A Growing Network
by
JOHN DANCY-JONES
Initiated
in 1974, Raleigh’s greenway system began as small, isolated segments. But in the
last 39 years it has grown to over 99 miles. Encompassing 3700 acres, the system
has developed some connectivity, with several multi-mile stretches. The system
is not only reaching areas throughout the city, but is preparing to link with
other, larger trails.
As
a premier amenity and as a pioneering national model in urban landscapes, the
greenway system provides Raleigh with a highly visible symbol of the city’s
character. My favorite aspects remain the pure naturalism available to greenway
users, and the strong contributions these green ribbons make to our unique
relationship with the natural landscape in which our metropolis is
ensconced.
Part
of the initial impetus for Raleigh’s greenway program was the “strategic use of
part of the city’s floodplain for an open space corridor between adjoining land
uses.” The quote is from Bill Flournoy, a landscape architect out of NCSU who is
called the father of North Carolina’s greenway movement in the “Greenway
History” by Charles A. Flink.
Northwest
Raleigh has generous stretches of greenway aligned with the flood control lakes
– Lynn, Shelley and others – built to protect Crabtree Valley. Almost all of the
greenways follow waterways – and thus many of them literally track the sewer
systems as well. But the occasional outgassing pipe is well worth the rich array
of birds, diverse plants, and the occasional mammal you will see.
Preservation
of significant, if narrow, strips of natural areas will be a legacy to future
Raleigh citizens as well as a highly valuable amenity now.
Follow The Greenway On Your Smartphone
by
LEO SUAREZ
While
driving a car around Raleigh, you’ve most likely been near a greenway without
even knowing it. “Where are the greenways?” is a common question asked by
Raleighites and a team of data fans built a service in hopes to answer that
question.
As
part of CityCamp Raleigh, a team of citizens created RGreenway, a mobile
application that helps users find and navigate the Raleigh greenways. In
addition to a map browser, the application uses a smartphone’s GPS features to
show you where the greenway continues at intersections and road crossings.
The
application comes with many other features as well. RGreenway has a social
component with the ability to check-in to trails and share it on different
social media sites. The popular SeeClickFix application is used also for easy
reporting of issues such as trash or needed path maintenance. Fitness and
weather information has also been added.
The
application is available for Android and iOS devices.
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