By Noah Crenshaw | Daily Journal
A long-planned trail extension that is now underway will expand the number of trails in Greenwood and connect two city parks by the time it is completed this fall.
The multi-use trail will run along the north side of Pleasant Run Creek and will connect the city’s Northwest Park and Northwest Annex Park, city officials announced this week. Multi-use trails allow residents to cycle, walk and jog on the trail at the same time.
The trail will be about 1,600 feet long, and eight feet wide, city officials said. Both parks are located on Fry Road on the northwest side of the city.
Greenwood has dozens of miles of trails and walkways as part of its parks system, and the city is also in the process of creating a master trail plan.
The new trail has been in the works for nearly 20 years, said Rob Taggart, Greenwood Parks and Recreation director. The city is always looking to expand its connectivity, he said.
Trails are usually easy to make. But this trail took longer to develop because the city did not own the land and had to acquire easements over time, Taggart said.
“We try to avoid eminent domain,” Taggart said.
The trail extension will cost $187,000, and will be paid for with funds from the city’s Fry Road tax increment financing (TIF) district, he said. It is not part of the county’s plans to interconnect trails between cities and towns.
Construction began this month, and access to the parks will not be affected. The only area that will be closed is where the path is being constructed.
