Planning a World-Class Greenway System for Greenville County Presented by: Charles A. Flink, FASLA President Greenways Incorporated

Greenways 101 What is a Greenway? What is a Greenway? Where are Greenways Found? Where are Greenways Found? Why are Greenways Important? Why are Greenways Important?

What is a Greenway?

Multi-Objective Greenways GreenwaysGreenways FloodplainManagementFloodplainManagement GrowthManagementGrowthManagement StewardshipStewardship Water Quality Protection Protection EconomicDevelopmentEconomicDevelopment AlternativeTransportationAlternativeTransportation

Greenway Corridor Types Vocabulary of Types Type 1: No development Type 1: No development Type 2: Limited development Type 2: Limited development Type 3: Multi-use unpaved trails Type 3: Multi-use unpaved trails Type 4: Multi-use paved trails Type 4: Multi-use paved trails Type 5: On-road trails Type 5: On-road trails Type 6: Paddleway trail Type 6: Paddleway trail

Where are Greenways Found? Suburban Rural Urban

Why are Greenways Important? Greenways connect us to natural places we treasure -- and enable us to preserve these places for future generations Greenways connect us to natural places we treasure -- and enable us to preserve these places for future generations

Why are Greenways Important? Greenways connect us to our communities and allow citizens to freely and safely navigate a variety of urban and suburban environments. Greenways connect us to our communities and allow citizens to freely and safely navigate a variety of urban and suburban environments.

Why are Greenways Important? Greenways connect us with each other -- serving to break down social barriers and serving as America’s new “Main Street” for community events. Greenways connect us with each other -- serving to break down social barriers and serving as America’s new “Main Street” for community events.

The Benefits of Greenways Transportation Health/Wellness Environment Education Economics

Resources on Greenway Planning Both books are available from Island Press

A Framework for Greenway Systems Effective Greenway programs are based on the “Hubs and Spokes” model. Effective Greenway programs are based on the “Hubs and Spokes” model. Connections is the key - create opportunities for community residents to be linked to outdoor resources. Connections is the key - create opportunities for community residents to be linked to outdoor resources. Farmland Workplace or Center City Residential Neighborhood Hub: Federal Land Hub: City Park Hub: County Or State Park Shopping Center School Sensitive Habitat Spoke: Landscaped Roadway Spoke: Rail-Trail Spoke: River/Stream Corridor

Key Elements of Planning Hubs and Spokes Framework Framework GIS Mapping Public Involvement Plan of Action Source of Funding Acquisition/DevelopmentAcquisition/Development

Key Steps in Planning Step 1: Consensus Building Step 1: Consensus Building Step 2: Data Collection/Synthesis Step 2: Data Collection/Synthesis Step 3: Needs Identification Step 3: Needs Identification Step 4: Prepare Draft Greenways Plan Step 4: Prepare Draft Greenways Plan Step 5: Draft Plan Review Step 5: Draft Plan Review Step 6: Prepare Final Greenway Plan Step 6: Prepare Final Greenway Plan Step 7: Present Final Plan Step 7: Present Final Plan Step 8: Develop Implementation Strategies Step 8: Develop Implementation Strategies

Step 1: Consensus Building Form Advisory Committee Form Advisory Committee Hold Public Open House Meetings Hold Public Open House Meetings Publish a Newsletter Publish a Newsletter

Step 1A: Public Workshops Conduct public workshops: Conduct public workshops: Initial workshop with citizens would define goals and solicit ideas for updates to system. Initial workshop with citizens would define goals and solicit ideas for updates to system. Follow up workshop would be to present preliminary Greenway Plan and discuss implementation program. Follow up workshop would be to present preliminary Greenway Plan and discuss implementation program. Conduct public workshops: Conduct public workshops: Initial workshop with citizens would define goals and solicit ideas for updates to system. Initial workshop with citizens would define goals and solicit ideas for updates to system. Follow up workshop would be to present preliminary Greenway Plan and discuss implementation program. Follow up workshop would be to present preliminary Greenway Plan and discuss implementation program.

Step 2: Data Collection Use GIS technology to complete a thorough data collection effort that will include: Use GIS technology to complete a thorough data collection effort that will include: Assessment of existing greenspace in Greenville County Assessment of existing greenspace in Greenville County Plot all information on separate layers into GIS data set using ESRI Arc View (NAD 83) Plot all information on separate layers into GIS data set using ESRI Arc View (NAD 83) Conduct field investigations Conduct field investigations Review prior greenspace planning efforts Review prior greenspace planning efforts

GIS Screening Process Step 2Step 1 Step 3 Existing Greenspace. Analysis GIS Data Set Water Resources Roads & Utilities Wildlife Habitat Floodplains/ Stream Corridors Wetlands T. I. P. Slopes and Soils Watersheds Historic Sites Base Data Community Resources Phasing GIS Analysis Greenway System Map Land Cover Select and prioritize greenbelt segments GIS Analysis Short Term 0 to 2 years Medium Term 2 to 5 years Long Term 5 years & up

Data Available from Greenville County GIS: Zoning Street Centerlines Railroads Traffic Counts Streams and Rivers Lakes Parks, Libraries, & other Landmarks Contour Lines (4, 8, & 12 Feet) Aerial Photography

Meadowbrook Park Plan

Proposed Master Plan for Travelers Rest

Mauldin Greenway Planning Efforts

Determining a “Level of Service” – LOS Determining a “Level of Service” – LOS Why? Provide adequate supply of greenspace resources to serve the public health, safety and welfare needs of Greenville County residents. Why? Provide adequate supply of greenspace resources to serve the public health, safety and welfare needs of Greenville County residents. Proper balance of greenspace and developed land. Proper balance of greenspace and developed land. Proximity and accessibility are key elements of satisfying needs of residents. Proximity and accessibility are key elements of satisfying needs of residents. Barriers to access and use must be considered Barriers to access and use must be considered Step 3: Needs Assessment

NRPA Standards Adopted Policies Demographic Trends Leisure Activity Trends Prior Planning Efforts Statistical Surveys Opinion Surveys Public Input Market Reckoning Benefits of Greenspace Community Comparison Determining a Level of Service

Current Greenspace in Charleston County Local Government greenspace 6,683 acres State and Federal greenspace 128,916 acres Private greenspace 25,785 acres Totals161,384 acres Data Source: Greenways Incorporated 2005

Distribution of Public Greenspace - LOS

Step 4: Draft Master Plan Prepare draft Master Plan that will: Define level of service of the system Define level of service of the system Define uses for each corridor Define uses for each corridor Define financial constraints associated with facility development (O&M) Define financial constraints associated with facility development (O&M) Define sources of funding Define sources of funding

Conceptual Framework Progressive framework that forecasts immediate and long term needs Progressive framework that forecasts immediate and long term needs How are these needs met How are these needs met Illustrated on GIS mapping Illustrated on GIS mapping Described in report Described in report

MetroGreen System Map A “Greenprint” for future growth and development of the Kansas City Region. A “Greenprint” for future growth and development of the Kansas City Region. “Just as you would not consider building a home without a blueprint, we should not continue to grow our communities without a Greenprint.” “Just as you would not consider building a home without a blueprint, we should not continue to grow our communities without a Greenprint.”

29 Regional Trail Conceptual Map Connecting Communities 500 miles of trail 2.3 million people 40 destinations 7,300 sq. miles 15 counties

Future of the 15-County Region Hubs of the Future Bikeable Community Walkable Community Transit Friendly Thriving Downtowns A Region of Communities

Charlotte-Mecklenburg County Greenway Plan

Step 5: Review Draft Plan Meet with citizens to review draft plans Meet with citizens to review draft plans Coordinate plan review with a public workshop - solicit input on draft recommendations Coordinate plan review with a public workshop - solicit input on draft recommendations Articulate for community residents how greenway program will be implemented Articulate for community residents how greenway program will be implemented

Step 6: Final Master Plan Final Master Plan should include: Final Master Plan should include: Description of Greenway Corridors Description of Greenway Corridors Estimate of Greenway Facility and Land Acquisition Costs Estimate of Greenway Facility and Land Acquisition Costs Implementation Strategy Implementation Strategy Design Development Guidelines Design Development Guidelines Land Acquisition strategy Land Acquisition strategy Define roles and responsibilities of County Define roles and responsibilities of County Final GIS Mapping Final GIS Mapping Digital files for uploading to web site Digital files for uploading to web site

Greenway Stewardship Who manages the increasing amount of greenway facilities Who manages the increasing amount of greenway facilities Public sector stewardship Public sector stewardship Private sector stewardship Private sector stewardship

Step 7: Present Final Plan Present Final Plan to: Advisory Committee Advisory Committee Parks and Recreation Commission Parks and Recreation Commission County Planning Commission County Planning Commission County Council County Council

Step 8: Ensuring Implementation of the Master Plan Create mechanisms within existing rules & regulations that will lead to the implementation of the greenways master plan: Create mechanisms within existing rules & regulations that will lead to the implementation of the greenways master plan: Cluster Ordinances Cluster Ordinances Connectivity Requirements Connectivity Requirements Development (and consistent enforcement) of a countywide growth framework Development (and consistent enforcement) of a countywide growth framework Public Funding for Greenway Development Public Funding for Greenway Development

Fundamentally, Greenways are about connections between people and the land.

Leaving a Legacy for Future Generations “To build a Greenway is to build a Community” Charles Little “To build a Greenway is to build a Community” Charles Little