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Carrboro greenways: Today and tomorrow

Posted on August 6, 2009 by Staff

Dave Otto

Greenways serve many important functions in the community, including: linking neighborhoods, schools and parks; providing off-road transportation corridors; providing recreational opportunities; providing opportunities for environmental education; and encouraging healthy living.

Carrboro has been creating greenways for many years in bits and pieces. New developments are required to build greenway segments and, as undeveloped land vanishes, these segments are now forming a cohesive system. Plans for new greenways along Bolin and Morgan creeks are rapidly taking shape. In order to help the community visualize the emerging greenway system and to appreciate the natural beauty, historic significance and recreational and educational value of the proposed greenways, I have created an exhibit that is on display at the Carrboro Town Hall. The exhibit includes about 120 photographs, many maps and related narratives. Several bikeways (Frances Lloyd Shetley, Libba Cotten and Roberson), which function much like greenways, also are included.

Although there are many types of greenways, a linear, off-road park through woodlands or along waterways is the most common type in Carrboro. The town has established a growing network of greenways and trails. This network results, in part, from open-space dedication and trail development as new neighborhoods are built. For example, Lake Hogan Farms, Winmore and Claremont have paved greenways that will be connected when Carolina Commons is built in northern Carrboro.

A variety of maps are included in the exhibit to help viewers locate existing bikeways and planned greenways. Maps include: Proposed Trail Facility Types (which serves as a rough Carrboro Greenways Master Plan), Bolin Creek Greenway Trail Alignment Alternatives (prepared by Greenways Inc.) and Morgan Creek Greenway; Opportunities and Constraints (prepared by Coulter, Jewell, Thames). GWI and CJT are designing the Bolin and Morgan Creek greenways, respectively. Other maps are included to indicate where Carrboro greenways will connect with similar amenities in Chapel Hill, Carolina North and Orange County.

Maps are essential tools in locating these places, but you need to visit the greenways and bikeways to experience the beauty and joy of walking, jogging, biking and meeting kindred spirits who inhabit them. The exhibit is designed to take people on a visual tour of proposed greenways and existing bikeways. Pictures in the exhibit are arranged in sequence, proceeding upstream along Bolin Creek from Estes Drive to Lake Hogan Farms (west hallway) and Morgan Creek from Frank Porter Graham School to University Lake (east hallway). The exhibit is open Mon.-Fri. from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The exhibit also will be on the next 2ndFriday Artwalk, Aug. 14 from 6 to 8 p.m. A special treat at this event will be the showing of a video prepared by Steve Campbell, which will take viewers on a walk along Bolin Creek from Estes Drive to Homestead Road. The video will be shown at 6:30 p.m. at the reception. Please join us this month, especially on Aug. 14, for an enjoyable and informative journey along Carrboro greenways and bikeways!

Dave Otto is vice chair of the Carrboro Greenways Commission.

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