Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2009

Raleigh zig-zags on trail

Raleigh is asking a lot, maybe too much, of residents of North Raleigh's Summerfield North neighborhood, where the city plans to add a major greenway link that's unusually intrusive.

Unlike most other property owners, dozens of them face the prospect of greenway traffic crossing on the streets and sidewalks in front of their homes, instead of floodplains and sewer easements behind them.

Reader Amy David said, "This is not a greenway experience, and certainly not an amenity for the homes affected."

She makes two valid points, in my view, both of which seem lost on city officials.

Greenways, which really are linear parks, improve the quality of life for Raleigh residents. They're also, I believe, amenities for the neighborhoods abutting them, including mine.

But not if they put walkers and bicycle riders on people's front yards, which is what Summerfield North faces.

As a 2008 city brochure explains, greenways are "corridors of protected open space" that usually follow rivers, creeks and ridgelines.

Sometimes, however, greenways are built in power line rights of way, on former railroads, or along city streets, especially as connections between stream trails.

That's what Raleigh plans for the greenway through Summerfield North, which is to connect the popular Mine Creek greenway with Falls Lake's Honeycutt Creek trail.

It's further complicated by the fact that the city somehow allowed the construction of townhomes years ago in the original greenway corridor.

City officials have rejected two alternative routes a Summerfield North resident proposed. Unfortunately, they're along busy thoroughfares. And they look too indirect to me.

But the city is left espousing a contradiction: 1) We must have this major greenway connection, which is essential for our network; 2) But it's not going to carry much traffic, so neighbors needn't worry.

Both can't be true.

Then there's this paradox: If existing streets and sidewalks are good substitutes for greenways, as the city argues, then why do we need greenways?

If city leaders don't reconsider the route, I fear the conflict could sour people on greenways in general. And that's not a good path for Raleigh.