How does Greensboro Practice Sustainability?

Many cities participate in efforts to make life more green using the typical methods - recycling, planting trees, and conserving water. Greensboro, however, has decided to break the mold and try out a new way of practicing sustainability that simultaneously promotes local art, fitness, and community: The Downtown Greenway.

The Greenway is a work in progress, but eventually will be a 4-mile walking and biking trial that loops around the center of downtown Greensboro. The loop plugs greenery directly into the urban landscape, and is a result of the collaboration of the City of Greensboro and Action Greensboro. There is an emphasis placed on public art with all of the art displayed around the loop, and an emphasis on community caused by the many existing tails in Greensboro that will connect to the Greenway. The planning committees also claim that this will be an economic driver for the community. Greensboro should be proud of it's Greenway - it is the only one of its kind in the state and one of the few in the country!

The entire planning operation is made up of a combination of staff and volunteers who commit their time to community meetings and sponsorship recruitment. A large number of sponsors have agreed to put their support behind the Greenway, including non profit organizations, government agencies, schools, universities, neighborhood associations, and other downtown groups. If you would personally like to get involved, you can email Dabney Sanders at dsanders@actiongreensboro.org.

The Downtown Greenway is attempting to make Greensboro more sustainable with a variety of new installations and projects. Some of these include a potential bike-share program similar to those of growing popularity in larger cities, such as New York's Citi Bike. They have installed special trash receptacles in parks along the Greenway known as Big Bellies. These trash cans conserve resources because they are solar-powered self compacting receptacles that send a signal to the city when full, eliminating extra trips by the city to pick up half-empty cans. The city is also testing out Eco-Gardens, which are special storm water tree wells that will improve water quality by filtering storm water and run-off through specially designed soil. A fascinating Permaculture Garden acts as a sort of mini ecosystem that contains a public organic orchard that sports eight different kinds of fruit. Finally, the lighting installed along the Greenway is solar powered, further contributing to the green-friendly nature of the project.

Needless to say, as this project inches closer and closer to its 4 mile completion, Greensboro residents are itching to learn about the planning committees latest plans for sustainability and urban art.  To learn more about the project, visit downtowngreenway.org