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Triangle Greenways Council Newsletter |
July-August 2003 GREENWAYS – MORE THAN TRAILS AND LINEAR PARKS
When considered in the broader context of urban form, Greenways can transcend their oft-touted usefulness as recreational trails and linear open spaces and become the foundation of green infrastructure. In Minneapolis, Minnesota, city leaders have recognized that a greenway corridor can be a unifying theme for the Upper River Master Plan, which will guide redevelopment and new land uses along the city’s northern Mississippi River waterfront and associated tributaries. According to planning director Chuck Ballentine, this plan represents a bold vision for developing the Mississippi riverfront into a regional park amenity in north and northeast Minneapolis. One element of the Upper River Master Plan, the Humboldt Greenway, began construction in July 2000. It seeks to build long-term value and enhance the existing tax base through strategic investment in parks and improved infrastructure. This includes road improvements and new housing construction in addition to new parks connected by trails. For example, the Humboldt Greenway will add ‘parkway amenities’ to major thoroughfares that parallel Shingle Creek, a tributary to the Mississippi. Moreover, with the input, support, and cooperation of the community, the Humboldt Greenway has been designed to add much needed senior housing, single-family homes and attractive townhomes to neighborhoods that lack a range of housing choices. The Greenway will enhance Shingle Creek, and improve pedestrian connections to existing parks and schools. Ballentine asserts that the Humboldt Greenway project “represents long overdue public investment on a grand scale” to maintain neighborhoods and enhance livability in an area that is transitioning from river barging and heavy industry to a “new, more stable era of land use.”
Imagine a local government planning new housing, road improvements, and strategic investment in parks to enhance the tax base, predicated on a greenway corridor. A bold vision, indeed.
NEW TRAIL "BETTER THAN A TREADMILL"
GENERAL ASSEMBLY ADOPTS BUDGET; DEBATES CONSERVATION BILLS
The $14.8 billion state budget approved June 30 by the North Carolina General Assembly and signed by Governor Mike Easley includes $62 million for the Clean Water Management Trust Fund for Fiscal Years 2003-04 and 2004-05. In the previous budget, the CWMTF received $66.5 million.
During the June 2003 grant funding cycle, local governments, non-profit conservation groups and state agencies from across North Carolina submitted 86 new applications for water quality improvement grants totaling over $148 million.
Clean Water Management Trust Fund:
Property Tax Reform on the Legislative Agenda
Several bills have been introduced to address inconsistencies in how properties owned or managed for conservation purposes are treated for property tax purposes and to expand tax incentives for conservation. The following is a summary of those bills that are still in play this session.
Open Space Preservation Incentives (H.887, S.950) These bills would increase the NC Conservation Tax Credit to keep pace with inflation and allow eligible taxpayers to claim a refund of a percentage of the unused credit after three years. The NC Conservation Tax Credit is a unique incentive program that allows a credit against individual and corporate state income taxes when real property is donated for conservation purposes. The bill also clarifies the property tax exemption for property owned by nonprofit organizations, such as land trust.
Wildlife Conservation and Present Use Value (PUV) (S. 884) This bill would establish “wildlife land” as a fourth class of eligible land for PUV taxation. The bill requires a written management plan be developed for the property and would provide continued PUV eligibility for lands under certain circumstances. The State of North Carolina provides favorable tax treatment to certain agricultural, horticultural and forestland owners through the present use value (PUV) tax program. Property tax on land enrolled in the program is determined not on the basis of its assessed fair market value, but rather on the value of the land in its present use, resulting in substantial tax savings. Landowners who withdraw their land from the program or fail to comply with one of the eligibility criteria must pay three years of deferred or “roll back” taxes, plus interest. This usually occurs whenever the land is sold for development purposes.
Finance Parks and Heritage (H.1227) This bill would authorize the use of certificates of participation, or COPs, for land acquisition. COPs are financing tools through which governments commit an existing revenue stream to underwrite near-term bond issues for capital projects, such as land acquisition. If passed, the bill would expand the amount of funding available through the Parks and Recreation and Natural Heritage Trust Funds.
Rail Corridor Uses (H. 1230)
This bill would allow rail corridors held by the state to be used for recreational purposes, such as hiking and biking trails. The bill received a favorable report out of the NC House Transportation Committee on June 4.
If you have any questions on these bills or other legislative issues please contact Edgar Miller, the Conservation Trust for North Carolina’s Director of Development and Legislative Affairs at edgar@ctnc.org or 336-238-5319.
To check the status of these and other bills before the NC General Assembly, go to http://www.ncga.state.nc.us
TRIANGLE GREENWAYS UPDATE
Cary
The Town of Cary has been busy with the planning and construction of approximately 16 new miles of greenway. Listed below are several of the trails that have recently been completed, are in construction, or will begin construction in the near future.
Black Creek Greenway – Phase III Length 1 mile - Width 10 feet - Asphalt
This new section of the Black Creek Greenway, recently opened to the public, is located between NW Maynard Road and West Dynasty Drive. The trailhead, located directly opposite Godbold Park on NW Maynard Road, has a 28-car parking lot. The trail is quite interesting, with 7 bridges and a spur trail connecting to the West Cary Middle School. The Wake County School Department utilized the trail access to construct a track and field adjacent to the middle school when the trail was under construction. The new trail addition increases the total length of the Black Creek Greenway to approximately 3.5 miles. A sidewalk connector links the new trail segment to the existing Black Creek Greenway Trail.
Panther Creek Greenway – Cary Park Segment Length approximately 2 miles – Width 8 feet – Asphalt
This section of the Panther Creek Greenway is located in NW Cary between Green Level Durham Road and Yates Store Road. The greenway trail encircles Cary Park Lake and is approximately 1.5 miles east of the American Tobacco Trail. The trail is complete with the exception of entrance gates and site amenities that are currently being installed. The trail has not been officially opened to the public but continues to be a well used amenity for local residents. The Town of Cary anticipates the official opening of this greenway trail towards the end of the summer.
White Oak Creek Greenway – Phase III Length 1.75 miles – Width 8-10 feet – Asphalt
Bids were opened on May 6 for the construction of the White Oak Creek Greenway, Phase III. Narron Construction Inc. was the successful bidder and will begin construction this month. This project will include paving approximately 9,300 linear feet of 8-10’ wide asphalt trail between Davis Drive and NC-55, a distance of approximately 1.75 miles. The project will also include the installation of 4 pedestrian bridges along the trail. This segment of greenway trail will link Davis Drive Park with the Davis Drive Schools, White Oak Park and the subdivisions of Park Village, Sherwood Forest and West Park. This construction is a key component of the eventual linking of Bond Park to the American Tobacco Trail, a distance of approximately 7 miles.
These additional trail segments will help to enhance the connectivity of the overall Town of Cary Greenway system. One of the major objectives of the Cary greenway program is to provide a continuous system of greenway trails that link destinations within the Town, including neighborhoods, schools, parks shopping and office developments. (Submitted by Joe Godfrey)
Durham
Durham continues to plug along with trail projects. The Sandy Creek Trail opened on Saturday, June 28 - delayed from the rained-out National Trails Day opening. It's a great site – although the trail is only 0.75 miles, part of the area around it is a wetlands restoration project. Already the bird life is very active, and lots of interesting native plants are beginning to appear.
The Durham Open Space and Trails Commission and the Durham Bicycle and Pedestrian Commission hosted booths at the Eno Festival again this year, with information and maps on Durham trails and biking/walking issues.
Greenway advocates are hopeful that City Council will, at their August meeting, approve two land condemnations for the Third Fork Creek Trail route. These are "friendly condemnations"; that is, the landowners are agreeable to selling for trail use, but they are unable to give the City a clear title by the usual process. With those properties in hand, the City plans to bid out the Third Fork Creek Trail for construction late this summer. This 6.2-mile (10K) trail runs between the ATT and Garrett Road Park. Given some tricky construction issues, it may take as along as a year to complete, but shorter sections of the trail could open earlier.
The Downtown Trail (the connector between the ATT and the South Ellerbee Creek Trail) has moved into construction drawings. Durham trails and greenways staff are working with City Engineering on plans for widening sidewalks and moving various utilities.
The Eno River Greenway is now in design. The first major issue is the location of the bridge over the river, from West Point on the Eno Park to the north side. The City's consultants, along with FEMA and NCDOT, are currently reviewing maps and water flow models to help identify the most suitable location. (Submitted by Beth Timson)
Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill continues to acquire greenway land using funds from the 1996 Open Space bond. The Town purchased a key 17-acre tract north of I-40 that almost closes the gap between open space lands owned by Durham and Chapel Hill. Once a portion of the final property still in private hands is purchased, trails linking the two municipalities would be possible.
A 10-acre parcel was purchased on Morgan Creek. This acquisition is part of the Town's plan to acquire as much of the Morgan Creek watershed east of Carrboro and west of 15-501 as possible.
The Morgan Creek Trail Conceptual Plan Committee held a public forum. Amazingly, 100% of the attendees favored the creation of the proposed Morgan Creek Trail. The Committee is going into hiatus until the State completes its remapping of the Morgan Creek floodplain. The Committee hopes to reform and start work in early 2004. The new data will be a tremendous help in locating bridge sites.
The Chapel Hill Town Council is considering placing a Green Infrastructure Bond on the November ballot that may include greenway funds. Carrboro may also be considering such a bond.
Eagle Scout candidates have completed work on the 1-mile Pritchard Park Trail. This trail circles the Chapel Hill Public Library property.
The Town has received an Adopt-a-Trail grant to provide parking access to a 34-acre open space property along Dry Creek that has been unavailable to the public because of the lack of a safe means of access. The Town hopes to have the parking lot available in late 2003. (Submitted by Bill Webster)
Raleigh & Wake County
The City of Raleigh agreed to submit a $47.25 million bond before voters on Tuesday, October 7. $11.79 million would be for the development of 11 new greenway trails. The City Council also added $150,000 to the bond for a whitewater park proposal.
On the same day, from 3:00-7:00 PM, the NC Museum of Art will present the grand opening of their Museum Park. This event will highlight the Park’s new trail network and the beginning of the bridge-crossing of I-440, which will connect the Museum of Art to the rest of the Raleigh Greenway system (provided the Raleigh Parks Bonds are passed in that day’s election!). This project will create connections to Meredith College, Umstead Park, Crabtree Valley Mall, Cary and beyond. The event will also highlight the speaker Richard Florida, author of The "Rise of the Creative Class." Anyone who would like a personalized invitation can contact Sig Hutchinson at Sig@SuccessToday.com and to receive a VIP invitation.
The American Tobacco Trail in Wake County will continue to move forward. ATT supporters made their case to the County Commissioners, who presided over a tough budget session. A small county tax increase ensures continued funding for this project.
ATT advocates continue to be in conversation with Congressman David Price’s office about funding the final portion of the ATT in Chatham County. Conversations have also been held ‘behind the scenes’ regarding a Cary-Apex link to the ATT.
The Capitol Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO) Bicycle Pedestrian Task Force has released its final report and now becomes a permanent "stakeholder group". The Task Force will continue to represent the interest of pedestrians and bicyclist in the region and looks forward to working with all affiliated local governments. (Submitted by Sig Hutchison)
Walk & Bird With the Wake Audubon Society
“Bagels and Birdwalk on the Buckeye” is a monthly field trip of the Wake Audubon Society. Join them on the first Saturday of each month at 8:30 AM at the Greenway parking area on Crabtree Boulevard, between Capital Boulevard and Raleigh Boulevard. Bring your own bagels and coffee, binoculars, and walking shoes. Contact: Halbert Carmichael (832-4128).
People for Parks
People for Parks was formed by concerned citizens who care about green spaces, and want to see them properly cared for and protected. Their mission is to promote the community’s enjoyment of, involvement in, and stewardship of our local park systems in Wake County, NC. Their annual membership meeting will be held on July 21. Please join them for a program entitled "Greenways for Wildlife".
For more information contact Jamie Ramsey at (919) 821-9059. Visit their website:
REGIONAL GREENWAYS UPDATE
One North Carolina Naturally Conference Charts Course
North Carolina is losing 277 acres a day - more than 100,000 acres a year - of farm and forest land to development. The population of North Carolina is expected to increase by 35 percent from 2000 to 2020 from 8 million to 10.8 million, so we can expect this trend to continue. The results: 34 percent of North Carolina’s coastal wetlands have been altered to the point they no longer serve their natural functions; recent floods have led to billions of dollars of structural damage due to inappropriate floodplain development; essential wildlife habitat is lost and the connectivity of wildlife corridors is broken when development is allowed to proceed without proper open space planning; and, the state’s $10 billion tourism economic engine is affected. What is DENR doing about this? About 550 state government employees, business interests, environmentalists and others from across the state gathered on April 16 and 17 the Office of Conservation and Community Affairs’ One North Carolina Naturally - Partnerships in Conservation conference to discuss the problem and potential solutions.
See the report of the ‘One North Carolina Naturally’ Conference (from the DENR newsletter): http://www.enr.state.nc.us/newsletters/upClosemay2003.pdf
The ‘One North Carolina Naturally’ Draft Plan is available for review at: http://www.enr.state.nc.us/officeofconservation/pages/events.html
Connecting the Carolinas – Pathways into Nature and History (Part II)
In the early 1800's, the Nations Ford Trail connected the Central Piedmont to important trading centers to the north and south. Two centuries later, thanks to the vision of communities in both North and South Carolina, the Nations Ford corridor will once again be a crossroads for people from different states and different walks of life. Through the committed leadership of Lancaster, Mecklenburg, and York Counties, and the active participation of local landowners and civic groups, a new greenway connecting North and South Carolina is on its way to becoming a reality.
The Nations Ford Greenway will connect residents of the Carolinas to each other and to our shared natural and historic heritage. The greenway, as envisioned, will be a system of parks and conservation areas linked by a 31-mile long trail network running along the banks of Sugar Creek and the Catawba River. The greenway will link with trail systems in nearby Rock Hill, Tega Cay, Mecklenburg County and the 2,300-acre Anne Springs Close Greenway in Fort Mill. Visitors will be able to hike, walk, bike, run, or just sit and enjoy the beautiful scenery along the length of the greenway. Interpretive centers will offer outdoor education opportunities for young and old, enriching appreciation for the Piedmont's unique natural resources. In addition, local communities will benefit from increased tourism and recreation revenues generated by greenway visitors, and property values have been shown to rise near greenways.
At Earth Day 2002 in Fort Mill, community members expressed strong support for a greenway in their region, and their input helped shape the vision for the Nations Ford Greenway. The Catawba Indian Nations and the new "Museum of Life and the Environment" will provide destination and access points for trail users.
In addition to providing recreational and cultural benefits for the surrounding communities, the Nations Ford Greenway will also help protect the water quality of Sugar Creek and the Catawba River by providing buffers of protected land along both bodies of water. A local water quality expert has volunteered his time to monitor the health of the creek and the river.
In fast-growing areas like the Charlotte metropolitan region, opportunities to create a resource such as the Nations Ford Greenway are few and far between. Communities have to act now if they are going to protect the diverse natural, cultural and historic treasures that will make this great vision possible. Together with local landowners, developers, civic groups, municipalities, and state agencies, the Nations Ford Greenway Implementation Team is moving this exciting vision closer to reality. Members of the team include staff from the Trust for Public Land, Nations Ford Land Trust, Catawba Valley Land Trust, Anne Springs Close Greenway, York County Council, and the Catawba Regional Council of Governments.
Last fall, leaders from Lancaster, Mecklenburg and York Counties gathered in Fort Mill, S.C. to recommit to a memorandum of understanding signed in the fall of 2001. The memorandum pledges the three counties' support of restoration efforts in the Sugar Creek watershed, efforts that now include the creation of the Nations Ford Greenway. (Courtesy of the Trust for Public Land, Carolina News Bulletin, Spring 2003)
ABOUT THE TRIANGLE GREENWAYS COUNCIL: WHO WE ARE
*An advocacy organization: promoting greenways in the Triangle; organizing regional conferences; raising awareness; increasing networking; building a pro-greenway constituency.
*An informational clearinghouse: a single source of information about every greenway project and program affecting our region; providing ‘trail alerts’ about important trails and greenways issues coming before local town boards, city councils, and county commissions; mapping the network of regional trails and greenways; sharing resources among the region’s trails, greenways, and parks advocacy groups.
*A land trust: accepting donations of important greenway corridors; building a fund to purchase critical open space; maintaining and constructing trails within the region. QUOTE“The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quiet, alone with the heavens, nature and God. Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be.” - Anne Frank
“It is good to realize that if love and peace can prevail on earth, and if we can teach our children to honor nature's gifts, the joys and beauties of the outdoors will be here forever.” - Jimmy Carter ________________________________________________________________
The Triangle Greenways Council E-Newsletter is a bi-monthly publication of the Triangle Greenways Council, a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization. Donald R. Belk, editor. The views expressed herein may not reflect those of the organization, its members, or its board of directors. If you wish to subscribe or unsubscribe to this newsletter, or to make comments to the editor, please send a message to trianglegreenways@yahoo.com.
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