Partners for Parks and Sustain Charlotte Join Forces for More Greenways

Working together makes advocacy stronger, and Partners for Parks is teaming up with Sustain Charlotte to push for more greenways in Mecklenburg County. Since the first Mecklenburg County Master Plan advocated for 73 miles of greenways along 14 creeks in 1980, greenways have been considered a valuable recreation source while preserving wetlands and floodplains.

In 1999, the County updated its Master Plan to include 185 miles of greenways and trails, but by 2008 only 30 miles had been built. Currently, Mecklenburg County has reached its 2018 goal of 62 miles of greenways, with another 12 miles set to open within the next year. The greenway movement is building momentum as a way to exercise, connect to parks and shopping, and commute to work or leave cars behind.

But work is still far behind that original 1980 Master Plan, and Sustain Charlotte sees a partnership with Partners for Parks and the Cross Charlotte Trail as a way to advocate for the funds that will step up construction on a very popular asset.

“We recognized, earlier this year, the need for increased advocacy to build out our greenway network and Greenway Master Plan,” says Shannon Binns, Founder and Executive Director of Sustain Charlotte. Sustain Charlotte advocates for smart growth strategies to create sustainable development in our fast-growing region. “We recognized Partners for Parks is here, and has been around a long time advocating for parks.”

Approaching the Board of County Commissioners as a team allows each group to speak louder than they would alone.

In January, Partners for Parks Board Member Emily Condon addressed commissioners, asking for their continued support of greenway expansion as a way to create more equitable access to parks and recreation for Mecklenburg County residents. That same night, Binns also asked commissioners to adequately fund the 2018 greenway plan that called for 30 additional miles of greenways by 2023.

In February, Paul Freestone, Chairman of the Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Committee, recommended the commissioners fund $35 million a year for greenway expansion and land acquisition, at least initially. The investment would allow the county to “bank” land for future greenways at today’s prices. The request is supported by Partners for Parks.

“Partners for Parks is appreciative and supportive of the research, advocacy and recommendations of the PRC,” says Beth Poovey, President of the Partners for Parks Board of Directors.

While the expansion is gaining momentum, there is still a lot of work to be done, says Binns.

“In the short term, the County set a goal in 2018 to build 30 additional miles by 2023,” says Binns. “We’re not there yet – only 7 of those miles have been built.”

As part of the teamwork for advocacy, Sustain Charlotte and Partners for Parks has committed to hosting 6 greenway events together. The first, a virtual presentation, laid out current greenway plans. Another event, scheduled for March 19, will be a walking and biking tour of the Little Sugar Creek Greenway/ Cross Charlotte Trail around the James K. Polk Birthplace in Pineville. The next segment of the XClt, from the Polk Birthplace to the South Carolina state line, is currently under construction.

An expanded greenway network is better for the health and wellness of both residents and the environment, says Binns.

“When they are extensive enough to make a true network, people can go places they want to go without getting in the car,” says Binns. He looks forward to the partnership between Sustain Charlotte and Partners for Parks gaining momentum, too.

“We can have more impact while we’re working together,” he added.