Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, July 25, 1995 TAG: 9507250097
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DAN CASEY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Developers will donate land in new subdivisions for linear parks. And property owners will come to view greenways as an asset rather than a nuisance or a liability.
Those ideas and more emerged from a daylong kickoff of a greenways planning effort Monday that turned out scores of elected, business and community leaders and residents interested in the greenways concept.
Sixty to 90 days from now, "we're going to leave here with an actual plan that describes who's going to do what, where, why and with what resources," said Charles Flink, founder of Greenways Inc., the North Carolina consultant hired to help the valley chart a greenway plan.
Greenways are linear parks, often with paved paths, that connect neighborhoods, traditional parks, schools, shopping centers, downtown areas and other points of interest.
Besides serving recreational and transportation needs, they often serve as natural corridors that can absorb overflowing storm water, and as urban wildlife habitats.
The concept is under development in more than 1,000 communities across America, Flink said.
Monday's events kicked off with a luncheon for about 60 elected and appointed officials and business and community leaders.
It was followed by an evening workshop and brainstorming session attended by 115 residents - about a quarter of whom were Roanoke, Roanoke County or Salem employees or officials. Two more workshops - on Aug. 17 and 30 - are planned.
"I think this is real good," said Danny Draper of Vinton. "There's only one place in the Roanoke Valley with walking trails. There's nowhere for people to walk except sidewalks. I don't want to inhale car exhaust."
Douglas Robertson, 74, who lives on Riverland Road Southeast and often walks the banks of the Roanoke River with his wife, Bessie, said he hopes greenways are built quickly.
"This will probably be like the flood control efforts. I'll probably never live to see it," he said.
Part of the afternoon and evening sessions were spent debunking what Flink called misconceptions about greenways. For instance:
Greenways are expensive. They're actually cheap when developed as part of sewer line plans, storm-water controls or along abandoned rail lines, Flink said. Laying the asphalt can cost as little as $20 a foot - a little more than $100,000 a mile.
Greenways are hotbeds of crime. Flink said crime in linear parks is no greater than crime in traditional parks - which typically have low crime rates compared to other parts of communities.
Greenways lower property values. In Raleigh, N.C., the reverse is true, Flink said. One developer near his office even jacked up the price of greenway lots when he realized they were selling more quickly than lots not directly on the greenway. And real estate listings in Raleigh often list how close a home is to one of its greenways.
There were some differing opinions on how to go about the greenway plan. Ron Glowczynski, who works at East Coasters Cycling and Fitness, said he'd prefer to see bicycle lanes on roadways - and leave the trails for pedestrians.
"Why get cyclists off the road? It's safest to keep them on the road, moving with traffic," Glowczynski said.
Some people, meanwhile, came prepared to do business.
Danny Eller of Southwest Roanoke County came armed with maps of his property and a proposal to donate a half-mile creekside path that runs across it between the Fairlane Forest and Meadow Creek subdivisions.
"I was humbled by what I heard tonight," Eller said of the ambitious ideas outlined. "It's a great idea."
by CNB