson, two more are about to break ground, and Pendleton launched a digital walking tour. Here’s where things stand.

Recently Opened

Ashley Dearing Park Loop (City of Clemson). Foothills Contracting finished a quarter-mile concrete loop around the Ashley Dearing baseball field and playground. Connects to existing paths in Tottie’s Place.

 

Under Construction

Downtown / College Ave Streetscape (City of Clemson). Wider sidewalks, raised crosswalks, and pedestrian improvements have been underway since March. Project details from the City of Clemson.

 

In the Works

Hwy 93 Sidepath (Town of Central). SCDOT approved Southern Concrete & Construction’s bid in March. Construction begins this summer on a 0.635-mile sidepath linking downtown Central to the future fire station at Tarrant St.

Berkeley Drive / Berkeley Orchard (City of Clemson). City Council approved a contractor bid for a 1.5-mile sidepath between Frontage Rd and Issaqueena Trail.

Green Crescent Trail Signage Plan. Guerilla Graphix is developing a unified signage system for trailheads and wayfinding across all GCT segments. The goal is consistent navigation across every town.

Future Plans

Pendleton-to-Clemson Connection. GCT and Pendleton Pride in Motion are applying for a Rails-to-Trails grant to fund a design and feasibility study for a new route via Central Rd, a more feasible alternative to the N. Mechanic Street route.

Nettles Park to Berkeley Orchard. Working on private easement signatures. If complete, this connects Berkeley Drive and Berkeley Orchard paths to Nettles Park.

New resource

Pendleton Walking Tour App. Clemson University’s Center for Geospatial Technologies partnered with Pendleton Pride in Motion on a digital walking tour. Available as an interactive app and story map.

 

The Big Picture

The network now has over 10 in-use miles. With Hwy 93 and Berkeley Drive under construction this summer, that climbs to 12 miles. Five miles to go to hit the 15×30 goal.

Still a lot of work to get existing miles signed for easier navigation. But the trajectory is right.

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A Look Ahead (and a Big Year on the Horizon)

Hey Green Crescent Trail friends,

Last weekend, our board gathered for a working retreat.

No speeches. No press releases. Just a room full of people asking hard questions about where the Green Crescent Trail goes next.

A few takeaways I wanted to share with you.

This work has grown bigger than individual trail segments.

We still care deeply about every connection. But much of our conversation focused on the bigger picture:

how walking and biking fit into the long-term health, safety, and livability of the Clemson, Central, and Pendleton communities.

That perspective is shaping our decisions more than ever.

We’re narrowing our focus to unlock bigger impact.

Instead of chasing every possible project, we’re concentrating on the segments that move the needle most. The ones that connect key destinations, improve safety in meaningful ways, and make everyday walking and biking more realistic for more people.

It’s one of the lessons we learned the hard way over the last 10 years!

We’ve been working on something big.

We spent a good portion of the retreat refining a long-range vision that puts real numbers and timelines around what “success” actually looks like for the Green Crescent. It’s ambitious, practical, and rooted in what we’ve learned over the past decade.

We’re not ready to roll it out publicly just yet, but be on the lookout soon!

And 2026 has real potential.

If a few key pieces fall into place, this year could be the single biggest year of actual trail construction in our 10+ year history. Not studies. Not plans. Concrete, asphalt, and new places to walk and ride.

That possibility came from years of groundwork, relationships, and persistence from everyone involved, including from our local government partners and from individual supporters like you.

Your support still matters. A lot.

As projects move closer to reality, public voices, local advocacy, and community buy-in become even more important. Progress at this stage is as much about people as it is about engineering.

We’ll share more soon. For now, I wanted you to know that the work continues, the direction is clear, and the next chapter in 2026 is shaping up to be an important one.

Thanks for being part of this journey,

Chad Carson
Founding Board Member
Friends of the Green Crescent

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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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