Greenways = Greenbacks

Greenways and greenbacks have more in common than you might think. In the land of the almighty dollar, little explanation is needed for the first term. To the uninitiated, however, the second may be less obvious.

Greenways, sometimes called greenbelts, are corridors of undeveloped land set aside for recreation or environmental preservation. In Metro Detroit they tend to be trails that run alongside rivers or old railroad beds, frequently used by pedestrians and bicyclists. 

Though it may seem counter-intuitive to view undeveloped land as sound economic policy, Tom Woiwode, director of the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan's GreenWays Initiative, argues that building greenways is a sure fire way to fatten the wallets of local communities while slimming residents' waistlines.

"It shows a real commitment to community," Woiwode says. "As communities think about their future they should respond to all of their needs. I think it goes a long way toward creating the vibrant lifestyle we're trying to create here in southeastern Michigan."

There are four ways something as simple as a dusty trail can help drive a local economy, Woiwode explains. First, the funds used to create greenways are most often new monies that wouldn't otherwise come into an area. Second, green space serve as a valuable recreational tool  for sports clubs and art-in-the-park events. Thirdly, greenways foster greater interaction between residents and leaders, creating a greater sense of community. Finally, and most persuasively, close proximity to a greenway almost always mean higher property values for the adjacent neighborhoods.

"They serve as a magnet," Woiwode says. "People want to live around them to enjoy their amenities. It has a definite economic ripple effect."

Greenways make home values greener

The Metropolitan Indianapolis Board of Realtors commissioned a study of how greenways impact property values in Metro Indianapolis in 1999. The study shows that proximity to one of the area's many greenways raised property values by as much as 25 percent in some cases.

Indianapolis residents have been voting to build greenways since the 1960s. Today the main greenway loop connects mile after mile of trail on the Central Canal Towpath, the Monon Trail and the White River Wapahani Trail. Thousands of trail enthusiasts walk, jog or ride over restored 19th Century bridges, along waterways and to institutions in the city's downtown like the Indianapolis Museum of Art.

The study shows the average sale price of all property sales in Metro Indianapolis at $111,000. Homes sold in greenway corridors --23 percent of the total-- went for an average of $122,000. Those sold within a half mile of the Monon Trail averaged $124,000. Homes near conservation corridors, which don't have trails but act as nature preserves, sold on average for $140,000.

"The closer you get to greenways, the higher the increase is," Woiwode says.

It's an idea that is starting to catch on in Metro Detroit, too. The developers of the Millrace Lofts in downtown Rochester are quick to point out that the new 16-unit development, priced at $299,000, overlooks the Clinton River and Clinton River Trail.

"Nestled directly alongside the Clinton River and Clinton River Trail," claims the web site, "residents enjoy at-your-doorstep activities like hiking, jogging, biking, cross-country skiing and fly-fishing. In the fall, Millrace neighbors enjoy a little-known secret: Yates Cider Mill is a short one mile walk along the trail!"

Hough says, "It's fantastic. People can walk everywhere. They have the downtown setting and the nature of the trail."

Greenways help keep businesses in the black

There are plans for greenways throughout Metro Detroit, ranging from the inner-city streets of Detroit to the fields in exurbs such as Hamburg Township.

A number of Wayne County communities are working together to protect the greenway corridor along the Rouge River. There are already acres upon acres of parks along the river in Detroit and Dearborn, but industrialization has degrading it in recent decades. The Rouge River Gateway Partnership is dedicated to improving the corridor by cleaning it up and coordinating projects to improve it.

Ann Arbor has been especially aggressive in creating greenways. The college town has been creating miles of extra bike lanes and trails for years. Its citizens also approved a 0.5-mill millage over 30 years to establish the Greenbelt Program in 2003. The program provides funding to preserve and protect open space, natural habitats, and farms in the Ann Arbor area. It now controls the development rights to more than 700 acres.

When the GreenWays Initiative began six years ago, there were less than 100 miles of greenways in Southeast Michigan. Today that number has more than doubled and another 40 miles is set to be finished this summer.

The Macomb Orchard Trail is building a 23.5 trail in the abandoned Canadian National Rail Road corridor across northern Macomb County's townships. The last 19 miles is set to be finished this late this fall.

Proponents say it encourages people to exercise and gives them alternatives to get around, such as allowing kids to bike to schools or parks. It's an idea that gains more traction with the public as both the price of gas and child obesity epidemic grow. They also add that people who use them tend to do so leisurely, with stops to frequent local businesses. 

"They'll take a 10-minute ride down a trail and take a pit stop for an ice cream and do some window shopping," says Dennis Tipsword, chair of the Friends of the Macomb Orchard Trail. "It's definitely a boost to the local community."

Dave Langton often sees those types of customers passing through his downriver hardware store. The Flat Rock Do-It Center is right next to the Flat Rock Greenways. Users of the path will stop in for some light shopping at his store and others around it.

"They give people a great opportunity to get a little bit of exercise and keep the air cleaner by allowing them to not take the SUV out as much," Langton says. "It's great for the environment."

Greenways can also help Metro Detroit's communities work together. Often referred to as linear parks, they not only connect area institutions but communities as well. This contributes to a greater spirit of regionality.

"It [The greenway] clearly doesn't have jurisdictional boundaries," Woiwode says. "It just moves from community to community. It actually creates a conversation in these communities."

The group Anita Twardesky co-chairs, the Downriver Link Greenways Initiative, is a great example of this. Her group is getting 21 downriver communities to work together to create and enhance local greenways. The organization is working not only to create more trails and nature preserves on land but also along the Detroit River so residents can canoe and kayak along it. The idea is to improve the quality of life both by land and by sea.

"People want to live near greenways," Twardesky affirms. "They help increase property values and they are great assets to have around."