I have walked on the dikes that stretch from the Clemson University rowing facility to the Madren Center for many years and it is an important component of the quality of life for myself and many others, including Clemson faculty, staff, students and residents. However,  the entire dike between Madren Center and the CU rowing facility has been closed to pedestrian traffic and will remain closed until October of 2024 due to construction at the Madren Center.

The need for safety is understandable but  why close the entire dike since the Madren Center construction area is approximately one mile from the Rowing Center? 

Here are some questions I have about the closing:

1. Why close the entire length of the dike to walkers??

2. Why not allow walking up to the point of construction? Why not leave the dike open during times when the construction is not going on?

3. Were there any opportunities for public input on this? I know that when the construction of the gymnastics and lacrosse facilities was announced myself and others had a chance to meet with the then athletic director and were able to obtain reassurance that a walking/jogging path would be provided during construction and that has happened.

4. Why not develop a safe path around the Madren Center construction as has been done at the construction site in the rowing facility area?

The purpose of this petition is to urge Clemson University to reconsider its decision to close the dikes and to seek a better way to address legitimate safety needs without depriving access to the hundreds of people who use the dikes.

I think there are at least five groups who will benefit from keeping the dikes open:

1 The hundreds of people who use the dikes on a regular basis.

2. Periodic dike users. I have seen small groups awaiting the sunrise, college and high school athletes in training, individuals sitting on the rocks reading their bible, spectators at rowing events, football fans enjoying a stroll before the games, and visitors to the Martin Inn and Madren Center getting a taste of Clemson.

3. Anyone who supports providing safe spaces for exercise and enjoyment of the outdoors.

4. People who want to support their neighbors and friends in promoting a good cause.

5.Those interested in improving Clemson's town/gown relationship by working to find ways to include residents in decisions that have consequences for all of us.