After more than a decade of planning and vision, Anderson County officially unveiled the new Piedmont Riverfront Park, a 21-acre ecotourism destination designed to reconnect the community with the natural beauty of the Saluda River, with grand opening and ribbon cutting on Friday, May 8.
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.
Phase One amenities, which are now open, include an ADA accessible kayak launch, picnic shelter, marked nature trails, and parking for up to 35 vehicles. Future phases will offer a small craft boat launch, truck/trailer parking, restrooms, host site, and permanent lighting.
Speakers for the ceremony included Rusty Burns, Anderson County Administrator; Jimmy Davis, Anderson County Council District 6; Senator Mike Gambrell, SC Senate District 4; Justin Hancock, Recreation, Grants and Policy Director for SC Parks, Recreation and Tourism (SCPRT) and Charlene Spelts, Piedmont Historical Society.
Burns introduced and thanked each of the speakers for their part in making the park happen.
“Preserving and enhancing riverfront property that complements our natural resource is critical to improving quality of life and leisure in Upstate SC,” said Council District 6 representative Jimmy Davis. “This ADA kayak launch marks the fifth installation under the Anderson County initiative.”
Davis said there were many people involved in making it happen with funding from federal and state grants, Parks, Recreation and Tourism and making it ADA compliant for “all people to be able to use it.”
“The Riverfront Park and other things that are being done in Anderson County and Senate District 4 are examples of State and local agencies working together,” Senator Gambrell said, “This is what happens when everybody works together. Good things like this that we can bring to the community.”
“This project is the perfect example of a partnership,” Burns said. “It is government at its best on the local, state and federal level.”
SC Parks, Recreation and Tourism (SCPRT) was one of the partners.
Justin Hancock, SCPRT Recreation, Grants and Policy Director said, “Today is what it looks like when a project comes to completion. It is impressive, a recreation asset that will benefit this community.” He added that the park property “will be protected for outdoor recreation forever.” He said “SCPRT is looking forward to working with Anderson County and what they want us to work on for Phase Two and Three.”
Chalene Spelts spoke for the Piedmont community. She thanked “individuals and groups for helping to showcase our community in the Upstate.” She thanked the legislative delegation for their support and the churches, clubs and businesses “that step out and show up” to help with activities and events. “We are not a town,” Spelts said, “Piedmont is a village, a community.”
Before cutting the ribbon at the entrance walk to the ADA kayak launch, Burns thanked the Piedmont community. “Projects like this start with individual citizens. It is the job of government to do what the people want.”
Also participating in the ribbon cutting were Fred Guthier of ADC Engineering and Allen Wilson. Wilson is an avid kayacker and has participated in the Saluda River Rally and kayacked the Blueway Trail from Dolly Cooper Park to Ware Shoals and sections of the Saluda River to Lake Murray.
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.
Anderson County Parks Department Manager Matt Schell said, “After sixteen years of Blueway development, partnering, and investment, we can all take great pride opening this new park and year-round paddling experience.”
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 upcoming Saluda River Rally 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.
Funding amounting to $1,512,000 for the new facility was obtained through efforts of Senator Mike Gambrell, members of the Anderson County Legislative Delegation, and the Land & Water Conservation Fund.
Funding included $500,000 from the US Dept. of Interior Land & Water Conservation Fund; $972,000 State Legislative Earmarks and $40,000 from Local Capital Project Funds
The new facility includes the following:
A 1380’ access road from River Road to the 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.
A .5 mile trail system installed by Upstate Greenways and Trails Alliance (UGATA).
Road and site drainage facilities and tree plantings.
Permanent trash bins, porta-potty and temporary solar powered street lighting.
Partners in project delivery include SC Parks, Recreation & Tourism Department, ADC Engineering, Upstate Greenways & Trails Alliance (UGATA) and Foothills Contracting Service, LLC.
Piedmont Riverfront Park officially open
A grand opening and ribbon cutting was held Friday for the new Piedmont Riverfront Park on the Saluda River. The park is located off River Road and features an ADA accessible kayak launch, picnic shelter, marked nature trails, and parking for up to 35 vehicles. Pictured (l-r)are: Allen Wilson (avid kayacker ), Fred Guthier of ADC Engineering, Rep. Thomas Beach SC House Dist. 10, Senator Mike Gambrell, Charlene Spelts, Jimmy Davis County Council District 6 (cutting ribbon), and Matt Schell Anderson County Parks Manager
Featured photo – New park features ADA accessible kayak launch
A grand opening and ribbon cutting was held Friday for the new Piedmont Riverfront Park on the Saluda River. The park is located off River Road and features an ADA accessible kayak launch, picnic shelter, marked nature trails, and parking for up to 35 vehicles.
