Durham, North Carolina - Greenway System

  Rich in history and bustling with energy, Durham, North Carolina, realized the need for a recreation system for its growing community.  Although, Durham, North Carolina’s greenway system is still in infancy, it is an example of a city, similar in size and structure to Lexington, with the foresight and wisdom to develop a recreation system that would benefit the community.  In the mid 1980’s, an ambitious greenway plan was developed but got off to a slow start with only 2 miles of trails completed in its first 10 years.  In 1996, the Durham Open Space and Trails Commission sunk its teeth into a 4 million dollar bond from Durham’s residents.  This bond provided the necessary funds to dust off the Urban Trails and Greenway Master Plan and begin breaking ground for trails.  Two years later six miles of greenway were completed with a goal of 30 miles of completed trails by 2005.  Upon completion of the greenway system, Durham hopes to have 120 miles of trails connecting neighborhoods with education centers, lakes, high schools, parks, museums, Duke University, and reaching out to surrounding communities.