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TARGETING ECONOMIC AND HEALTH BENEFITS OF GREENWAYS
AND TRAILSStunningly beautiful Southern Appalachia has some outstanding greenways and
trails. This workshop exposes attendees to the Virginia Creeper Trail, a successful example of creating economic and health benefits. Hear how
wellness, environmental, and agriculture experts work with urban planners in addressing challenges in adding trail mileage and improving livability. Learn of stakeholder efforts to promote healthy lifestyles and go well beyond tourism
dollars to target schools and workplaces.
ANTHONY J. (TONY) DELUCIA, PH.D.EAST TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY
OBJECTIVES:
• VIRGINIA CREEPER TRAIL
• HOW LINKS TO OTHER HEALTH EFFORTS
• HOW LINKS TO OTHER ECONOMIC EFFORTS
CONTRIBUTOR:
• GARRETT JACKSON-IN ABSENTIA• FORMER PLANNER FOR DAMASCUS
• CURRENT TOWN PLANNER FOR ABINGDON
• VIRGINIA CREEPER ADVISORY BOARD
CONTRIBUTOR:
• TIM PETERS• REGIONAL DIRECTOR FOR HEALTH FITNESS
CORPORATION (EASTMAN CHEMICAL COMPANY ACCOUNT)
• FORMER CHAIR, KINGSPORT TOMORROW• BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE TENNESSEE CENTER FOR DIABETES
PREVENTION AND HEALTH IMPROVEMENT
CONTRIBUTOR:
• ROY SETTLE – IN ABSENTIA• DIRECTOR, APPALACHIAN RESOURCE CONSERVATION
AND DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL
• SULLIVAN COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION
• LANDS OF BOONE AND CROCKETT LAND TRUST, LOCALGOODS.ORG, QUILTTRAIL.ORG
CONTRIBUTOR:
• ANTHONY (TONY) DELUCIA• PROFESSOR (PULMONOLOGIST), EAST TENNESSEE
STATE UNIVERSITY
• LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMISSION (SMART GROWTH)
• LEAGUE OF AMERICAN BICYCLISTS
CARTOON “SAYS IT ALL”
FORTUNATE TO HAVE BEEN A RESEARCHER…
• TOOK ME TO THE AMERICAN LUNG ASSOCIATION– FROM RECEIVING THEIR GRANT FUNDING TO BECOMING A NATIONAL
SPOKESMAN
• TOOK ME TO KINGSPORT TOMORROW– FROM USING MY GRANT FUNDING TO BECOMING A REGIONAL
SPOKESMAN
FOR YOURS TRULY, A BIT OF A “LIFE CYCLE” THING
WE WOULDN’T BE HERE W/O ORGANIZATIONS LIKE THIS
MISSION: TO IMPROVE OUR COMMUNITY THROUGH CITIZEN PARTICIPATION IN DETERMINING OUR FUTURE, SUCH AS CITY’S BAYS MOUNTAIN PARK
PEOPLE, PLACES, PLAY,JOBS, GOVERNMENT
ABINGDON, VAKEEPING HEALTHY THROUGH HISTORY
THE VIRGINIA CREEPER TRAIL
35 MILES…ABINGDON TO NORTH CAROLINA
VIRGINIA CREEPER TRAIL
• ONE OF THE MOST SPECTACULAR “RAILS-TO-TRAILS” IN THE ENTIRE COUNTRY
• OVER 150K VISITORS/YEAR
• $MULTI-MILLION DIRECT ECONOMIC BENEFIT
CREATIVE CLASS
CONSTRUCTING EDUCATIONAL KIOSKS ALONG THE CREEPER TRAIL
ABINGDON 2012 GREENWAY PLAN
PORTERFIELD GATEWAY –
WOLF CREEK NATURE WALK
TRAFFIC/PEDESTRIAN IMPROVEMENTS
TAX $ = HEALTH
• Cigarette Tax ($.10/pack) goes toward health initiatives in the community
• Abingdon spends more per capita on parks & recreation than ANY other Virginia locality!
• Meals and Lodging tax brings in double the amount, per year, that real estate taxes do…haven’t raised real estate taxes in 40+ years and still have a great quality of life!
CREEPER TRAIL A “BEST PRACTICE” IN THIS PUBLICATION BY HANNAH TWADDELL & DAN EMERINE
Blue Blaze Bike & Shuttle – Damascus, Virginia
REVENUE FROM RELATED ACTIVITIESREVENUE FROM RELATED ACTIVITIES
The Buchanan Inn Bed & Breakfast at Green Cove Station estimates that 75% of its business comes from visitors using the Virginia Creeper
Trail pictured here in the foreground.
TOURISM BENEFITSTOURISM BENEFITS
ESRI COMMUNITY TAPESTRY15. Silver and Gold
Silver and Gold residents are the second oldest of the Tapestry segments and the wealthiest seniors, with a median age of 58.5 years; most are retired from professional occupations. Their affluence has allowed them to move to sunnier climates. More than 60 percent of the households are in the South (mainly in Florida); 25 percent reside in the West, primarily in California and Arizona. Neighborhoods are exclusive, with a median home value of $326,600 and a high proportion of seasonal housing. Residents enjoy traveling, woodworking, playing cards, birdwatching, target shooting, salt water fishing, and power boating. Golf is more a way of life than a mere leisure pursuit; they play golf, attend tournaments, watch golf on TV, and listen to golf programs on the radio. They are avid readers, but allow time to watch their favorite TV shows and a multitude of news programs.
SAGAFOLKS WHO LIVE IN ABINGDON “CO-HOUSING”
THE TRAIL MODEL WORKS WITH HEALTHY SENIORS: KATY TRAIL
EFFECT ON PROPERTY VALUES
Multiple studies show that well managed trails and parks have a positive effect on home sales.
Properties closer to trails are generally easier to sell and have a higher value than those further away from the amenity.
MARYVILLE - RUBY TUESDAY’S
“the specific site (for the new headquarters) was chosen in downtown Maryville primarily due to its location on the beautiful Greenbelt and trail system,” said Sandy Beal, Chairman & CEO, Ruby Tuesday, Inc.
“IMPORTANT 1ST ATTEMPT TO ORGANIZE AN INDUSTRIAL COMMUNITY AND PROVIDE ADEQUATE HOUSING FOR WORKERS IN A SYLVAN SETTING”
KINGSPORT, TENNESSEE
JOHN NOLEN – THE DESIGNER OF GREAT PLACES
BRIEF DESCRIPTION
• KINGSPORT• CURRENT POPULATION ~50k
• HOME OF EASTMAN CHEMICAL COMPANY
• PART OF TRI-CITIES TN/VA 1999 ALL-AMERICAN DESIGNATION
• PROGRESSIVE GOVERNMENT
• DESIGNED BY ARCHITECT JOHN NOLEN (COMMISSIONED 1915) …ALSO SAN DIEGO, MARIEMONT, OH, CHARLOTTE
• PART OF THE “GARDEN CITY” MOVEMENT
EXPANDING THE EVER-POPULAR KINGSPORT GREENBELT
HTTP://WWW.KINGSPORTGREENBELT.COM/
The Kingsport Greenbelt is a linear park that connects residential neighborhoods, traditional parks, downtown, commercial districts, schools and activity centers. A special feature of this unique park is a pathway for pedestrian and bicycle use. The pathway meanders through marshlands, glides across open meadows, and passes by sites of historical and aesthetic value. Development and operation of the Greenbelt are guided by a citizen advisory committee and the Kingsport Parks and Recreation Department
A DESCRIPTION OF THE KINGSPORT GREENBELT FROM ITS WEBSITE
USED IN “MOVE TO…” LITERATURE
ROLE OF STRONG COMMUNITY STEWARD
ENGAGE OUR LOCAL LEADERS:TWO LOCAL MAYORS WHO “GET IT”
AWARD WINNING LOCAL PROGRAMS: JOHNSON CITY “UP AND AT ‘EM”
TURKEY TROT AWARDS ON THANKSGIVING DAY
IF PEOPLE HERE THINK THIS IS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Childhood Obesity Prevention Summit / October 18-19, 2007
45
↑ Physical activity
↓ Air pollution
And by the way…
↓ Infrastructure costs ↑ Social capital
↓ CO2emissions
↓ Injuries
↓ Osteoporosis
↓ petroleum consumption
COURTESY, HOWIE FRUMKIN, MD
LOCAL FOOD AND LAND USE ECONOMICS
LOCAL SUSTAINABILITY EFFORTS
“I CAN ALWAYS GROW HOUSES”
A STATISTIC
ROY’S 2003 URBAN FORESTRY MEETING IN KINGSPORT
A BETTER WAY THROUGH LAND USE EDUCATION
WE APPLIED FOR ATTENDANCE AT THIS!!!
ED McMAHON TALKING ABOUT ENVIRONMENT, ECONOMIC, AND COMMUNITY GOALS…AS THE CONTAINER VESSELS AND DOLPHINS CRUISE BY
WORK OF THE WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA TEAM
“WORK” OF OUR TEAM!!!
WORKSHOPS WITH A BUILT ENVIRONMENT FOCUS – JAMIE BUSSELL, ROBERT WOOD JOHNSON FOUNDATION
MARK FENTON’S 1ST VISIT
SCHOOLS AN EARLY SUCCESS
ONE-HALF THE TEAM FOR WORKFORCE HEALTH
A STRONG FUTURE WITH OUR PARTNERS
GREENWAYSALLIANCE
“CONNECTING PEOPLE, NATURE, AND COMMUNITIES
WITH GREENWAYS AND NATURE”
CURRENT SAGA AREA
Scott
Hancock Sullivan
Hawkins Johnson
Washington
CarterWashington
Greene
Lee
Unicoi
Virginia
Tennessee
REGIONAL VISION 2025• It is my vision that our Region will
encourage PLAY through TRAILS and PARKS that link us With Natural, Cultural, and Historical Treasures**This was the most popular response of all ideas generated from the 1000+ citizens participating in the 38 regional public meetings.
GOVERNOR BREDESENSAGA PLAN RELEASE EVENT
APRIL 20, 2007 KINGSPORT - GREENBELT
Historic Tweetsie Trail
ELIZABETHTON TO JOHNSON CITY
HISTORY
The ET&WNC was chartered in 1866. The 5-foot gauge railroad would run from the Cranberry Iron Works, west through the Doe River Gorge to Elizabethton and then to “Johnson’s Depot” (Johnson City), and a connection with the East Tennessee, Virginia & Georgia Railroad (later Southern Rail).
LOCATION
Where is the Historic Tweetsie line located?
PIKE’S PLACE MARKET WAS TO BE CONDEMNED
PLACEMAKING: PUBLIC MARKETS BECOME VIBRANT PUBLIC SPACES WHILE ALSO ACHIEVING BROADER SOCIAL IMPACTS – FROM COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, TO HEALTH AND NUTRITION, TO PRESERVING FAMILY FARMS -- PROJECT FOR PUBLIC SPACES WEBSITE: WWW.PPS.ORG
SAGA MEMBERS RECEIVING THE “OZZIE AWARD” FROM REGIONAL OZONE ACTION
PARTNERSHIP
ITS VOLUNTEERS AND STAFF LIKE THIS WHO MAKE IT ALL WORTHWHILE
THANKS
Pictured: l-r
•Kitty Frazier, Director, Kingsport Parks and Rec
•Roy Settle, Appalachian Resource and Development Council
•Liesa Jenkins, formerly Executive Director of Kingsport Tomorrow
•Ambre Torbett, Director of Planning Sullivan County, TN
POSTSCRIPTTHIS WAS WAITING FOR ME IN MY LOCAL NEWSPAPER WHEN I RETURNED HOME
WHEN YOU MAKE THOSE FALL COLOR PLANS, DON’T FORGET CREEPER TRAIL
Johnny Molloy
Looking for a new way to enjoy fall’s beauty? Don’t forget the Creeper Trail. It is so easy to enjoy. Drive up to Damascus, bring or rent a bike, then get a shuttle to the top at Whitetop Station. Coast your way 17 miles back to town, enjoying fall foliage as you drop 1,500 feet, passing numerous streamside and forest vistas. Then top your adventure off with a little dinner in town, or bring a picnic.
The Virginia Creeper Trail was nearly a century in the making. Of course, the originators of the railroad through this slice of southwest Virginia had no vision whatsoever of plastic clad pedalers, backpack-toting hikers and equestrians plying their railbed for pleasure and exercise. That would come later. First, entrepreneurs vying for iron and timber resources raised capital, then came the sweat from many men building trestles and blasting through hillsides.
Next came a period of economic prosperity borne of untold millions of timber feet cut from the Virginia Highlands, followed by a period of slow decline in business for the Virginia-Carolina Railroad, or V-C, until it was nothing but fodder for railroad nostalgia buffs, until the train whistles stopped in 1977. After that, the reality of a rail trail was still uncertain and a lot of effort by local groups led to the complete rail trail, which now extends from Whitetop Station to Abingdon, a distance of more than 34 miles.
Along the way, the railroad was nicknamed the Virginia Creeper, maybe for the vine of the same name that thrives locally, or maybe because of the slow nature of the railroad as it climbed through the mountains. Today, the Virginia Creeper is the most popular trail in the Old Dominion. The popularity is well deserved. From Whitetop Station at 3,525 feet, the Creeper courses down through the mountains, passing vistas near and far, deep woods, small farms and by clear, fast streams. It passes Green Cove, where an original train station still stands. And it crosses numerous trestles that deliver treetop views. The trailside terrain finally opens up at Damascus.
The second section of the Creeper, from Damascus to Abingdon, heads through farmlands, meadow and woods. Fall foliage fans who want to get some exercise as they enjoy autumn should head toward Abingdon, where the trail is level enough to require physical exertion, i.e. pedaling.
This 16-mile lower section is less popular than the upper section, but the lower section was built first, and was in operation by early 1900. This section has a more pastoral feel than the upper section. From Damascus, the Creeper passes by many homes and farms, where there are gates to open and close. Please do so and respect the landowners who are gracious enough to cooperate and make a path for all to enjoy. And there is plenty of scenery to enjoy, as the trail descends alongside Laurel Creek and the South Fork of the Holston River.
A highlight of the trip is the long and high trestle that spans the confluence of the South Fork and Middle Fork Holston River. Trail’s end in Abingdon offers parking and restrooms. No matter which section of the Creeper you bike, it will be a great way to experience fall.
