A longer walk in the park: Greenway expansion would add 1.6 miles to popular trail
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City officials have hired engineering firm Lose and Associates, responsible for designing the first phase of the greenway, to prepare a rough overview of the route for a second phase. Grant money is being pursued as a way to help fund the project.
Current intentions are for engineers to complete cost estimates, complete official route mapping, and hold a public hearing for citizen input next month. That will lead to submitting plans to grant agencies.
“We worked with the city staff to come up with what they feel we need to work with,” said Lose and Associates project manager Lee Davidson, who designed the first phase. “Then we’re going to make a presentation some time in early October to show an exact layout of what we’ve decided with the city, and that would be for the general public to look at and make comments on. But right now, we’re taking what we decided along with the city and putting it in map and written form.”
Grant applications are expected to be submitted after the public meeting and could take until next summer to be approved.
Hopes are to obtain major funding via the grants used to facilitate the first phase, which spans between Riverfront and Pepper Branch parks and includes sidewalks located on High Street and Old Morrison Road. Officially opened last September, phase one cost around $500,000 and was primarily paid for with grants.
The second phase spans from near the Frank G. Clement Bridge to near Rocket Park.
Although a gravel path located near the first phase next to the dam indicates a clearing, the terrain is difficult to maneuver by foot farther down the proposed trail.
It is twice as long as the first phase and contains a bluff that could be used as an overlook. Other ideas are to create piers, fishing areas, and picnic areas near the trail, Parks and Recreation director Carlene Brown said. She added it will be up to officials to decide how much in grant funds they want to apply for since those grants often require a local match.
If city leaders are aggressive in making the second phase happen, she said it could be open by spring, 2006.
Brown said she believes the community will rally around the cause, as it has been a hit with many, but added the second phased could be split into its own phases. Future maintenance is a concern, she also said.
“The challenge is going to be money – making sure there is enough. Our biggest concern is even if we get a grant to build it, we want to have the funds to maintain it,” Brown said.
City Administrator Herb Llewellyn said 2006 is a realistic date.
“If we can get the easements done, that is very doable,” Llewellyn said, noting the city will mostly follow its already existing sewer easement and officials have already begun discussions with property owners.