AGENDA #12b

                                                            MEMORANDUM

TO:                  W. Calvin Horton, Town Manager

FROM:            Bill Letteri, Public Works Directors

SUBJECT:       Greenway Commission Request for Funding of Greenway Maintenance

DATE:             April 27, 2005

This report discusses the Greenways Commission’s request for funding relating to maintenance of Greenways.

BACKGROUND

Public Works currently performs routine maintenance on the Greenways. This work is performed to maintain greenways in a safe and aesthetically pleasing condition. The Greenways are included in scheduled litter pickup routes. Mowing of grass is done on about a two week cycle, as are most other Town facilities during the growing season. Edging along paved surfaces is done once a year to define the width of the pathways. Periodically, downed trees and branches require clearing from trail areas and surrounding locations. Pruning under-story trees allows proper distance from trails and canopies above trails. Paved trails and the surrounding areas also require leaf removal in the fall. This process aids in keeping the greenway areas properly defined as well as maintained.

DISCUSSION

Additional funding which the Greenway Commission is requesting would address several current maintenance issues and benefit the community significantly.

Tanyard Branch Trail connecting Caldwell Street to Umstead Park is a natural surface trail, incorporating a series of wooden steps. Erosion problems are decreasing integrity of the trail surface and the wooden step systems have deteriorated extensively. Funding could be used to address the trail surface problems and also to rebuild the step systems.

Battle Branch Trail is a natural surface trail that connects Battle Park to Community Center Park.  The wooden boardwalk system, which supplements the natural trail surface, has deteriorated to a great degree. Funding could be used to rebuild the portions of the boardwalk system which are failing.

Eagle Scout candidates and other volunteers provide support in maintaining and expanding the greenway system. Historically, the Greenways Capital Improvement Project has been the source of  materials used for Eagle Scout and other volunteer projects. Without additional funding, such volunteer programs would lack requisite resources to continue.  

Adopt a Trail and National Trails Program grants have been used regularly to support the Greenway program. Greenways CIP funds historically have been used as match funding for these grant programs.

While we are able to provide day to day maintenance of the greenway system through our normal operating budget, we are not able to provide additional services possible through use of CIP funds.