Those with an interest in Mount Airy’s recreational facilities might see an upcoming greenway project as a final leg — but it could be far from the end of the “road.”
It’s not exactly a bridge-to-nowhere situation, but the completion of a connector for the city’s two greenways represents a new beginning, according to a funding consulting involved with the project.
“Where do we go from here?” was the question posed by Charles Anderson, executive director of The Resource Institute in Winston-Salem, in a recent discussion with Mount Airy officials in which he updated the status of the local greenway effort.
Anderson said with the 2.2-mile connector set to be constructed in 2015 — after a successful bid opening Tuesday in which the apparent low proposal of $1.59 million came in under the projected cost — Mount Airy can extend its greenway presence farther. When that link is complete, the total greenway network in Mount Airy will be more than six continuous miles.
Plans for the future could include taking the 10-foot-wide trail northward to the White Sulphur Springs area, where development plans have targeted former resort property, or southward to the Yadkin River. The latter is a distance of 20 miles.
Anderson said an advantage to having a longer greenway is that it would attract major biking events that rely on such courses for competition purposes, thereby boosting the area tourism industry. Smaller communities appeal to some event coordinators rather than large-city venues, he added.
With the plans being so long-range, Anderson presented no cost figures or timetable for that concept. The connector project and related stream-restoration to occur next year is being funded by various grants and a $430,000 commitment from the city government.
While Anderson geared his discussion toward the future, Commissioner Steve Yokeley reminded during his presentation that the existing greenways merit attention as well.
This includes a need to address problems with interlocking blocks installed years ago as a flood-control measure along Lovills Creek, which flows beside the Emily B. Taylor Greenway.
As a funding consultant contracted to obtain grants to cover various facets of greenway work, Anderson replied that there are plans to address this problem. There is a need to remove sand bars that are causing issues for Lovills Creek and revamp the interlocking blocks that “will give way” over time, he said.
Tourism Benefits
Money that is spent on greenway projects can be recouped by localities over time, Anderson mentioned in his update to Mount Airy officials, using a trout-fishing area along the Ararat River as an example.
That was made possible in conjunction with the construction of the Ararat River Greenway about five years ago. Streambanks that had eroded were restored as a result, which deepened the waterway and otherwise improved the fish habitat.
This has made Mount Airy a key destination for anglers from such destinations as Raleigh or Charlotte, who find this city much more accessible than traditional fishing hot spots in more-remote mountainous areas including Alleghany County, according to the discussion.
Anderson told city officials that $1.2 million to $1.4 million is being generated for the community annually as visitors fish here, including restaurant, retail and other purchases.
“So it does help,” city Parks and Recreation Director Catrina Alexander said of such a tourism resource, which can be another attraction locally other than the Mayberry phenomenon.
“It’s another way we extend our reach that doesn’t have anything to do with a TV show,” Commissioner Jon Cawley commented.
Tom Joyce may be reached at 336-415-4693 or on Twitter @Me_Reporter.