The East Coast Greenway?
 

Given the diversity here, this probably isn't news to a lot of you, but it was to me. I got a letter in the mail yesterday asking me to donate to the East Coast Greenway. There is work underway to complete a multiuse paved trail that runs from Canada to Key West Florida, basically hugging the coast line all the way. At present, it is 20% complete, but there is a bike tour taking place 9/11/04 to bring attention to the effort. You can sign up, but its only open to 12 riders who commit to raising $10,000. You can also see the 20% that is complete. I haven't had lots of time to explore this site, but glancing at the map, it looks like it will tie together many major cities on the east coast US.

http://greenway.org

I very nearly signed on with them, as it happens that I'm planning to leave New York for Florida at almost exactly the same time as they pass through the city on THEIR way to Florida... but ultimately decided I'd rather tour alone. Their route plan has been of some use to me, though ;)

Looks like a very cool project!

-chris

There is an excellent story on todays New York Times about the Greenway....4 June 04

Thanks for the tip! For anyone interested, the article is here:
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/06/04/tr...es/04GREE.html
and will be online for free (the Times requires free registration, or use username tmn_news password tmn_news) for two weeks...

-chris

The greenway is an interesting project, they are sort of differentiating this from the Atlantic Coast Adv-cycling maps by trying to go through cities than around them. For example, it goes through NYC not west towards PA and uses a train from NYC to Elizabeth NJ and then eventually to the D&R Canal (a Rail Trail).

I've considered donating, but would be interested on how fast they can finish the other 80%. No way I'm raising $10k either unless I go into drug dealing or other illegal activities which I try to avoid. :)

Jay

It is an interesting concept, but they've been around as long as I can remember, and it doesn't appear to me that they have accomplished much of anything. I'd be happy if someone could prove me wrong with some hard evidence of their progress.

Paul

The East Coast Greenway (ECG) project links existing, under construction, planned and future greenways into a network of off-road trails and greenways connecting cities up and down the East Coast. Call it an "Urban Appalachian Trail" if you will.

On that note, most folks don't realize that in the 1920's and early 1930's, the Appalachian Trail, was 80% on road. Admittedly, most of that was dirt roads!

It has taken a lot of years and a lot of work to build and make the ATT the off-road hiking trail we know today.

I got involved with the East Coast Greeway and the East Coast Greenway Alliance because it would serve to encourage the construction of more bicycle capable, off-road greenways and trails, which is a good thing for people and communities.

Advocating for, planning, and building trails and greenways takes time, not to mention money. I like to say that "Government of all sizes move as slow as cream risin' on buttermilk, unless they are convinced it is their idea." It is our job as cyclists and advocates to convince them it is their idea!

The best thing folks on this site can do is encourage their local communities to build trails and greenways, and to plan to link them to their neighboring jurisdictions. I've found that even the possibility of being part of the East Coast Greenway network has been a huge incentive for local governments to at least begin planning for trails and greenways. They see the long-term tourism aspects of the ECG, and then see the health and fitness, transportation, quality of life and other advantages.

The ECG has made a lot of progress in the last ten years. For example, it didn't even exist south of Washington, DC four years ago. Now, there are a number of miles of trail in VA, NC, SC, and Florida, including the Florida Overseas Heritage Trail connecting the Keys, and the American Tobacco Trail in NC (shameless plug!). Sorry, GA organizers are pushing their own Georgia Coastal Greenway, which will eventually be part of the ECG, without wanting ECG support because of perceived local concerns.

We have a staff of only three and a half in a small office in Wakefield, RI. They are working overtime to support local ECG initiatives and to get ECG signage up on existing designated trails and greenways. We need a lot of help locally because that is how the ECG will be built.

Sure, the going is slow for the reasons above. Progress IS being made. But cyclists and others are now only beginning to really ask for these off-road, linked trails and greenways facilities. If you want something you have to ask! Please ask your local community planning and management staff, and politicians, that you want trails and greenways in your community. Contact your state ECG Committee Chair listed at the www.greenway.org site for more info on how you can help. Feel free to contact me if you want more info.

Also, the ECGA is looking for more riders for some or all of the First ECG Tour mentioned in earlier posts. Check out www.greenway.org for more info.

Happy Trails,

Bill Bussey
NC-ECGA State Committee
eastcoastgreenway@earthlink.net

AMEN to that!!, They are getting richer though. :mad:

I'm not sure what you mean by this. :-) You can rest assured that all funds are going back into advocating for the construction of the East Coast Greenway. We have a small paid staff, who work in an overcrowded, but functional, office over a garage in a small town in Rhode Island. No nice storefront here! If folks want brochures or information, they are mailed or emailed it promptly. No Board members are paid, nor are they paid to attend meetings. We operate strictly shoestring here.

The ECG is a neat grass roots organization that can use your help. We are looking for folks who want to accomplish something at all levels from individual level, to working with clubs, to advocating for the ECG and the local trails and greenways that comprise it in state houses and the federal level.

If you want to help work on what is admittedly a long term - but extremely worthwhile project, the ECG is for you! We need all sorts of folks with all sorts of talents, vocations and interest. However, the only way you'll get rich is that rich feeling you get when that trail or greenway opens that you've spent a lot of time on, or when those East Coast Greenway signs go up on your local greenway.

Now wouldn't it be great if the ECG could go through Charlotte!

Happy Trails,

Bill Bussey

Thanks for the info Bill :)

Bill, as someone who has helped to raise monies for Charity, I understand a little of what you have to overcome. I admire everything the ECG is doing for cycling. To work with the many local governments over such a large area has to be very challenging! I also know that most of the time, its a struggle to get something this large moving, but once it really gets moving, you get the snow ball effect!

The Rhode Island section of the ECG is one of the reasons I've fallen in love with cycling this summer. I ride the West Warwick -> Cranston section at least 3 times a week. It's beautiful, well maintained, and you can tell that the people working on it really care. Thanks for what you're doing Bill.

By the way... I might have seen you putting up a new sign that says "Stop, Look, and Listen" at an intersection in West Warwick today. *shrug* There was a group of volunteers. You could've been one of 'em! :)