The Irmo-Chapin Recreation Commission celebrated the grand opening of the new Saluda Shoals Riverwalk Trail and trailhead at Dreher Shoals Landing on Wednesday, Aug. 19, marking a significant milestone in expanding regional connectivity, outdoor recreation and access to the Lower Saluda River.

Community leaders, elected officials, project partners and residents gathered for a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the new Dreher Shoals Landing, located at 6181 Bush River Road in Columbia.

Speakers at the ceremony included Mark Smyers, executive director of the Irmo-Chapin Recreation Commission; state Rep. Chris Wooten; Michael Cromer, commissioner of the ICRC; Keller Kissam, president of Dominion Energy South Carolina; and Lindsay Hudson, director of Saluda Shoals Park.

The Saluda Shoals Riverwalk, formerly known as the Lower Saluda Greenway, is a proposed 8.5-mile multi-use paved path along the north side of the Lower Saluda River. The regional project is designed to connect the Lexington and Irmo communities with neighboring cities, including Columbia, West Columbia and Cayce, while providing safer access to parks, trails, recreational destinations and alternative transportation options.

“This ribbon-cutting represents another exciting step forward in enhancing connectivity and outdoor recreation for our community,” said Mark Smyers, executive director of the Irmo-Chapin Recreation Commission. “The Riverwalk creates opportunities for residents and visitors to walk, bike and experience the natural beauty of the Lower Saluda River while strengthening connections between neighborhoods, businesses and recreational spaces.”

New trailhead welcomes visitors

The new trailhead building at Dreher Shoals Landing serves as a gateway to the Saluda Shoals Riverwalk, providing visitors with parking, amenities and information as they explore the Lower Saluda River corridor.

The project reflects strong community support for safer, non-motorized transportation and recreational pathways throughout the Midlands, the commission said. By connecting communities and key recreational destinations, the group says the Riverwalk supports healthy lifestyles, outdoor recreation, and long-term regional growth.

“The new trailhead is an important addition to the Riverwalk and enhances the experience for everyone who comes to enjoy this special part of the Midlands,” Smyers said. “We are proud to celebrate this milestone and the partnerships that have helped move this project forward.”

A regional partnership

The Saluda Shoals Riverwalk has been made possible through the collaboration and support of numerous community partners, including the Central Midlands Council of Governments, Cornerstone Presbyterian Church, County of Lexington, Dominion Energy, Midlands Business Leadership Group, state of South Carolina and The Mungo Foundation.

Dominion Energy has been a key partner in advancing the Riverwalk, with about 95% of Phase One located on Dominion property between Dreher Shoals Dam at Lake Murray and Saluda Shoals Park.

“Connectivity is part of our business every day, whether it’s connecting electrical wires or natural gas pipelines, and this project is vital to a larger goal to eventually connect the Lake Murray dam with downtown Columbia and beyond,” Kissam said. “South Carolina has beautiful places to visit from the mountains to the sea, and we were honored to help work on this unbelievable opportunity to showcase what the Midlands has to offer. “

The Saluda Shoals Riverwalk is open to the public from 7 a.m. to sunset daily (hours are seasonal). For more information about the Saluda Shoals Riverwalk project, visit icrc.net.