Greenway goals for 2012 making big progress or are now finished
by Cameron Fisher Cleveland/Bradley Greenway Board
Jun 24, 2012 | 272 views | 0 0 comments | 2 2 recommendations | email to a friend | print
At the first of the year I presented 10 goals for the Cleveland/Bradley County Greenway for 2012. Now, as half the year is in the books, it’s time to assess where we stand in fulfilling those goals:

1. Lights on Phase 4: Lights were installed by Cleveland Utilities earlier this year, first between Mohawk and Tinsley Park, and then through Tinsley to Raider Drive.

2. Completion of Phase 5: Technically, this was achieved on May 31, when asphalt was laid on the Tinsley Park Trail. Over the last month, hundreds, if not thousands, have discovered the four miles of continuous Greenway, complete with two miles of new lights.

3. Completion of Tinsley Park upgrade: An upgrade of playground, picnic and restroom facilities at Tinsley Park has been completed. It is adjacent to Phase 5 of the Greenway.

4. Clear direction for Phase 6: On June 14, the Greenway board formally declared Phase 6 to be from the current terminus on Willow Street to the Village Green Town Center. The board was also presented with some exciting plans from a prospective developer that would greatly benefit progress of the Greenway in this area. More on that to come.

5. Enhancement of Mohawk Drive trailhead: Since January, this area has become a popular launching point for Greenway users. The city has removed large chunks of concrete and poured a connecting sidewalk to the trailhead. It’s not done, but this area is much improved.

6. Greenway calendar: Also at the June 14 Greenway board meeting, Parks and Recreation Director Patti Petitt agreed to spearhead an online Greenway calendar which lists events such as fundraisers, races, cleanup days, planting days and other items of interest.

7. Identification of third restroom location: The process of identifying a location for a third restroom has been ongoing since the first of the year. It is hoped an announcement for a location can be made later this summer.

8. Placement of distance markers: With an uninterrupted stretch of four miles of Greenway, we can now seriously consider permanent distance markers between Mohawk Drive and Willow Street. At this time, it has been recommended that small markers be painted on the Greenway in quarter-mile increments, starting at Mohawk Drive.

9. Apply for grants: The Greenway has been fortunate to receive grants from the state of Tennessee and the local Healthy Community Initiative. Now that Phase 5 is complete, we as a community can apply for the next grant to benefit our Greenway.

10. Establishment of “Habitats”: In 2011, a section of our Greenway was designated an Urban Wildlife Habitat. The Tinsley Park section could qualify for this designation as well. There is also ample area to provide shelters (i.e. birdhouses, etc.) for birds and other wildlife along the Greenway.

Halfway through the year, nearly all of the goals have been completed or touched upon. There have also been some exciting new developments, such as the addition of the Greenway Public Arts initiative.

We look forward to tying a ribbon on three of the major goals as a formal ribbon cutting will take place later this summer for Phase 5 and the Tinsley Park upgrades.

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Online:

www.cbcgreenway.com