Trail and Greenway Facts

What is a Greenway?

Greenways, often with their associated hiking or multi-use trails, are ribbons of undeveloped land. In rural areas, greenways are often in the form of wide corridors of open space. In urban areas, greenways simply may be a thirty-foot right-of-way with a developed hike and bike trail.

In "Greenways for America," Charles Little categorizes five types of greenways: Urban Riverside Greenways, Recreational Greenways, Ecologically Significant Natural Corridors, Scenic and Historic Routes, and Comprehensive Networks.

In Bulloch County, we will concentrate on the development of a comprehensive network of recreational greenways. For the purpose of the Bulloch Greenways Partnership, greenways are linear, open spaces that connect parks and community areas to form a cohesive park, recreation and open space system. A greenway allows for safe pedestrian or non-motorized transportation between community destinations. It expands recreational opportunities, aids in the protection of natural and scenic areas, and contributes to a community's public and economic health.

What are the Benefits of Greenways?

Greenways can serve as the lungs and kidneys of our cities and towns, cleansing the air we breathe and water we drink. Greenways offer recreational opportunities, which because of their linear nature, are directly accessible to more people than traditional parks. Greenways also provide car-free transportation routes for cyclists and walkers.

General Potential Benefits of Greenways:

Flood and Erosion Control
Resource Protection
Safety
Community Enhancement
Open Space Protection
Recreation
Transportation
Tourism and Economic Benefits