A Future for Greenways
In the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, bicycle retailers across the country have been selling out. Americans are more motivated than ever to get outside and enjoy the summer season. Spending time outdoors improves physical and mental well-being , especially during these uncertain times. For all these reasons, now is the perfect time to plan for a future that prioritizes outdoor recreation, community vitality, and economic development through the implementation of a connected network of multi-use paths, also known as greenways.
Greenways are a creative solution for the numerous issues that have risen since the pandemic. The Greenways Plan, currently being developed by the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation and Parks & Trails New York, carries great promise to help the state meet what will be a growing demand for greenway trails over decades to come.
Cycling has experienced a significant increase since the state shut down in March. Many people have turned to the bicycle as their main form of travel. However, each region has particular issues regarding safety, connectivity, and accessibility. For example, residents in urban areas are recognizing how unsafe and unpleasant some roadways are for bicycle travel while rural residents find that most parks and trails are not easily accessible without a car. Greenways would allow both urban and rural residents to access and enjoy green spaces and other frequented destinations.
Although cycling has been making the most headlines, other forms of outdoor recreation have also grown in popularity. Popular State Parks have filled by noon on weekends since the shutdown. Visitors have flooded public lands for outdoor recreation and with advisories against long distance travel, more and more people have found themselves searching for accessible and local places to enjoy nature. Having nearby greenways would provide significant outdoor recreational and transportation opportunities for residents, plus as the shutdown eases, they would enhance tourism and directly benefit the communities situated along them.
Construction on the Empire State Trail has continued and is expected to be completed by the end of 2020. The 750-mile trail will span from New York City to the Canadian border and west to Buffalo by incorporating the Erie Canalway Trail. The Empire State Trail anticipates 8.6 million annual users; the Erie Canalway Trail alone enjoyed an estimated 3.3 million visits in 2019.
A 2014 study conducted by Parks & Trails New York found the Erie Canalway Trail to be responsible for more than $250 million in economic impact and the creation of 3,400 jobs. Numerous residents along the trail agree that it has contributed to the revitalization of their communities. As the longest multi-use path in the nation, the Empire State Trail is expected to have similar effects.
New York State is a national leader in trail initiatives. A connected network of greenways linking smaller communities to popular destinations would enhance outdoor recreation, community vitality, and tourism development. Our society is currently experiencing a shift in mindset and New Yorkers are beginning to imagine a future in which sustainability and public health are top priorities. While the state has shown a laudable commitment to its park and trail system, we must continue to push for the growth of our greenways trail network to allow communities in all parts of the state to enjoy the benefits of being connected through trails.
We want to hear from you about your experience using greenway trails and how you'd like to see the network expand over the years to come. Take the Greenways Plan survey at www.greenwaysplan.org.