Success Story: Granville County Develops Greenway Master Plan
The LiveWell Granville Health Promotion Group, led by Jackie Sergent, Health Promotion Coordinator for the Granville-Vance Health District, has developed a Greenway Master Plan. The Granville County plan outlines a proposed 22 routes and approximately 210 miles of trails.
The greenway master plan (GMP) establishes non-motorized transportation and recreation as a local priority, while also providing guidance to local officials and planners for balancing economic development and maintaining the county’s rural beauty.
"A safe walkable community is the means by which we as a society can transition back into a society that gets exercise and stays fit without having to schedule gym time for it. Trails, bikeways, and pedways are critical [to this] transition back to healthier lifestyles."
Scottie Wilkins,
Granville County Planner
The Road to Success
The LiveWell Granville workgroup obtained grant funding from the Eat Smart, Move More … North Carolina initiative to begin the process of plan development.
The workgroup began their efforts by using information gathered through public information sessions and forums, and listening to what the community members desired.
The workgroup also contracted with a retired engineer to inventory and map existing utility (i.e., power, gas, water and sewer) and rail easements, assessing them for feasibility of use in the greenway system.
The data were used to make recommendations on long-range planning, oversight, connectivity, rights-of-way, accessibility and corridor acquisition, as well as residential, industrial, utility and recreational development, railroad corridors, off-road vehicle trails, environmental protection and funding resources.
This in-depth planning process prepared Granville County to apply for $1.2 million in Congestion Mitigation Air Quality (CMAQ) Funds from their Rural Planning Organization (RPO) to construct two greenways.
The proposed greenway system will connect with the future East Coast Greenway system and with a North - South Trail connecting Durham to Virginia.
This plan will assist efforts to increase physical activity opportunities, support economic development including tourism, and guide land use and transportation planning in anticipation of future development.
Stepping Stones...
- Try to hire someone who has experience with greenway planning to coordinate your project if you don’t have experience yourself.
- Involve a well-regarded ally from local government and/or someone from the planning office at the outset. Their knowledge is tremendously valuable.
- Communicate with neighboring counties as soon as possible to learn about opportunities to coordinate your plan with theirs.
- Read other plans. While it can be overwhelming because you will learn about many issues you might not have considered, it will arm you with ideas about what to strive for in your plan.
- Be sure volunteers who will be walking easements know how to use your assessment tool. A group training would be helpful. Easement walking is very time consuming, but doing it puts a physical face on a theoretical document.
- Be prepared for dissent. The more people on your team and the more opportunities for feedback you provide, the more likely you will garner support. Allow dissenters to have their say; the more you know about any opposition, the more likely you can address the concerns.
Contact Information
Jackie Sergent, Health Promotion Coordinator
Granville-Vance District Health Department
Address: PO Box 367; 101 Hunt Drive
City, State, Zip: Oxford, NC 27565
Phone: 919-693-2141
Fax: 919-693-8517
E-mail: Jackie.sergent@ncmail.net
