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Carrboro greenways planning takes shape

Posted on May 7, 2009May 7, 2009 by Staff

By Susan Dickson
Staff Writer

Transportation around Carrboro could become a little more environmentally friendly within the next few years as greenways along Morgan and Bolin creeks begin to take shape.

Barring unforeseen delays conceptual plans of greenways along both creeks could be finished by the end of this year, according to town transportation planner Adena Messinger.

Funds for the planning and construction of the Bolin Creek and Morgan Creek greenways were included in a sidewalk bond referendum approved by Carrboro voters in 2003 and the board of aldermen established the Greenways Commission in 2007 to guide the planning of the greenways.

The project is estimated to cost about $1.7 million for planning and construction, with about 80 percent covered by federal funding.

Now that many of the sidewalks included in the referendum have been completed, planning for the greenways is fully underway. The Morgan Creek greenway would stretch from Frank Porter Graham Elementary School on Smith Level Road to University Lake, while the Bolin Creek greenway would run from Homestead Road to Estes Drive, including a segment along Jones Creek.

Both greenways are intended to connect with planned Chapel Hill greenways.

Recalling his experiences playing in the woods as a child, Greenways Commission Chair George Daniel said, “Nowadays, that’s much less available to children.” He said that the greenways would also provide safe transit between neighborhoods and downtown and encourage residents to leave their cars at home.

“There are a lot of people who would go down to Carrboro via bicycle if there was a safe way to do so,” he said.

Daniel said that once plans are finalized, town staff will need to continue obtaining rights-of-way for certain segments of the greenways.
“We’ve been fortunate in Carrboro that there’s been a lot of land set aside,” he said, adding that several developments have already included land for the greenways.

Greenways are different from other trails in that they’re paved in order to provide access to bicyclists and those with disabilities. According to Daniel, the commission envisions a 10-foot-wide path with two-foot buffers on either side for walkers or joggers who prefer an unpaved surface.

Paving the surfaces will actually help prevent erosion near the creeks, he said.

“Bolin Creek has been seriously impaired because of erosion and topsoil rushing into that water,” Daniel said. “If you have a paved surface like a concrete surface, then you don’t get that erosion from the foot traffic or the bicycle traffic.”

Consultants selected by the commission will help determine exact plans for the greenways, including materials used and the size of the paths, as well the alignment of the greenways.

According to Messinger, town staff and consultants are preparing several alignment alternatives for the greenways and the town will hold two workshops in May and June to gather input on the options.

A workshop on May 20 will focus on plans for the Bolin Creek greenway, including the segment along Jones Creek. The workshop will be held at the Homestead Community Center at 600 Homestead Road from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m.

The town will then hold a workshop on June 15 to gather input for plans for the Morgan Creek greenway. It will be held at Frank Porter Graham Elementary School at 101 Smith Level Road from 4:30 to 7 p.m.

Town staff, consultants and members of the commission will be available to discuss the projects at both workshops. For more information, visit townofcarrboro.org/AdvBoards/Greenways/ResourceInfo.htm

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