Charlotte Greenways and Trails

[elrodvt]

Nice, how close do you think they are?

[KJHburg]

1 minute ago, elrodvt said:

Nice, how close do you think they are?

within 30 days or so from what I have seen as I could not see under Runnymede but that boardwalk looked finished and they were repairing a section of the concrete on the other side of Runnymede where the trucks were parked.  The rest is clean up mud etc.  

[elrodvt]

Thanks! I'm excited for this one.

The one I used most often in Denver periodically flooded also.

It was usually all cleaned up 2 days after. I'm sure it drives considerable maintenance cost but not in the big picture. There the pavement was often undercut so a couple days was jumping right on it and working till it was done. Seemed like no big deal and it was worth it to be so close to the river. 

 

BTW, another difference I've noted here is far less nighttime construction. Obviously that sucks for drivers but I'd hate to be a worker in the winter! 

Edited February 1, 2023 by elrodvt

[KJHburg]

Yes several spots around the greenway system flood frequently but I have seen it cleaned up pretty fast under bridges usually on Little Sugar Creek and up on the Mallard Creek Greenway.  This will flood but that is what is supposed to happen and it is quickly over once the rain stops.   The greenways in San Antonio all have low concrete bridges as they frequently flash flood and the rest of the time there is just a trickle of water under them.  I think Parks and Rec has built flood proof structures into this design for this tight section of the creek through a very developed area.  

[InSouthPark]

20 hours ago, KJHburg said:

Yes several spots around the greenway system flood frequently but I have seen it cleaned up pretty fast under bridges usually on Little Sugar Creek and up on the Mallard Creek Greenway.  This will flood but that is what is supposed to happen and it is quickly over once the rain stops.   The greenways in San Antonio all have low concrete bridges as they frequently flash flood and the rest of the time there is just a trickle of water under them.  I think Parks and Rec has built flood proof structures into this design for this tight section of the creek through a very developed area.  

Hell, McMullen greenway floods all time and nothing there is flood proof.  Gets flooded, rains stop, flood recedes.  Mud stays.  Even on occasion...Little Sugar creek gets up to and over the high pedestrian bridges.  I have seen tree branches stuck in the pedestrian railings below Archdale.

That said...this new section you want to be dang sure you don't get stuck in between two flooded bridges or you are going for a swim.  No one is climbing those 20ft retaining walls to got get a coffee at Mugs if it starts to flood.

[stw52]

Looks like the long running disagreement about greenway access to Little Sugar Creek from Park Crossing has come to an end. Courts ruled against the last home owner who was objecting against the easement access point. Paywalled 

https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/crime/article272235483.html#storylink=mainstage_card5

 

 

[KJHburg]

the Year of the Trail continues how many new trails or greenways have your been on this year?

Here is a story featuring one of Charlotte's greenways from Our State Magazine

https://www.ourstate.com/year-of-the-trail-3-paved-greenways-in-the-piedmont/

[Bikeguy]

Got a sneak peak of the Stewart Creek Greenway this afternoon. A game changer for theWestside..

[InSouthPark]

The long awaited (at least by me) neighborhood greenway extension from 51 to McMullen greenway appears to be officially "out to bid" by NCDOT with a letting date of 6/1 with construction to start late 2023, finish 2024-25.  This project was supposed to start construction in 2020, delayed by Country Day/Carmel CC opposing it, delayed by COVID, delayed by NCDOT budget issues.   

It will be a 1 mile neighborhood connection that will connect multiple neighborhoods and apartment complexes, including some new mixed use at Carmel Commons.  Will also add direct access to Lidl and the hopefully soon to be built Publix along Carmel Commons Blvd. 

The delays on this have been infuriating.   Why Charlotte went with the NCDOT to partner with on this is beyond me.   At least we should start seeing some bulldozers by late fall. 

Carmel Crossing, the office complex Carmel and Carmel Commons, was recently rezoned MUDD-O a few months ago to allow two proposed apartment complexes (up to 700 units). I have think the greenway access is a big driver for that.

[KJHburg]

McDowell Creek greenway behind Birkdale Village in Huntersville into Cornelius.   Very quiet walk despite how overall busy this area is. And the retention ponds are great bird habitats look at these mallards.  Plus they naturally clean the stormwater before it goes into the creek.   https://www.carolinathreadtrailmap.org/trails/trail/mcdowell-creek-greenway

 

[KJHburg]

Another one of my UNauthorized not yet completed greenway trail hike.  I walked the Little Sugar Creek Greenway from Polk State Historic Site towards SC.  It was dirt, gravel, some paved is the stage of construction some parts finished and others not.  The creek really bends and curves here and there is a section like the Linn Cove Viaduct all elevated hugging a sloped wooded side.  I walked half of it and there were 2 bikers on the un opened trail too.  So here is your preview UP on this trail.  It probably has another 6-9 months before completion.  But boy it is beautiful and who knew there were so many townhomes and apartments in Pineville.   Check out my Preview the LSCG photos Polk to SC edition.   I was just checking on Mecklenburg County tax dollars being spent and checking on the contractor.  

""This capital project will develop ~ 2.9 mile greenway extension from the Polk Historic Site to the South Carolina State Line.  This greenway section is part of the Cross Charlotte Trail which will eventually connect Cabarrus County to the South Carolina State Line.  ""

When this and missing link section opens near Selwyn and Park Rd which I have already previewed this is going to be the grande trail of Charlotte and rightly so. 

finally an update on the Meck greenway site

Trail Mileage Summary (Updated October 2022):
Greenway Trails - 63.2 Miles

Greenway Access Trails - 18.1 Miles

Urban Trails - 27.5 Miles

Nature Preserve Trails - 77.5 Miles

Park Trails - 221.3 Miles (112.5 miles of paved trail and 108.8 miles of natural surface)

Parks and Greenways (mecknc.gov)

[KJHburg]

Just saw this greenway section photos above is projected to be completed in summer 2024.  Since I did not walk all the way to SC there may a lot more work to do. 

[CLT2014]

Proposed greenway expenditures may be rolled back as the County weighs how much debt and tax hikes residents can handle per this article. Would be unfortunate. 

CMS wants $3 billion to renovate schools
The County wants $2.6 billion for greenways, parks, libraries, and Latta Place
Total = $5.6 billion

Doesn't include potential tax hikes needed for transit expansion. 

The county's CFO has said the recommended top end is $2.5 billion for CMS and $750 million for the county projects. The only school bond amount that doesn't require about 10 years of tax increases would be a $1 billion CMS bond. 

https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/politics-government/article272840810.html#storylink=mainstage_lead

 

Edited March 8, 2023 by CLT2014

[KJHburg]

Since this is the Year of the Trail here in NC decided to walk on a new one today.  The First Broad River Trail in Shelby a Carolina Thread trail and now my 11th different county in 2 states on a Thread trail.  This one had a 170 foot long suspension bridge over the river.  It was the longest such bridge I have seen in the CT network and the highest.  I call it the Golden Gate Bridge of suspension foot bridges.   Highly recommend this trail.  2 trail heads including where I parked at the Ingles Food store on Hwy 74/ NC 226.  (Ingles is the Harris Teeter of Western NC with their Starbucks, in store dining,  gas station etc) So I parked here and walked to where I was going to park in a park.  It also interconnected to a Rail to Trail trail where an old railline is made into a trail.   Glad I was the only one on the suspension bridge when I crossed.  If fearful of heights and movement while on bridge beware.   Otherwise it is quite an adventure.  

Find your trail today.

https://www.carolinathreadtrailmap.org/trails/trail/first-broad-river-trail

[KJHburg]

My vehicle was getting a check up at a nearby dealer so I went on the greenway behind the dealership.  Some new signage for the Carolina Thread and a new map showing future segments of what I am calling the XCCT  the Cross Cabarrus Trail since one day it will be linked up to Mecklenburg near Davidson at the county line and down and following the Rocky River.  There are already open segments now.  

[Nathan2]

https://www.mecknc.gov/ParkandRec/CapitalProjects/PlannedGreenways/SiteAssets/Pages/default/Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Greenways Map Aug. 2021.pdf

Does anyone know if a more up-to-date map of the Greenway system exists anywhere? The most up to date map that I can find is from 2021. 

[KJHburg]

4 hours ago, Nathan2 said:

https://www.mecknc.gov/ParkandRec/CapitalProjects/PlannedGreenways/SiteAssets/Pages/default/Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Greenways Map Aug. 2021.pdf

Does anyone know if a more up-to-date map of the Greenway system exists anywhere? The most up to date map that I can find is from 2021. 

I cant ever find one they dont have a good map of what is under construction what is just planned.  

[KJHburg]

some photos of the Antiquity greenway which connects into the larger South Prong of the Rocky River greenway that goes between Davidson and Cornelius.    Mecklenburg County's only covered bridge! 

[KJHburg]

Find your trail this spring.

[SouthEndCLT811]

Has there been any timeline on that 'Trail (County)' piece between Polk and Park Road?  We just got ebikes and with the opening of LSCG all the way to Polk I was looking at a way to get to the new Ballantyne Bowl and noticed this is the lone gap to get from Park Road Shopping Center area down to Ballantyne, as the developers are making a Lower McAlpine connector.

Currently we'd just exit LSCG by Pineville-Matthews/Carolina Place Pkwy and ride Carolina Place for 0.75 miles which isn't bad.  This little short cut just seems a bit more convenient and safer 

 

Edited April 11, 2023 by SouthEndCLT811

[InSouthPark]

2 hours ago, SouthEndCLT811 said:

Has there been any timeline on that 'Trail (County)' piece between Polk and Park Road?  We just got ebikes and with the opening of LSCG all the way to Polk I was looking at a way to get to the new Ballantyne Bowl and noticed this is the lone gap to get from Park Road Shopping Center area down to Ballantyne, as the developers are making a Lower McAlpine connector.

Currently we'd just exit LSCG by Pineville-Matthews/Carolina Place Pkwy and ride Carolina Place for 0.75 miles which isn't bad.  This little short cut just seems a bit more convenient and safer 

Yes, it has a timeline of "not likely ever".  

The county has given up hope as the land owners (Ocala, Haverties, Ethan Allen) there would not sell or give right of way for the connection. This comes directly from the county greenway planners to me.  They are a planning however to install a mixed use sidewalk along the mall side all the way down to 51 where it connects to the greenway.  You can also thank Pineville for not installing (or planning) sidewalks on any of their town property, even though that would be a much shorter, simpler solution.   The county said it is a complicated project (i.e. gonna take a while). 

The only hope is that one or more of the parcels is redeveloped and then the city would require a path. So unless the Ocala and/or Haverties gets re-zoned, it ain't happening. 

Edited April 11, 2023 by InSouthPark

[SouthEndCLT811]

Thanks for the update!

[InSouthPark]

On 4/11/2023 at 12:11 PM, SouthEndCLT811 said:

Thanks for the update!

Speak of the devil: https://www.charlotteobserver.com/charlottefive/c5-wellness/article272840030.html

In todays article, Katie Loyd (County Greenway planner and who I got my info from before) states that the sidewalk project along the mall to connect the two greenways is expected to be completed by mid-2024.  I don't believe that for one second BUT it sounds like it is actually moving along.  It also states the "challenges" about acquiring the direct connection to Polk House.   While not ideal having to go by multiple mall entrances, it is better than not having any sidewalks at all (thanks Pineville)!  It sounds like the mall owner is cooperating at least (not sure why they wouldn't...this can only increase mall traffic). 

[KJHburg]

Thanks for the article above and here are updates on other greenways around the county:

Briar/Little Hope Creek Greenway – This project will create 1.5 miles of greenway in south Charlotte, beginning at Keystone Court, moving through Marion Diehl Park and then along Little Hope Creek, eventually ending at Manning Drive. Estimated completion is mid-2024.

Caldwell Station Tributary Greenway – Construction is underway on the .83-mile trail that will connect the existing Caldwell Station Greenway to the new Northern Regional Recreation Center on Old Statesville Road. Estimated completion is late 2023.

Irvins Creek Greenway – The project, which is being built in partnership with the Town of Matthews, will add the first section of greenway trail built on Irvins Creek in Matthews. The greenway trail will be approximately 1.5 miles long and will provide a connection between Crown Point Elementary School and Idlewild Road Park. Estimated completion is mid-2023.

Long Creek Greenway and stream improvement – Phase one (I-77 to Treyburn) is expected to open this spring, providing pedestrian connections to Long Creek Club Drive, Reames Road, Secretariat Drive, Northlake Center Parkway, Bayview Parkway and Treyburn Drive. Phase two (Treyburn to I-485), includes two miles of trails, along with stream and wetlands enhancements, with an estimated completion by early 2024. Phase three (I-485 to Oakdale) is currently in design, with plans for approximately two miles of new greenway trail, roadway improvements, trailhead parking and a restroom facility. Construction is set to start this spring.

McDowell Creek Greenway – This project will connect the towns of Cornelius and Huntersville, offering nearby communities 2.5 miles of trails to Westmoreland Park, Westmoreland Athletic Complex, Robbins Park, nearby schools and retail areas. Broken up into four phases, construction is complete on the first segment, which extends the Torrence Creek Greenway to Gilead Road. Phase two extends approximately .6 miles from Gilead Road to Chilgrove to Gilead Road. Estimated completion is early 2024. A timeline has not been announced for the additional phases.

South Charlotte connector (Park Road to Polk Historic Site) — This route near Carolina Place Parkway is currently in a design phase. When complete, a temporary connection will include a continuous sidewalk for the whole distance. Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation is coordinating with North Carolina Department of Transportation and the Town of Pineville to complete the connection by mid-2024. Ultimately, there will be an additional trail connection between the two, but Lloyd said that land acquisition has is a current challenge.

Stewart Creek Greenway – This project includes a 1.5 miles of greenway trail along Stewart Creek Tributary, from State Street to Coronet Way, as well as stream enhancements and new stormwater control measures near the Duke Energy substation. Estimated completion is mid-2023.

Torrence Tributary #2 – This project will extend the existing Torrence Creek Greenway by about a mile from Rosewood Meadow Lane to the Huntersville Gateway Park and Ride at Compass Street, uniting several neighborhoods by utilizing a tunnel under I-77 completed by NCDOT. Once complete, it will serve as an important regional connection as part of the Carolina Thread Trail. Estimated completion is 2024.

>>>> these updates are important as they don't give many of them and the pop up ads in this article means it is easier for me to read this on UP here. 

Read more at: https://www.charlotteobserver.com/charlottefive/c5-wellness/article272840030.html#storylink=cpy

Edited April 13, 2023 by KJHburg

[KJHburg]

walk on Mallard Creek Greenway today and the creeks are very high.  Be aware and especially under bridges.  With more rain later today expect minor flooding.