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 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 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.