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Greenways on the way to Selma?
Published Thursday, September 24, 2009
SELMA — Ward 3 city council member Dr. Monica Newton likes to ride her bicycle with her family. It’s a nice way to enjoy the historic district, she says.
“The historic district is prettiest on bikes,” Newton says.
But getting around Selma on a two-wheeler can become difficult. The city’s not terribly walking friendly either.
Newton is leading the charge to create a greenway in Selma to connect the proposed Riverfront Park along Water Avenue with the Riverside Park, site of the re-enactment every year of the Battle of Selma.
A greenway is a linear open space established along a natural corridor, such as a river, stream, ridgeline, rail-trail, canal or other route for conservation, recreation or alternative transportation purposes.
Greenways can connect parks, nature preserves, cultural facilities and historic sites within business and residential areas.
A greenway in Selma would promote physical activity, people getting out in the open and even tourism, Newton said.
About 15 people gathered in City Hall to talk about beginning the long process of seeing a greenway constructed in Selma.
Linking the proposed Riverfront Park and Riverview Park seemed logical because they run along the Alabama River, according to most.
Riverview Park, the site of the Battle of Selma, needs some improvements, Newton said.
“Nothing should be done with the park that would distract from its purpose,” she added.
Chuck Kelly and Patrick Wheeler of Gresham Smith and Partners explained the concept of greenways and how they enhance a community.
Some questions raised about keeping the authenticity of the Civil War battleground were laid to rest when Kelly talked about adjusting the greenways to accommodate bicyclists, walkers, joggers and not interfere with the pristine historical area.
“If a greenway is something the community wants, then we can set the groundrules and limitations and move forward,” Kelly said.
It’s unclear what the cost for constructing greenways might total because much of the price depends on the type of trail constructed. For instance, something appropriate for the Riverview Park, sunflowers and hay, so as not to distract from the re-enactment, would cost less than a greenway with boardwalks and stream crossings, which usually run about $750,000 a mile.
There are various funding sources for the project, including grants from transportation enhancement, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Resources Conservation Service and others.
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Comments
Posted by SelmaLordSelma (anonymous) on September 24, 2009 at 7:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)
And how much will it cost to make the suggested Greenway path safe for people to use?
Posted by kdnichols (anonymous) on September 24, 2009 at 8:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)
This would be nice but she should be more concentrated
on crime, school situations, and saving and bringing new
jobs to Selma. So much to do in other areas Dr. Newton.
Posted by uniontown (anonymous) on September 24, 2009 at 8:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Council members should be focusing more on getting the Marina with gas pumps back in operation before we go looking at putting in greenways for walkers and bicycles. Afterall, this was a business that is now out of operation. A business that was bringing in tax dollars to the City of Selma. Selma does not need another business out of operation. Selma would get a lot more tourism from people by boats that live out of town if there was a marina to get gas. What are these walkers and bicycles refueling? One state of the art park has already been put in at Bloch Park. Council---- focus on how the Alabama River can bring your city money!! Stop spending so much time restoring the historic value and beauty of everthing.
Posted by Toad (anonymous) on September 24, 2009 at 9 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Greenways are wonderful and it would be so nice to have them here in Selma, but I have to agree that we need to concentrate all our efforts into the basics needs first.
Most of these council members ran on the platform of building a strong police department, but now that they are elected that seems to have fallen by the wayside while they spend all their time worried about parks and greenways.
Please council, make Selma as safe as it can possibly be and then build the parks and greenways.
Posted by hairjoy (anonymous) on September 24, 2009 at 9:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I think this is a great idea, my family loves to ride bikes and walk and there is not any place around to do so, without loading all bikes up and dragging them to block park.
Posted by eyeonyou (anonymous) on September 24, 2009 at 9:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)
It would be a nice investment and benefit to Selma, yet, I would hate to know how much proper lighting it would take for security purposes. I have to agree with the posters above. Selma has yet to really capitalize off the river. The City Marina was about the only thing that come close to creating tax dollars, jobs, etc. You have to remember the dollar turnover and direct impact of jobs in Selma through the selling of adult bevarages(Bama Bud), Pepsi products, all the snacks, menu items, etc.
If the city doesn't bring this back, then where else on the river will people have the opportunity to access a "marina"? No where. And that is pathetic considering this town is basically built ON A RIVER.
Posted by steeldogwood (anonymous) on September 24, 2009 at 10 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Yes, bike-riding is good and healthy.
What is NOT good OR healthy are the prevailing habits I see around Selma:
no helmets . WHEN you have that inevitable encounter with the concrete, your broken leg or arm will heal, your whomped braincells are unlikely to do so. (I have three friends SO FAR who can testify that their lives were saved by having their helmets in place. I have one friend who is a permanent resident in a long-term care facility for people with brain-damage. She can barely manage her own name.)
Riding into the traffic - a bicycle is a vehicle and legally, and in terms of common sense, must be used this way....in case you disagree with the latter, think in terms of the person behind the wheel of that two-ton thing rolling towards you. If you are riding WITH the traffic, that driver has had plenty of time to notice that you are there and deal with it. Riding towards a car means you just suddenly POP UP. You are many times more likely to get creamed. (see the National Youth Hostels guidelines..if they are still online, or any bicycle-safety organizations)
Not using signals.
Failing to call out when and on what side you are passing another rider.
Riding on sidewalks.
Carrying somebody else on the bike, especially if you put them on the handle-bars (!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
Just generally ignoring traffic regulations...like running red lights, etc. You ARE DRIVING A VEHICLE!
Bicycling is fun and healthy and following the safety guidelines in no way diminishes the fun, and makes it much healthier!!!!
Posted by burt (anonymous) on September 24, 2009 at 10:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I spend a good amount of time in Columbus, GA and they have a similar area called Riverwalk that is a wonderful 15 mile stretch along the Chattahoochee. However, we are no where near as financially gifted as Columbus and need to focus our efforts on the basic things. This starts with bringing business back, and the marina is an excellent start.
Posted by kalwayne911 (anonymous) on September 24, 2009 at 12:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)
This is just another way to throw away good money for the people who already have everything.
Posted by popdukes12 (anonymous) on September 24, 2009 at 5:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Uniontown and Eyeonyou: The subject of the marina was dropped from the paper the day after it was announced at the council meeting that it would NOT be rebuilt. There was no explanation, the story and ALL comments were "Jerked". Was this action political, ideological, cultural? I don't know, but until someone reignites the dialog, the marina is a dead (and buried) issue. popdukes12
Posted by gladimoved (anonymous) on September 24, 2009 at 9:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)
you all love places to walk in selma,huh. have you ever thought about places on the riverfront that will actually make money?
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