Issue link: http://townofcary.uberflip.com/i/1049051
a vision for creating greenways along streams passing through wooded conservation areas where users can get away from the busier aspects of suburban and urban life. In 1977, the eight-member Commission, chaired by Ms. Margaret Moore and including Ms. Setliff, set out a p•an that would utilize floodp•ains along streams, connect to public spaces town wide, and stress linkages of the greenways. They evaluated areas for a prototype trail and set out goals for a master p•an of greenways. The Town's first comprehensive greenways and parks master p•an was adopted in 1979, and the Tarbert-Gatehouse Greenway was completed that same year, making it Cary's first greenway. By 1982, the Town was listed in U.S. News & World Report as a "livable boom town" stating Cary residents can walk to numerous destinations over "twisting trails called greenways." The greenway system included 10 miles of public trails as of the 1998 update of the Parks & Recreation Master P•an, which at that time proposed a system total of 70 miles. With the turn of the millennium, the Town's greenway system began to grow by leaps and bounds with the advent of a new program whereby public greenways were constructed by and with new development in Cary. If the Town's master p•an proposes a greenway over a developing parcel, the developer is asked to construct that segment of trail in exchange for credits against fees owed. To date, this program is responsible for 39 of the 80+ miles of Cary greenways, and the success of this unique new model has communities in North Carolina emu•ating it. The 2000s have also seen the addition of trailheads, signage, a mobile app, and the development of a user count program by the Greenway Committee that estimates over one million annual users. In 2016 and 2017 respectively, Cary was named a Bronze Bike-Friendly Community and Silver Walk-Friendly community. TODAY The key to building such a vast and vibrant network of greenways is being proactive in p•anning, partnerships, and funding. Throughout the 40-year history of the system, Cary has partnered not only with the development community but with bordering municipalities and counties, state agencies, and various nonprofits and •andtrusts. By working together to p•an, design, and construct connections across city and county lines, regional connectivity will continue to grow and benefit Cary citizens and neighbors across the Triangle. Cary has been very successful in leveraging Town dol•ars to obtain grants and federal funds for greenway construction, and has partnered with its neighbors to jointly seek outside funding for regional connections. Cary has been awarded more than $10 million in state and federal funding for greenways just in the •ast decade. a vision for creating greenways along streams passing AMERICAN TOBACCO TRAIL RIBBON CUTTING LINDA SETLIFF Though Cary is the 7th argest city in North Carolina, it boasts the 2nd highest number of greenway miles. TARBERT - GATEHOUSE GREENWAY 1 9 7 6 Cary Greenway Commission established 1 9 9 8 10 miles of greenways are complete 2 0 0 3 Proposed greenways network expanded to 174 miles; Bond Park designated Cary Greenways "Hub" N o v. 1 9 7 9 Tarbert-Gatehouse, Cary's 1st greenway, completed 1 9 7 9 Cary's 1st Greenways and Parks Master P‚an adopted