Using the Tool

• Create a Greenways and Trails Advisory Committee with community representatives, developers, your local land trust contact, and others, and provide staff support to it through Parks and Recreation and/or the Council of Governments. This body can become your planning and advisory group, to help build up and “sell” your local greenway and trail plans.
• Contact the Carolina Thread Trail for a detailed map of their vision of the Thread Trail for your county, with additional detail for your community, if available.
• Assess your current trail planning for connectivity to the Thread Trail, which allows you to become part of a larger network (providing potential funding, technical assistance, and eco-tourism opportunities).
• Identify ways to boost the connectivity and interest that might draw people to your trail system. This could include any significant historic or natural resources in the community that could become destination points along the trail network, and railroad rights-of-way in the community that could be a potential Rails to Trails connection. Consider also the connectivity of any greenways or trails with shopping, schools, and other destination points—what do you want to connect, and why?
• Consider co-locating trails and greenways in rights-of-way used by other utilities (e.g., natural gas corridors or water/sewer rights of way), that may provide connectivity where it is lacking.
• Discuss how you will link existing and new housing to the trail system. Options may include:
  • Developer set-asides for trails or greenways, included in subdivision regulations, or “fees-in-lieu” that provide funding for land purchase
  • “Greenway in lieu of sidewalk” alternatives for very suburban developments
  • Hazard mitigation funding to convert flood-prone areas to greenways or trails
  • Working with property owners of potential conservation areas to obtain easements for trail or greenway space to provide connectivity. Not everyone will be willing to do this, but this approach may help to fill critical gaps in trail connectivity.
  • The role that sidewalks will play in connecting neighborhoods to trails. They may be critical in older neighborhoods.
  • Vehicle access to trails, because not everyone in the community or county may be able to walk to a trail, and you’ll want multiple access points for trail access, which will involve parking lots or on-street parking.
• Consider also the trail or greenway rules and amenities that will be needed, such as:
  • Will you allow motorized vehicles or off-leash pets?
  • Will the trails accommodate bicycles as well as walkers? What will that mean in terms of width requirements?  This is an important consideration if you want the trail/greenway to also serve as a transportation option for getting to jobs, schools, or shopping.
  • What sight distances will you need around trees?
  • What protection if any adjacent to water bodies or steep slopes?
  • What about water fountains (for people and dogs), “mutt mitt” stations, bathrooms, benches, mile markers, posted rules, and signage?
  • Will you include lighting?
  • How will the trail/greenway be maintained?
  • Will there be special trail or greenway programming, or will that be confined to parks along the way? Note that some greenways get so much general use that “special events” that involve hundreds of additional users may not be feasible!
• Funding options include bonds, grants, developer contributions (see above), community fund-raising, user fees or suggested donations, and CIPs. Identify and investigate funding options that may be viable for each link you need to create, and for any new trails or greenways. Don’t overlook Safe Routes to School for paved greenways that connect with schools that can be used for walking or biking!
• Hold public input sessions—listen to the community for needs, vision, and ideas, and for offers of assistance and problem-solving! The public can become your biggest advocate.
• Update the greenway and trails plan to reflect the advisory body’s findings and deliberations and the public input received. Then take the steps necessary to gain approval for the updated plan, including a proposed funding and implementation strategy and timeline.
• Make sure that public expectations appreciate the fact that greenway and trail development is a long-term process.
• Make sure dedicated staff and volunteers are in place to keep trails and programs in top condition once completed to be a long-standing community and regional resource.