09/22/1994 - Laserfiche WebLink

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r Metropolitan Greenways: Green 0 Connections for Urban Areas by Elizabeth Porter and Wink Hastings By the year 2000,80 ridgeline,or overland along a natural and man-made corri- dors of all Amen- railroad right-of-way converted dors that connect the open space cans will live in urban to recreational use,a canal,a pieces of an entire metropolitan areas. A surprising scenic road or other route." area. The types of,and pur- statistic? Not when we consider Park managers,elected officials poses for,greenways are so the mass migration toward met- and citizens across the United varied that any community can ropolitan areas that has oc- States are working to create identify its own opportunities curred in this country since the greenway systems, weaving and create a greenway system start of the industrial revolu- them into metropolitan areas, tailored to its own needs and tion. In their quest to maintain connecting the city with the resources. Of the many benefits a connection with nature while country and reacquainting of a greenway, perhaps none is - reaping the economic and cul- people with their natural envi- more important than the ability tural benefits of city life, Ameri- ronment. of a greenway to protect a cans have historically settled at Often considered the"lungs region's character, fostering a the point where city meets of a city,"greenway systems "sense of place" so important to country. This has resulted in provide the built environment a community's residents. the suburban sprawl which with open space,areas for natu- Greenway systems are a surrounds most American cities. ral resource protection,outdoor response to the dilemma pre- . The more these suburbs grow, recreation opportunities,wild- sented by Will Rogers when he the more urban and suburban life migration routes,alternative said "Land, they just don't residents are cut off from the transportation routes and circu- make it anymore." These linear natural environment. latory systems for cleaning air systems can be created by stitch- In her book,The Granite and water. A greenway system ing together abandoned lots and Garden,Anne Whiston Spirn is frequently a combination of railroad corridors,waterfront describes the effects of the"sub- urban phenomenon" with these words: "The magnitude of 19th A.- and 20th Century migration to the suburbs eventually brought ' ,` ` the environmental problems of } -- �� the city to the countryside,and . ' �_� _ created a massive wall of pri- _ - t `�_ V. vately owned property between =_ _= 1 those who live within the inner 's s, _ , 4 t•��'" . city and the rural precincts be- .-�-%- r0 - ,., a ff .: : e• . Jr - yond,a wall even more effec- ,^ f•' I. '' i r-- 4. five in separating the city from . r• ! lilt wra: the surrounding countryside : _.d �- than the extensive fortification of 17th and 18th century(Eu- _.� ' ~ ► �� - li . \ rope)." t-- t , • -� % i Todav's greenway move- , , - _ - I I S ment is both a reaction and a f x ' i solution to the suburban wall. _fA r +c' w. • In Charles Little's book entitled . .? �� Al_ M Greenways for America,a �' t � _z greenway is defined as 'linear, ' & - z open space established along either a natural corridor such as Beth Porter,Mark Hirth of the Richmond Renaissance and Joe Davis from the a riverfront,stream valley or Conservation Fund discuss the Metro Corridor Project.