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!
