Charlotte Greenways and Trails

[kayman]

On 1/30/2024 at 2:32 PM, KJHburg said:

Little Sugar Creek greenway between Brandywine and Park Rd suffered some flood damage and some tree damage.  I think the parks and rec department needs a better solution for the metal barriers with flooding a real possibility on this section of the greenway.  From Monday.  I heard from a parks employee who was removing mud the flooding went up to 13 feet  which explains the damage and it brought down some trees.   Other solutions for barriers might be needed as this is almost like a canyon here when the water rises quickly.  

 

Above comments like this are so curious to me. I've worked on several trail systems before across the country. 

The Carolina Thread Trail greenway system (which the Mecklenburg County  Park & Recreation Dept. maintenance within unincorporated and Charlotte proper) has three purposes 1) it's a controlled watershed flood zone to prevent widespread areal flooding, 2) it's a green space recreational amenity, 3) built to be an alternative mode of regional mobility. 

The first purpose is the primary and latter two are the secondary.  Also we cannot control the force of fast moving currents of flood waters. The metal barriers are not really for flooding as much as non-flooding safety measure to keep greenway trail users from winding up in the creek bed.  Floodwaters also very unpredictable so there's not much else they can do. 

The first purpose is similar to this major project:

https://trinityrivercorridor.com/flood-control/dallas-floodway-project

Also to the skeptical reactions: I meant what I said. You're just proving my point to be true. Also the post & reaction are more confusing and indictment on your own lack of intellectual curiosity & ability to see that statement was intellectually lazy.  It's a floodway mitigation measure not just a recreational greenway for your leisurely critiques. 

Edited February 14 by kayman

[InSouthPark]

Greenway Construction: Ryder Ave to 51. Lots of work being done on the parking lot along 51. Not sure if this will be a staging area for construction since it is on the other side of the creek from most construction…but they are working hard there. LOT of deep mud near the 51 underpass. 

[KJHburg]

One of my favorites when in Matthews area the Four Mile Creek greenway and Squirrel Lake Park. 

Get out and walk a greenway on the next nice day. 

 

[KJHburg]

I previewed this greenway a couple of months ago but now it is open.  Long Creek Greenway is now 3.5 miles from the SuperTarget at Northlake to Beatties Ford road.

New stretch of greenway opens in north Charlotte - Axios Charlotte

[KJHburg]

One of my favorite greenways in the county as I would describe this as the quietest part of Mecklenburg County.  Only birds, leaves rustling, no sounds of cars or planes or anything up in the far NE corner of the county outside Davidson.  2 parks side by side.  

 

[KJHburg]

New greenway and over the water boardwalk in Hickory.  I will have to drive up there to check this out.

Hickory's city trail system making progress with opening of Riverwalk (qcnews.com)

Riverwalk Information | City of Hickory (hickorync.gov)

[KJHburg]

all new greenway webpage and easy-to-get maps of the existing greenways and find out about new additions and projects.

Greenways | Park and Recreation (mecknc.gov)

Greenway Projects | Park and Recreation (mecknc.gov)  new additions and projects. 

[KJHburg]

Walked the new Long Creek greenway near Northlake and went under I-485 (only the 4th place a greenway goes under 485 the others are in south Charlotte)   . There are Lots of wetlands, a refurbished creek, and a bridge to nowhere as the greenway stops and there is no development nearby.  There are lots of neighborhood connections.    You can hear I-485 as the greenway parallels it for a bit.  Crossed the Transco pipeline twice and not all the signage and benches are in yet.  

From Treyburn to Beatties Ford.

Mecklenburg County Park Explorer (mecklenburgcountync.gov)

[KJHburg]

Follow up on my bridge to nowhere comment about the Long Creek Greenway photos above.  The bridge evidently leads to the ruins of the old colonial-era grist mill.  I did not see it but it is there somewhere.

Long Creek Mill Ruin | Charlotte-Mecklenburg Historic Landmarks Commission

I  will try to see it when I have my snake boots on.  

 

Edited April 8 by KJHburg