Piedmont Riverfront Park Opening
Anderson County’s Piedmont Riverfront Park—Opening both corridors and doors to the Saluda River and ADA accessible paddling in Upstate South Carolina.
After more than a decade of planning and vision, Anderson County officially unveils Piedmont Riverfront Park, a 21-acre ecotourism destination designed to reconnect the community with the natural beauty of the Saluda River, on Friday, May 8, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. On-site parking will be available in the designated riverside parking areas, offering a total of 35 single-car spaces.
First pursued in 2010 and secured in 2020, the park opens new public corridors and access points to one of Upstate South Carolina’s most significant waterways, including ADA-accessible paddling opportunities that broaden access to outdoor recreation for all visitors. Featuring dramatic river bluffs, protected wetlands, and the scenic confluence of the Saluda River and Big Brushy Creek, the park offers a distinctive setting for fishing, wildlife observation, and immersive nature experiences.
“Preserving and enhancing riverfront property that complements our natural resource is critical to improving quality of life and leisure in Upstate SC. This ADA kayak launch marks the fifth installation under the Anderson County initiative.”—Jimmy Davis, Councilman District 6
Phase One amenities include an ADA accessible kayak launch, picnic shelter, marked nature trails, and parking. Future phases will offer a small craft boat launch, truck/trailer parking, restrooms, host site, and permanent lighting.
This flagship, 9-mile corridor in Section One of the 48-Mile Saluda River Blueway becomes a completed-reality on May 8, 2026; formally connecting Dolly Cooper Park to the new Piedmont Riverfront Park via ADA access points on the Saluda River.
“After sixteen years of blueway development, partnering, and investment, we can all take great pride opening this new park and year-round paddling experience.”—Matt Schell, Parks Department Manager
Seven dams create six sections along the 48-mile blueway, as defined by Anderson County more than 16 years ago, from Saluda Lake Dam to the Town of Ware Shoals Dam.
A variety of portage and access improvements by different partners have been made in Sections: one, two, three, four, and five.
Piedmont Riverfront Park will be used as the official take-out for Anderson County’s Saluda River Rally this year on June 6, 2026. Originating at Dolly Cooper Park, the 9-mile destination paddling event will celebrate its 16th year promoting the 48-mile blueway, river recreation, and ADA accessibility, while also benefiting Special Olympics Area 14.
Special thanks to Senator Mike Gambrell, Anderson County Legislative Delegation, and the Land & Water Conservation Fund.
Funding:
$ 500,000 US Dept. of Interior Land & Water Conservation Fund
$ 972,000 State Legislative Earmarks
$ 40,000 Local Capital Project Funds
$ 1,512,000 Total
Project Elements:
- 1380’ access road from River Road to kayak launch
- Two upper-level parking lots for 35 vehicles and one lower-level ADA parking area
- ADA sidewalk with railings connecting picnic shelter to kayak launch area
- EZ Dock – ADA kayak launch on the Saluda River
- Picnic shelter with four ADA picnic tables and large ADA grill
- ½ mile trail system installed by Upstate Greenways and Trails Alliance (UGATA)
- Road and site drainage facilities, tree plantings
- Permanent trash bins, porta-potty, temporary solar powered street lighting
Partners in project delivery:
SC Parks, Recreation & Tourism Department
ADC Engineering
Upstate Greenways & Trails Alliance (UGATA)
Foothills Contracting Service, LLC
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Piedmont Riverfront Project: Upstate Blue Trail 48-mile Corridor Piedmont Waterfront Park Project Poster