Green Crescent would link points of interest in Central, Clemson

By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter

jevans@thepccourier.com

CENTRAL — Central officials are throwing their support behind the proposed Green Crescent Trail.

The Green Crescent Trail is a multi-use trail that will connect many points in Central and Clemson, including Southern Wesleyan University, downtown Central, the Clemson Experimental Forest, Daniel High School and downtown Clemson.

The project will be completed in phases as funding becomes available.

If fully realized, the project could place more than 35 miles of trail in the Clemson and Central areas.

On Aug. 3, Central Town Council passed a resolution in support of the project.

The resolution states the town’s formal support of both the feasibility study undertaken by the Friends of the Green Crescent Trail group and “the efforts of the Friends of the Green Crescent to build the Green Crescent Trail.”

“The Green Crescent Trail will connect residents and visitors to important local sites that showcase our community’s natural, historic and cultural richness,” the resolution reads in part. “The Green Crescent Trail … will bring economic and quality-of-life benefits to the town of Central and other communities along the trail.”

“The Friends of the Green Crescent could not be more excited to have the formal support of the town of Central for the Green Crescent Trail,” said Chad Carson, president of the Friends of the Green Crescent Trail board of directors. “We applaud the leaders of Central for their vision and their foresight to not only support, but to take the lead in this effort as the first municipality to officially support the Green Crescent Trail.”

The resolution outlines Central officials’ desire to have the trail’s feasibility study accepted and incorporated into the town’s comprehensive plan.

Town officials also wish to partner with the Friends of the Green Crescent to make the trail a reality.

Under the resolution, council will assign a member of council, and possibly a member of staff, to the Green Crescent advisory board.

The town agrees to support, both financially and otherwise, efforts to plan, build and maintain the trail within town limits and to place wayfinding signage related to the trail, the resolution states.

The town also agrees to work with neighboring municipalities and institutions to promote and market the trail as “an important recreational, natural and cultural resource,” the resolution states.

Planners believe the trail will attract more small businesses to the area, as the Swamp Rabbit Trail as done for Greenville and Travelers Rest.

“Like the Swamp Rabbit has done for Travelers Rest, the Green Crescent Trail could help the small businesses and wonderful cultural destinations in downtown Central to flourish,” Carson said. “It will also improve the quality of life for all of the residents, students and visitors of Central as they will have a safe place to walk, run, push strollers, bike, walk dogs and get from one place to another without a car.”

A similar resolution in support of the Green Crescent Trail project is slated to go before Clemson City Council on Oct. 3.