What are greenways?
Greenways are typically long parks or natural areas that usually include a trail. Many times greenways will follow a river or are built on abandoned railroad property.
Local examples include the Detroit RiverWalk, Dequindre Cut, and Conner Creek Greenway. Sometimes streets are improved for biking and walking – and these too can be called greenways.
And the “green” in greenways has two meanings. Greenways have many trees and plants along the trail which are the color green. Greenways are also “green” because they are good for the environment.
Why are greenways important?
Greenways are important to for many different reasons. For some, they are a nice, clean, and safe place to play, ride a bike, walk, or run. They are places where one can have a serious workout or just a romantic stroll after dinner.
Although we are the Motor City, many Detroiters walk or bike instead of drive. It can be a healthy, fun, and green alternative for getting to work, to school, or to a local park. Greenways can make it easier and safer for those choosing to walk or bike.
And using greenways are one easy way to improve the health of both adults and children. Did you know that the typical adult cyclist has a level of fitness equivalent to someone 10 years younger and a life expectancy two years above the average? Did you know that children who begin biking or walking to school at an early age are more likely to stay at a healthy weight during their school years?
Greenways promote economic development and create jobs. For example, the opening of the RiverWalk has led to a new bicycle shop, cafes, as well as more major festivals. And just think how the RiverWalk’s transformation of the Detroit River has helped Detroit’s image. Having beautiful and accessible greenways helps attract convention business and increase tourism.
But just as important, more and more new businesses are looking to locate in cities where their employees can bike and walk. Companies such as Google strongly encourage their employees to bike or walk to work, so they locate their offices in cities with greenways. It’s a growing trend among employers.
Like employers, people want to live near greenways. That’s why studies show housing values increase the closer one gets to a greenway.
Greenways can be just as important to wildlife and they are to people. They often have plentiful trees, plants, flowers, and many other natural features such as rivers. These attract and encourage wildlife even in major urban centers. And similarly, greenways can be designed to improve water quality and fish habitat.
So as you can see, there are many reasons why greenways are important, not only to the people and wildlife, but to the cities that have invested in them.
What is the Michigan Trails and Greenways Alliance (MTGA) perspective on greenways?
MTGA’s mission is to help build greenways that connect all of Michigan. For the past few years, we’ve had a major focus on building greenways in Detroit – and for good reason.
The greenways that already exist in Detroit have been very well received by the community. In just a few years, the Detroit RiverWalk has become the most visited greenway in Michigan and one of the most visited in the United States.
And Detroiters want more.
There is tremendous opportunity for more greenways in Detroit. There are a few abandoned railroad corridors that are currently being evaluated. In some areas, vacant properties could be stitched together to form a greenway.
Detroit’s streets are also overbuilt for the traffic they carry. It does not take much of an investment to add bike lanes to them. In fact when MDOT was resurfacing Michigan Avenue, they were able to add bike lanes for a “negligible cost.”
But if we build more greenways, can we afford it? The city can’t maintain all of its existing parks.
We believe we can. We are looking at greenway maintenance and funding strategies that are sustainable. One model is the Detroit RiverWalk and Dequindre Cut. These greenways have large endowments. The interest earned on those endowments helps maintain those facilities without taxpayer support.
Greenways will continue to be a key component of a new Detroit – a healthier, greener, and more active city.
For more information on greenways across Michigan, visit the MTGA web site at www.michigantrails.org.
What are Complete Streets?
Complete streets are roadways planned, designed and constructed to accommodate safe access for all users. On these streets, pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists and public transit riders of all ages and abilities are able to safely move along and across streets which may include sidewalks, crosswalks, and bike lanes.
The city of Detroit is already starting to build some Complete Streets and you will likely see more in the future.
In addition, many cities around Michigan and the U.S. are adopting Complete Streets policies. These policies mean that when roads are reconstructed, the cities make sure they are designed for all of the legal users whenever it is financially feasible. It costs less to build a street right the first time and it makes it safer for all users.
Why are Complete Streets important?
There are many reasons for their importance:
- Increases the physical activity levels and health of residents
- Gives transportation options for those individuals who are unable to drive
- Improves pedestrian and bicycle safety
- Improves the environment so more students can safely walk and bike to school daily.
- Helps build stronger communities
- Increases potential road funding from MDOT.
As for safety, Detroit has the second highest pedestrian fatality rate in the U.S. Complete Streets help reduce these deaths and make Detroit a safer place to walk.
What is the Michigan Trails and Greenways Alliance (MTGA) perspective on Complete Streets?
MTGA would like to see the city of Detroit continue to build Complete Streets and improve the safety for all road users.
We’d also like to see Detroit do what other cities are doing across America and adopt a Complete Streets ordinance. Having an ordinance provides additional assurance that the city will continue building Complete Streets as a part of normal road reconstruction.
In 2008,City Council adopted a non-motorized master plan. We also want to see more of that plan implemented. The plan is one good way to make Detroit’s streets more complete, but especially for bicyclists and pedestrians.
If you agree that Complete Streets are a good idea for Detroit, please add your name to this online support form at http://tiny.cc/detroitcs
Click here to be introduced to Michigan Trails & Greenways Alliance
Source: MTGA