Benefits of Greenways

Description of Benefits

Protection of Natural Resources
Greenways provide opportunities to protect and manage wildlife, forests and ecological systems. Greenways can become corridors connecting natural areas, making it possible for more varieties of plants to grow and for wildlife to access water and food by traveling along the greenway. There are many environmental benefits associated with creating greenways to protect natural resources. Air quality is improved by preserving trees that produce oxygen, water quality is protected and noise and thermal pollution are reduced.

Protection of Water Resources
Greenways protect our state's water resources by buffering non-point sources of pollution. Providing a vegetation buffer between surface water resources and development can help curb this problem, while at the same time provide recreational and other amenities in a community. Greenways and associated open spaces also provide recharge areas for groundwater aquifers, critical to the Commonwealth's drinking water supplies, especially in times of drought.

Stewardship of Pennsylvania's Rural and Farmland Legacy
Greenways are one solution to maintaining important open spaces and farmland that retains Pennsylvania's rural nature. Creating a greenway that preserves open space and agricultural land can help protect the rural legacy of the state. This initiates environmental preservation and education, provides recreational facilities, shapes development and generates opportunities for economic benefits.

Conservation of Historic and Cultural Resources
Due to the large amount of new development on agricultural lands, the preservation and protection of cultural and historic resources must be acknowledged. Combining greenways with a historic feature provides an opportunity to experience a historic site and to enjoy nature. Greenways are not only a tool to preserve and exhibit our past, they give the public access to historic features while at the same time, provide educational opportunities and protect and preserve resources for future generations.

Conservation of Scenic Resources
Pennsylvania is known for its mountainous terrain, and the scenic views of these places are being lost to new development. For many residents, the beauty of Pennsylvania contributes to their quality of life. For visitors, scenic quality is a distinguishing feature that draws them to the state. The Pennsylvania Greenways Program can help residents protect, promote and enjoy their outstanding scenic resources.

Fostering of Public Recreation, Health, and Fitness
Greenways provide recreation opportunities for families and individuals of all ages and abilities and are a core component of strategies to foster health and wellness - especially as our population ages. Greenways not only provide green surroundings, but also offer the public fitness opportunities. They allow people safe, accessible, attractive, and low or no cost places to bike, walk, run, hike or in-line skate. Greenways provide transportation options, alternatives to the automobile and a chance to be physically active.

Creation of Educational Opportunities
The different types of greenways bring people into direct contact with our natural environment and cultural and historic places. Many greenways have signs and brochures to inform people about natural or historic features, and schools or other civic groups often use greenways as "outdoor classrooms" for field trips and special events. Greenways educate the public about historic sites, the protection of natural resources, environmental and scientific topics, health benefits, and promote the interaction of people and nature.

Support of Economic Prosperity
Pennsylvania's communities and businesses benefit from greenways tourism dollars in the rapidly growing outdoor/adventure tourism industry. Tourism and recreation related spending is stimulated around greenways with health, fitness and other recreational features. In recent years, tourism has become a growing industry for Pennsylvania and is the state's second largest industry. As popularity for recreational greenways increase, the tourism industry will continue to grow from prospering businesses and increased employment around trials.

Promotion of Sustainable Development and Sound Land Use
Many Pennsylvanians now acknowledge that the quality of life and character of their communities are under pressure from suburban sprawl and unplanned development. Greenways present a significant opportunity to guide land use to help ensure that as communities grow, protected green space and recreational opportunities are built into their futures. Further, greenways are a redevelopment tool to help to "green" brownfields and urban areas.

Provision of Alternative Transportation
Greenways create links and connections in places that would otherwise be reached only through automobile use. Often greenways create alternative means to travel between residential and shopping districts, and make connections to other recreational facilities and larger green spaces. These links create a sophisticated transportation system that reduces traffic congestion and encourages people to use alternative means of transportation like walking, bicycling and running. Greenways can be used as one way to harmonize various means of transportation and interweave the interaction of pedestrians and automobiles.

Building Partnerships
Greenways enhance the sense of place in a community or region. Greenways have many stakeholders and beneficiaries. The planning and development of greenways naturally lead to the formation of broad-based partnerships, bringing together civic groups, regional planners, community leaders, educators, business owners and others. The partnership approach not only provides resources but also builds public support or "community capital" and consensus for more greenways investment.