Greenways: An Introduction

Today, many communities throughout the nation enjoy the use and beauty of linear parks and open spaces called greenways. Whether they border rivers, streams, or even abandoned railroad tracks, greenways provide the public with welcome relief from surrounding developed area. Greenways provide areas for outdoor recreation, settings for urban revitalization, and opportunities for natural resource protection. Tulsa, Oklahoma; Rapid City, South Dakota; Baltimore, Maryland; and Brandywine, Pennsylvania are some of the more than 200 communities which have already implemented greenway plans with great success. These plans have worked largely because they address multiple community objectives.