Charlotte Greenways and Trails

[Bruco72]

5 hours ago, RANYC said:

I think the greenways can be great forms of alternative mobility.  There must, however, be a general perception of both current and future safety of the greenways in order for them to be actively used as we all would like.  Two reports in the past week about two strangers randomly attacking women on the greenway are depressing.  Two stories in rapid succession like this may have a chilling effect on usage.
 

 

I’m on it everyday around the Boyce Park area. Certainly a more noticeable police presence but that difficult/expensive to keep up and it’s a lot of ground to cover. But they need a show of force at the moment. 
 

for what’s worth, when approaching a single woman, I’m quick with a smile and little wave and intentionally move a couple steps further away to the side. Seems a little and easy thing to do, especially right now 

[KJHburg]

It is prime greenway walking and biking season!  I did not even break a sweat today on the Toby Creek greenway through the UNCC campus.  Looking forward to walking again many of my favorites now that is cooler.   Even saw 2 deer on the other side of the creek even though my click of my camera got their attention.   Plus the other greenway that if you get hungry you can swing by Cookout!  Toby Creek is part of the XCLT trail. 

Get out walk and or bike your favorite this week and weekend. 

 

[KJHburg]

I call this next post Learning from Other Places Greenways edition.  While out west I did a lot of walking.  Took a 1.3 mile walk 700 feet under ground at Carlsbad Caverns NM.   While in San Antonio walked the entire downtown Riverwalk loop and the entire Museum Reach (northern stretch) and parts of the Mission Reach Riverwalk.  San Antonio has 82 miles of greenways but this does not include the Riverwalk downtown, Mission or Museum reaches which were developed and maintained by SAWS SA Water Service.   As the SA Riverwalk is basically a huge flood control project made into a world renown greenway trail.

https://www.sanantonio.gov/ParksAndRec/Parks-Facilities/Trails/Greenway-Trails

I walked on the Leon Creek which is basically an arroyo from what I saw (no water but evidence it does flow sometimes)  I started at the Valero trailhead and walked northward and back. 

so if you ever in San Antonio rent or bring your bike and head south to the Missions or north to the Pearl (yes they have a Pearl too the old Pearl Brewery) 

Most all greenways in SA TX are concrete due to the higher temperatures and much more flash flooding.  Also not advisable to get off the trails with all the rattlesnakes  present.  Read the sign about the huge flood control tunnels that go underneath and bypass downtown so to keep downtown SA from flooding as in the past. 

[KJHburg]

here is the image from SA I referenced about the flood control tunnels forgot to include it 

[KJHburg]

More Carolina Thread trails coming to Gaston County due to this grant.

https://catawbalands.org/catawba-lands-conservancy-awarded-1-1-million-in-state-grants/

[KJHburg]

In the area today walked this Concord greenway. 

 

[Bikeguy]

LSC Greenway just south of Brandywine/Woodlawn

[KJHburg]

^^^ wow that looks like a lot further behind than I thought.  I guess that is a harder section all boardwalk.  does anyone know the estimated time of completion of this missing link stretch?

[JRCLT]

^^^ wow that looks like a lot further behind than I thought.  I guess that is a harder section all boardwalk.  does anyone know the estimated time of completion of this missing link stretch?

Early Spring of next year it says.

https://charlottenc.gov/Projects/Pages/XCLTBrandywineTyvola.aspx

[Bikeguy]

Today.

[Third Strike]

Is there a list of future parks/sites that the city/county is working on developing? I live in East Charlotte, and it’s miles in all directions before I can reach a park. Just wondering what the city has planned for any new parks. 

[tozmervo]

3 hours ago, Third Strike said:

Is there a list of future parks/sites that the city/county is working on developing? I live in East Charlotte, and it’s miles in all directions before I can reach a park. Just wondering what the city has planned for any new parks. 

Sort of. The Master Plan is due for an update. Otherwise you can peruse the parks & greenways projects here: Capital Project Updates (mecknc.gov)

[KJHburg]

Now have walked on a Carolina Thread in 9 area counties in 2 states. Today short walk on the Piedmont Medical Center Trail at Riverwalk along the Catawba River.  It is 2.5 miles long and goes along the Catawba.  This would be a great trail to walk the entire length which I intend to do.  

https://www.carolinathreadtrailmap.org/trails/trail/riverwalk-piedmont-medical-center-trail

Since river walking along the Catawba is only in  a few places this is a great one along with the trails in Mt Holly Belmont  area. 

[KJHburg]

This is Greenway walking season.  

Todays greenway is the Four Mile Creek greenway in Matthews and the Squirrel Lake Park.   Part of the Carolina Thread.  All these creeks and rivers are way down.  

Notice the dog library gotta love those Matthews residents. 

[KJHburg]

I can't be the only one walking the area's greenways.  Take some photos when you are out walking.  The built environment is great but nothing compares to large tree or large wetland bird. 

This morning Toby Creek and Mallard Creek greenways in University area.  Spotted a blue heron. 

This is prime greenway walking season! Wet weekend but beautiful next week. 

[KJHburg]

My KJ picks for greenway walks for your out of town family, cousins, friends this long weekend in the QC.

1.  For the hip and young I suggest the original LSG Little Sugar Creek in from Cordelia Park to uptown.  Plenty of places  nearby for a drink or coffee too.  Or an alternative would be the Stewart Creek greenway from Wesley Heights to Uptown. 

2.  For the older and mobility challenged I suggest LSG again down behind Centrum Shopping center show them the wetland park  and plenty of ADA parking available close by.  See one of the larger wetlands in the county. 

3.  For the big city visitor looking for the country and wide open spaces I suggest West Branch of the Rocky River greenway up in Davidson starting in Aberdeen Park going down to Fisher Farm park.   Very quiet and not a house in sight.  

4.  For the arts person I would suggest Briar Creek greenway park at the Mint Museum on Randolph walk the greenway and then visit the museum. 

5.  For the those in academia I would suggest the Toby Creek greenway through the UNC Charlotte campus.  

But get out and walk a greenway this long weekend and you will know you need it!

Photos from the Hector Henry Greenway in Concord on Wed. off Weddington Road drop the relatives off at Concord Mills and go walking with those not interested in shopping.   Great views of the Rocky River only seen when the leaves come off. 

if you have other ideas on ideal greenway walks lets hear them. 

 

 

Edited November 24, 2022 by KJHburg

[KJHburg]

this coming year is the Year of the Trail in North Carolina.  check out this video and I know you will see some local favorites.  I will be participating all over the state I can assure you from the mountains to the sea!  

In fact I just went by in early Dec.  my last state park east of I-95 now I have been to all of them .  This coming year I will hike in all the remaining state parks which is not too many at this point. 

My photos from Jordan Lake State Recreational Area this week and from Hammocks Beach State Park in Onslow County in Dec.   So Jan. 1 I will be on a trail in the metro area for sure! 

Show me your trails this  upcoming year locally or statewide.  Nothing is finer than hiking in (North) Carolina! 

https://greattrailsnc.com/

 

[KJHburg]

Carolina Thread Trail and Catawba Lands Conservancy 2022 annual report.  I support this organization I love open space, greenways and preserved farmland.  If you do too support them and make a tax deductible contribution between now and Sunday for this year.   I can't wait to walk on some of these greenways in Charlotte and way beyond.  Even Shelby is getting a rail trail. 

https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/79899b81d7844825a66e50f6e211029f

[KJHburg]

Miscellaneous greenway walks in the last few days after the temps warmed up.  

From Huntersville one of my favorites Torrence Creek Greenway  even  a Big Foot sighting 

and Mallard Creek Greenway in University area. 
 

Remember 2023 is the Year of the Trail in NC

 

[KJHburg]

First Day Hike out at Riverbend Farm in southern Cabarrus.  Had to go close as I got a late start.  Great 1.6 mile roundtrip by the Rocky River through the woods and through the hay fields.   Cows don't like being watched when they eat LOL. 

The hardest part of any journey is the first step.  Start tomorrow start this week but start. 

https://www.carolinathreadtrailmap.org/trails/trail/riverbend-farm-trail   This is working farm and this trail is on an easement by the river.  

[KJHburg]

remember this is the year of the trail here in NC.  The Hector Henry greenway in Concord along Rocky River off Rocky River Rd.  the remains of the old wooden bridge is still present.  surrounded by new newer neighborhoods but nice walk along the river.   Part of the Carolina Thread.  Today. 

while in Florida last week sought out some trails in Pinellas County and found these at Weedon Island Preserve on Tampa Bay.  View from observation tower and some from Sawgrass Lake Park a county park.  This is the most urbanized county in Florida.  Those are mangroves.  Last 4 photos.

Find your trail wherever you are.  (hey maybe I could put that on tee shirts) 

[KJHburg]

walked a segment of Carolina Thread while up in Mooresville today in park.  Now have been to Carolina Thread trails in 9 NC counties and 2 counties in SC.  Find your trail today.  There is one near  you for sure.  

https://www.carolinathreadtrail.org/

[KJHburg]

Carolina Thread trail "the Falcon Trail" in Richfield in Stanly County.   Has 2 suspension bridges, a covered bridge and connects two towns.  starts in a town park.  

https://www.carolinathreadtrailmap.org/trails/trail/the-falcon-trail

find your trail this year.  

[KJHburg]

Today I took a self guided unauthorized tour of the not quite completed Missing Link section of Little Sugar Creek greenway from Brandywine next to Park Rd Shopping center to Tyvola Rd where the sewage treatment plant is located.  I would call this the Linn Cove Viaduct section just like in the last section of Blue Ridge Parkway being the most expensive and most complicated so is this stretch.   Huge retaining walls, concrete low bridges,  boardwalks on the cliffside etc.  The low parts of this stretch will flood frequently guaranteed from the mud I slogged through today.  But this is the missing link and once this opens what a grand trail we have have from NoDa to the state line in Pineville.  

First   4  photos are the stretch from Brandywine towards Runnymede where I was blocked by construction.  

Starting with 5th photo at Park Road and under Park Road south to Tyvola and the junction of the Brier Creek with LSC then back up under Park Rd again to  approx.  Wakefield Drive where the elevated boardwalk was blocked back over to Runnymede.  

when this opens I shall return and it will be glorious.  Everyone will enjoy this section as it at creek level then high above then back to creek level.   (notice that house off Selwyn Ave we call that lot in the business a "challenging lot".   The geese and the mallard ducks have already put their approval on this newly renovated stretch of the creek. 

[KJHburg]

and just remember this is the Year of the Trails here in NC the great trails state!