Clyde Fowler introduced Tom Meeks, Manager of Advanced Planning for the Planning Commission, and Joe Ryan, Planner for Planning Commission.

This meeting proved to be very informative and generated much discussion as to the possible plans for greenways.

One goal of the meeting was to show the county planners that there are groups of citizens that care enough about this project to meet with the Steering Committee.

The focus of the meeting was to discuss the work that the Steering Committee has been performing, and to further inform citizens about greenways. A particular focus was a greenway route from the City of Greenville to Paris Mountain State park.

The following suggestions and questions came from the participants:

• Why is the old P&N rail bed not being considered for a greenway route?
  Joe and Tom did not know the answer.
• Criteria for selecting greenway routes should not just include where the population exists today in the county, but where the population is moving.
• What are the potential sources of funding for greenway development and maintenance?
  Tom asked that we not discuss potential forms of funding, so that there would be no confusion coming out of the meeting that we were proposing funding methods prior to meeting with County Council.
• Greenways should extend all the way to Caesar’s Head State Park.

Tom Meeks mentioned that he is interested in helping to form a Greenway Friends Group to act in the manner as the Paris Mountain Friends group. He questioned the details of the Friends organization with meeting attendees, and received a better understanding of the organization. He is impressed with the work he has seen our organization perform, and the positive results it has on the park. He envisions a similar organization is needed to make the Greenway project successful.

Angela Davis from the Greenville News spoke with Clyde, Joe, and Tom about the project. She also attended the meeting.

The result of the meeting is that all participants were excited about the potential about this type of project and most were in favor of the City to Paris Mountain State Park Route.

As mentioned above, there was also interest in the Reedy River Rails to Trails Project and creating routes of Greenways throughout Greenville County. As discussed in the meeting a pilot Greenway needs to be approved, funded and created. The City to Paris Mountain State Park Route looks to be an ideal candidate with much support from citizens.

Submitted by:
W. Clyde Fowler
Friends Special Projects