Fact Sheet Village of Clemmons, Town of Lewisville, Town of Bermuda Run Project Background The Yadkin River Greenway Feasibility Study is a joint project with the Village of Clemmons, the Town of Bermuda Run, and the Town of Lewisville through the Winston-Salem Urban Area Metropolitan Planning Organization to determine the feasibility of constructing a multi-use greenway trail along the Yadkin River that links community parks, neighborhoods, and recreational facilities. Community Benefits of Greenways Greenways provide opportunities for physical activity to improve fitness and mental health. Greenways allow citizens to use alternate means of transportation and create safe off-street places for biking, walking and other recreational activities. Key Facts Study area is approximately 2,000 acres Greenway includes 7 miles of riverfront trail 3.5 miles on east side of Yadkin River 2.5 miles on west side of Yadkin River Greenway connects the Village of Clemmons, Town of Bermuda Run and Town of Lewisville with 1.5 miles of spur trails Greenway connects Tanglewood Park, BB&T Soccer Complex and proposed Riverfront Park To see the preliminary plans, go to www.dot.cityofws.org Educational opportunities about ecological, historic and cultural resources can be located along greenways. Greenways improve connectivity by linking residents and visitors to existing parks and recreational facilities as well other regional trail systems. Economic Benefits of Greenways Studies have shown that properties located in close proximity to greenways increase in value more than those located farther away from greenways. Property owners can receive a tax incentive when property is donated for conservation purposes. Development of greenways have been shown to bring economic development to the region. Environmental Benefits of Greenways Conserving open space for greenways will create a buffer from future development. Greenways preserve sensitive habitat along the river and floodplain. Greenways create wildlife corridors along the river.
Fact Sheet Village of Clemmons, Town of Lewisville, Town of Bermuda Run Common Greenway Questions: When will the greenway be completed? This is a greenway feasibility study. It is a long range plan determining the potential of constructing a greenway within the next 20-30 years. If approved by local jurisdictions and funding is obtained, construction of the initial phase or phases could begin in the next few years. What type of trail surface is used for a greenway? The proposed multi-use greenway along the river will be 10 feet wide and made up of crushed gravel so that it will accommodate pedestrian, bicycle, and equestrian traffic. Other greenway trails may be 6-8 feet wide and made up of asphalt or concrete. What hours would the greenway be open? The greenway would only be open during daylight hours. What will prevent people from trespassing on privately owned land? Planted buffers, berms or fencing may be installed along the greenway easement. Residents would be asked to call the police to report trespassing on private property or illegal activity taking place on the greenway. How will a greenway help with the impact of flooding? Greenways protect natural floodplains from development. Properly designing the greenway to accommodate flooding will reduce the overall maintnance costs and prevent damage to the river and adjacent creeks. Will the landowners be personally liable if a greenway easement is granted? Landowners will not be held liable for maintenance and/or personal injury of greenway users when an easement is granted, as referenced by North Carolina General Statute 38A - Landowner Liability. What is the size of the easement necessary to develop a greenway? The size of the required easement can vary for each parcel of land. Environmental conditions such as topography, wetlands and flood zones influence the amount of land needed. The easement width can vary from 100 feet to 200 feet. What is the tax credit for allowing a greenway easement? A landowner may receive federal and state tax credits of up to 30% of the value of the donated interest in the land. A landowner may also reduce or eliminate estate taxes for the donation of a greenway easement. How will hunting and shooting on properties adjacent to the greenway be addressed? Hunting and shooting on private land could continue. Some limits on hunting and shooting may be recommended for safety. How would emergency vehicles access the greenway? Access points would be designed along the greenway which will allow emergency personnel to respond to incidents along the greenway. How are greenways funded? Greenways can be funded in many ways. The following is a partial list of funding sources: State and federal recreation grant programs Federal transportation funds Local government bond issues and general tax revenues Environmental protection and agricultural preservation programs Foundation grants Partnerships with private enterprises, nonprofits and volunteers For additional information, please contact: Margaret Bessette, 747-7058; margb@cityofws.org
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Introduction The Village of Clemmons, the Town of Bermuda Run, and the Town of Lewisville is in the early planning stages for the development of a greenway and pedestrian network along the Yadkin River and the surrounding community. The Study Area being evaluated for the feasibility of this development is 5,000 acres; bounded to the north by the Town of Lewisville, to the east by the Village of Clemmons, to the west by Davie County and the Town of Bermuda Run, and extends south to the southern boundary of Tanglewood Park. I-40 and US 158 bisect the study area east to west. The goals of the project include providing connectivity within the region, providing access to the Yadkin River, protecting and enhancing environmental resources and preserving the scenic quality that makes this place so special. A greenway or greenway corridor is typically a narrow piece of land managed for recreation, conservation, pedestrian connectivity and alternative transportation. A trail is often located within these corridors for use by the community. Access to greenways benefits the people in a community in a number of ways, such as improved health and fitness, interaction with neighbors, education about wildlife and the environment, and they make it a more attractive place to live. Trail users will include pedestrians, bicyclists, and equestrians. As part of the larger network and outside of the greenway corridor, sidewalks and trails will accommodate pedestrians and bicyclists. Existing Conditions The most prominent natural feature of the Study Area is the Yadkin River. The Yadkin River bisects the Study Area from north to south, and several creeks and tributaries flow into the river as it meanders through the rolling topography. Some wetlands exist along the study area, within the floodplains that flank both sides of the river. Most of the adjacent land use is residential and agricultural, with some developed park and recreational areas located near I-40 and US 158. These recreational areas are important links for the connectivity in the Study Area. For example, Tanglewood Park is the largest park in Forsyth County and one of the most visited, offering numerous activities and facilities. Other important destinations in the Study Area include BB&T Soccer Park, Kinderton, residential and commercial areas in the Village of Clemmons and Beautiful views within the Study Area, SHLA Executive Summary-1
the Town of Bermuda Run, new developments such as Village Point and the Novant Health Development, and the future Riverfront Park. The National Survey of Recreation and the Environment (NSRE) for this region of North Carolina identified walking for pleasure as the most popular outdoor recreation acivity. The Winston-Salem and Forsyth County Parks and Open Space Plan 2015 found that walking and biking are rated among the top recreational activities most enjoyed by residents, and walking and biking trails were ranked as the most urgently needed recreational facilities in the community. Public Input A preliminary alignment of the proposed greenway trail along the Yadkin River was presented at a public meeting, and comments and recommendations from local citizens were gathered. Citizens were also able to respond to a survey available online. The survey results also highlighted additional connectivity opportunities for the greenway and trail network. The greatest number of respondents stated that they would use the trail most often for bicycling and walking for pleasure and/or fitness. Some responded that the trail would be a good opportunity for environmental education, and experiencing nature. Greenway Trail and Sidewalk Network Based on the assessment of the existing conditions in the Study Area and the input from the public, the proposed system of greenway trails and sidewalks includes a combination of trails and sidewalks which are adapted to the available space in the river corridor and along existing streets where they offer the most connectivity and are the most feasible for construction. The system of greenway trails and sidewalks include: Public Input, SHLA Yadkin River Trail Ellison Creek Trail Blanket Bottom Creek Trail Fair Oaks Neighborhood Trail Tanglewood Access Trail US-158 Bike/Ped/Sidewalk Executive Summary-2
NC Highway 801 sidewalk, Yadkinville Road Sidewalk, Old Towne Drive Lasater Road sidewalk Bahnson Lake Trail Fair Oaks Drive sidewalk Peace Haven Road sidewalk Idols Road Trail (on-street) Costs, Schedule and Phasing Costs for greenway trails and sidewalks include right of way acquisition, design fees, as well as typical construction costs. These costs vary, depending on the current economy, schedule delays, economy of scale, and construction phasing. Completion of one phase or section of a trail or sidewalk from beginning to end, depending on it s length and complexity, could take several years. The phasing plan focuses on constructing trail sections that coincide with areas where development is already occuring and where land is already available. Connecting existing park and open space such as Tanglewood Park, the BB&T Soccer Park and the future Riverfront Park is important for connectivity and to expand the recreational resources available. Future phases will explore connectivity to the areas to the north of the Study Area. Construction Cost by Phase Phase Cost Phase 1 $919,000 Phase 2 $1,185,000 Phase 3 $ 515,000 Phase 4 $1,493,000 Future River Trail Phase $9,203,000 Total Construction Cost: $13,315,000 Implementation To make the Yadkin River Greenway a reality, several steps must be taken to get the project organized, constructed, managed, and maintained. These steps include creating a greenway management organization, creating a vision, building public support, acquiring property, planning and permitting, design, maintenance, construction, and risk management. Funding A combination of local, state, and federal sources will be needed to provide funding for land acquisition, construction and maintenance of trails and sidewalks. Seeking partnerships with state agencies and local community groups and corporations will also prove beneficial in seeking creative ways to locate money for trails. BB&T Soccer Park and Win-Mock, SHLA Executive Summary-3
Feasibility and Action Steps Based on the findings outlined in this feasibilty study, the greenway is highly feasible. The recreational needs in the community and the region support additional trails for walking and biking, and public input from the survey conducted in this process shows that there is support for the project. Initial phases which focus on areas already developed, along public streets, or already used for recreational purposes could be constructed fairly quickly if funds are secured. Action steps for moving forward are listed below: Cyclist on local roads, SHLA Identify and create a Management Entity or organization Create a vision Establish goals and objectives Determine priorities and phases Incorporate the proposed greenway into local design and planning documents Modify existing policies, ordinances and regulations at the municipal and county level to accommodate greenway related goals, objectives and principles Adopt design guidelines Create a maintenance plan Establish partnerships Formalize a marketing plan Hire a design team Executive Summary-4