Analysis

 

Settlers once described the Town Branch corridor as a region thick with forest, cane breaks, wildlife, and clear, clean water.  Would they have thought that 225 years later the Town Branch Creek would be listed on the KPDES Storm Water Monitoring Report as the most polluted stream in the state? Fecal coliforms, hazardous storm water runoff, and an oozing landfill have all attributed to the deterioration of the ecology of the stream corridor.  This ecological barrier is a large hurdle to overcome, but with careful planning and time, the loss can be recovered.  The opportunity for enhancement of existing cane breaks, connection to nearby greenspaces, the protection and stabilization of the stream banks in the riparian zone, would not only improve water quality, but provide aesthetics, and recreation and wildlife corridors. Although the surrounding land uses have contributed to the neglect and abuse of the Town Branch Creek, these industries also provide an opportunity as an educational resource in the form of potential nodes of interest and points of access.  Industries such as the dormant city incinerator, closed landfill, and the sewage treatment plant can be converted to educational nodes for potential recreators.  Even though unsightly and noisy, the interconnection of roads and railroad lines adjacent to the Town Branch Creek provide the opportunity for points of access from outlying communities to trails that lead to downtown Lexington.  Perhaps of greatest concern is the conflict of interest between privately owned land and public accessibility and use.

The four mile stretch of Town Branch that we studied weaves through many different land uses, beginning in downtown Lexington, winding through industrial and residential neighborhoods, and out to the rolling bluegrass.  Each land use offers a different set of opportunities and  constraints to work through. Although this task seems like a mammoth undertaking, remember that we have model greenways across the country reminding us that success comes in numbers.  An entire community can benefit when citizens, governments, and advocated groups work together to reach a common goal.

Fayette and Surrounding County Stream Corridors and Bike Trails

 

REGIONAL CONNECTIONS:

 

After studying the local opportunities and constraints found within the Town Branch Corridor, regional connections were also considered.  Looking at the existing greenway plan for Fayette County, it was observed that many of the planned greenways were located along stream corridors.  If we were to look far into the future, these greenways could someday be expanded to include all stream corridors, forming a comprehensive network of open space while protecting water quality throughout the county. 

Stream corridors have many ecological functions.  Forested corridors prevent soil erosion, filter impurities, and also act as valuable wildlife corridors that provide essential habitat and facilitate movement between areas. Since human development often fragments wildlife habitat, it is very important to consider the role of stream corridors if the biodiversity of the region is to be protected.

Soon after passing through the county line, the Town Branch runs into the South Fork of Elkhorn Creek, which eventually flows to the Kentucky River.  The South Fork serves as a link to the north and west side of Fayette Co.  It is possible to imagine that someday the Town Branch Greenway could extend all the way to Frankfort, linking Midway and Georgetown along the way.  Considering the case studies we saw earlier, there are many precedents for such regional connections.

There are also several designated bike trails that run through and around Fayette County, such as the Bluegrass Bike trail which extends across the northern section of the county boundary.  This trail could possibly link in with a Town Branch greenway, serving to connect downtown Lexington with the state’s network of bike trails.