The Greenways Are Coming: A Lesson in Asset Overlap

If you run a large water or wastewater utility in an increasingly urbanizing area, it is inevitable that greenways are going to overlap with your system. While there are some potential downsides (security risks, property liability, potential hazards for underground assets and collection systems), the benefits can outweigh the risks. Greenways can enhance public connection with your utility, help grow government partnerships across different units, and can provide added value to your region. In a best case scenario, all of these can lead to willingness for politicians to spend on infrastructure and public acceptance of the need to do so. Conversely, opponents warn they can result in increased trespassing, graffiti, and other security problems or damage to critical assets. Regardless, they are coming. Interest in greenways in large metropolitan cities has surged. This might be a result of younger generations being attracted to urban lifestyles, while still longing for “green“ recreation space. As cities compete for younger transplants, the “Millennial” desire for breweries AND bike paths carries more weight. Greenways are an excellent merger of these two desires. Additionally, as urban stream restoration and revitalization continues to show economic promise, greenways and greenway proximal development will continue to be emphasized. Figuring out a path to safely and effectively merge all the different pieces of infrastructure in a single corridor will be key.