Palmetto Park Greenway Connector

The City of Sumter is exploring the feasibility of a new bicycle and pedestrian path to connect the Palmetto Park area to the Prisma Health Shot Pouch Greenway!

Project Overview

The Palmetto Park Greenway Connector project evaluated opportunities to establish a safe, accessible, and connected trail linking several key community destinations.  A primary objective of the project is to extend and strengthen the existing trail network by connecting the Prisma Heath Shot Pouch Greenway with the City's Palmetto Park and Palmetto Tennis Center, the University of South Carolina Sumter (USC Sumter), and Central Carolina Technical College (CCTC).  By linking these recreational, educational, and community assets, the greenway would create a continuous pedestrian and bicycle network, expand access to existing destinations, and provide opportunities for both recreational use and active transportation.

Exploring Route Alternatives

Three route alternatives were analyzed and explored in detail to determine the optimal route for the Greenway Connector. 

Alternative 1

Of the three alternatives evaluated in depth, Alternative 1 was the highest-performing route. Approximately 1.2 miles long, Alternative 1 would consist of a paved trail physically separated from vehicular traffic by an extra-wide landscaped area, creating a safe and comfortable pedestrian experience for the entire length of the trail. The easternmost segment of the trail would take trail users through a natural area following a creek, separated from all roadways before connecting to the Prisma Health Shot Pouch Greenway at Plowden Pond.

Alternative 2

Alternative 2 is approximately 1.3 miles long. The trail would almost entirely be a side-path, following parallel and adjacent to Palmetto Pkwy., University Dr., and Miller Rd. The trail would be separated from the roadways by a buffer area at least 5 feet wide. As the lowest ranking alternative, this route presents several implementation challenges, including substantial utility relocations, and has the highest potential for conflicts between trail users and vehicular traffic along Miller Rd.

Alternative 3

Alternative 3 is approximately 1.1 miles long. This route travels through the CCTC campus and would be made up of a mixture of side paths (trails located adjacent to roadways) and shared use paths (trails physically separated from roadways). The easternmost portion of this route travels through a low-volume residential neighborhood along President St. Alternative 3 provides convenient access to the campus and surrounding neighborhoods while creating a comfortable connection to the greenway network.

A Trail for Everyone

The proposed Palmetto Park Greenway Connector builds on the character of the City’s celebrated Prisma Health Shot Pouch Greenway, providing ample space for safe, comfortable walking, biking, and running. Beginning at Palmetto Park, the route connects USC Sumter and CCTC to the existing greenway system at Plowden Pond. Native plantings, shaded stretches, and inviting places to pause would create a welcoming, cohesive landscape that reflects Sumter’s natural character and feels like a seamless extension of the existing greenway.