Overview

Charles Little, author of Greenways for America, describes a greenway as a linear open space connector linking parks, nature preserves, cultural features, or historic sites with each other and with populated areas.  This connector can be established along either a natural corridor such as a riverfront, stream valley, or ridgeline, or an overland along a railroad right-of-way that is converted to recreational use, a canal, scenic road, or other route.  It is any natural or landscaped course for pedestrian or bicycle passage and also a linear conservation area for the protection of the stream corridor and water quality.

Friends of the Park of Fayette County, Inc. has begun laying the foundation.  At their invitation, the University of Kentucky fourth year landscape architecture studio has been able to compile/gather information on Town Branch and the city of Lexington in preparation to draft a concept for Lexington’s first greenway.  First, our class began educating ourselves on examples of greenways across the nation.  We found that there are all types, shapes and sizes of greenways to model.  We would like to begin by showing you these successful greenways.

Case Studies

• Stowe Recreation Path

• Hudson River Valley Greenway

• Monon Trail

• E-way, Madison, WI

• Oak Ridge

• Durham, North Carolina Greenway System

• South Platte River Development