Public input was a very important component of this study.  A public presentation (followed by a two day charrette), was hosted by the Department of Landscape Architecture and the Friends of the Parks of Fayette County, Inc.  Representatives from the local government, special interest groups, and members of the local planning and design community were in attendance.  Over 100 people attended the introductory presentation where the class presented case studies of similar greenway projects across the country, their Town Branch inventory and analysis, as well as the conceptual ideas for alternative visions of the watershed.   Participants were encouraged to ask questions and offer comments via a survey. The following pages document the intensive design work conducted by students and local design professionals to develop a vision for the greenway. 

Survey Comments
Approximately 50 people responded to the survey distributed at the McConnell Springs presentation.  The highest recorded interests of those surveyed were land-based recreation (walking, running, biking) and ecological quality, with protection of historic resources and development of educational opportunities following as a close second.  Most had little interest in the corridor becoming a place for new development, and preferred to see it as a conservation zone.  Additional comments are summarized as follows:

Most positive attributes of a future greenway:
- creating a recreational area which can beautify an historical and environmental asset and help unify the community
- a walking/biking path within close access/proximity of the downtown
- providing an identity to the town
- preservation of historic resources for the youth of Lexington
- improvements to the quality of life in Lexington
- preservation/restoration of natural resources
- dry stone masonry and greenspace in an industrial corridor
- reintegrating the city with its heritage and natural landscape
- the possibility of daylighting portions of the covered channel
- linkages!
- alternate recreation areas for the disabled
- improved environmental quality
- natural beauty accessible to all 
- everything!
- a non-motorized transportation path
- remnants of natural watershed vegetation that still exist, and possibilities of native restoration
- possibility of restoring the historic natural pond on Old Frankfort Pike
- educational tours from downtown out to rural area

Biggest challenges of a future greenway:
- funding and support for cleanup and development
- current water quality problems and current access
- environmental and private property issues
- government support
- covered portions of stream & so much industry
- money needed for rehab of historic buildings and structures
- amount of environmental reclamation necessary
- development
- the civic center parking lot
- highly disturbed natural vegetation 
- trying to get landowners to give up rights to their land
- security (safety) & trash