Good news, fellow greenway lovers: There's a fresh new option for your enjoyment a stone's throw away from Charlotte. Lindsay Pettus Greenway in Lancaster, SC, about an hour south of uptown, opened to the public in November 2020 and it is gorgeous.
This 1.8-mile (one way), paved trail is a segment of the Carolina Thread Trail. It's a perfect mix of urban development and nature, combined for a lovely trek through Katawba Valley Land Trust conservation area rich with hardwoods and wildlife.
In addition to the paved trail, there's a short, 0.3-mile natural-surface path featuring constructed wetlands and two creek observation areas. This is a lovely little educational side-jaunt.
Along the route, there are benches, a couple of large community swings, bike racks, and restroom facilities. The trail also cuts through two public parks and flanks the Lancaster's downtown district. At the easternmost end is a Kids in Parks Track Trail.
What impresses me most about the Lindsay Pettus Greenway is it's boardwalks. Long stretches of the greenway are beautiful wooden bridges over low-lying areas. They add to the intrigue of the outing.
The trail is well marked with directional signs and mile markers and there are a couple of official trailhead parking areas (as well as some neighborhood entrances without public parking).
When we went, we parked at the designated lot across the street from the Lancaster Chamber of Commerce. (Note, there's no public parking in the Chamber lot, but plenty on the other side of the road. Be careful crossing; there's no crosswalk!). That trailhead puts you at about two-thirds of the way through the greenway. Take a left to go 1.3 miles east and a right to go a half-mile west. Directly in front of this access point is the nature trail.
When we go again, we'll park at the other main trailhead parking area, located at 610 E. Meeting St. This is the easternmost end of the trail. Starting here allows you to enjoy the greenway linearly, point-to-point in it's entirety.
While the greenway is still relatively new, plans are already in the works to make it a true recreational, educational, and entertainment destination. Check the website for news and events.
Bonus: If you want to make a day-trip of your outing, you can throw in a visit to Andrew Jackson State Park, directly en route to and from the greenway.
How go get there:
There are two main trailhead public parking areas.
Access the easternmost point of the greenway at 610 E. Meeting St., Lancaster, SC, 29720.
Access the greenway at the nature trail adjacent to two city parks by parking at 459 Colonial Ave., Lancaster, SC, 29720 (NOTE: This lot is across the street from the Chamber of Commerce.)
Don't forget to take:
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Bikes, scooters or other riding toys -- and helmets!
- Water and snacks
- Hats, sunglasses and sunscreen
- Bug spray (in warmer months)
- Cash if you plan to stop at Andrew Jackson State Park ($3/adult and $1/kid)
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