Activating Columbia Road: Reframing a Missing Link

Greenways
The term ‘greenway’ can be used to refer to many
types of corridors, including linear parks, like the
Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway in downtown
Boston, off-road walking and biking routes, like
the East Coast Greenway, or simply corridors with
the ability to connect people and places. 6 The
Emerald Network recognizes four different types
of greenways: park path, off-road, neighborway
and greenway connectors. 7 What all these types
have in common are features that promote active
transportation and a sense of place, such as
connections to parks, lighting and seating, safe
crossings, and plantings and street trees.
Greenways have the potential to deliver benefits in
five areas:
• Mobility Greenways increase access to safe
walking and cycling routes, extending the
reach of multi-modal transportation networks.
• Quality of Life Access to green space and
increased physical activity benefit both physical
and mental health of greenway users.
Figure 9: The Economic Benefits of Greenways
• Economic Development Greenways
provide better access to both retail and job
opportunities; for every million dollars spent on
greenways, sidewalks, and bicycle facilities,17
jobs are created. 8
• Healthy Environment Increased green
infrastructure such as trees, bushes, plants, or
grasses have the potential to reduce flood risk
and air pollution.
• Equity and Opportunity Greenways can attract
investment to neighborhoods by connecting
people to transit and jobs that are otherwise
inaccessible.
6 Greenways, Inc., “Benefits Of Greenways.”
7 LivableStreets Alliance, “Emerald Network.”
8 Emerald Network, “Home.”
Activating Columbia Road: Reframing a Missing Link
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