Greenway Survey Follow Up

We had a question about our greenway survey over on Facebook and thought everyone would appreciate seeing the answer.

Survey Background

Our unpaid intern has been with us about a month and has been researching surveys, survey tools, and survey use. He has been on the Applebee's/Spring Lane Cinemas section of the Endor Iron Furnace Trail (greenway) every day this week implementing the survey he created from this research.

The greenway survey is a great opportunity for our intern, whose college major is Statistics, to get some hands-on experience in his field while also learning about local government.

Though his internship is unpaid, we feel the experience has been and will continue to be beneficial for both of us.

Survey Purpose & Goal

The purpose of the survey is to see how the greenway is currently being used, by what demographic, and at what times of the day. We'd also like to know what amenities users would like to see added, such as more benches, more trash cans, etc.

The goal for this survey is to ensure the greenway facility meets the needs of those who use it and to better understand any barriers to use so that we can help to remove them.

Our intern is specifically targeting areas around the greenway so that the City can get a better feel for how the existing facility is meeting users' needs.

Lee County Government's Parks and Rec department has already performed a large-scale survey of residents' needs and wants concerning recreational activity. That information is available from the county.

Results So Far

Our intern is collecting in-person and online responses to give respondents the opportunity to share their thoughts in the way that's most comfortable for them.

The survey is not limited to residents or active greenway users. We encourage everyone to share their thoughts and perspective.

At this point we have had 82 take the survey (76 online, 6 in person), have posted flyers around the greenway facility, and have handed out short-form surveys to 20 users on the greenway.

Next Steps

With that information, we do hope people will continue sharing their thoughts via the greenway survey. The link to do so is http://bit.ly/15wktir.

If you have further questions about the survey, please feel free to comment here or on our Facebook page, or call 919-777-1133.

Let's Talk Greenway

The City's summer intern, Joseph Akinosho, has created a survey to gather more information about how and why people use -- or don't use -- the Endor Iron Furnace Trail (Greenway).

Share your thoughts here or click the image below to take the survey.

Greenway Forum Recap

If you were unable to attend the City of Sanford’s public forum on the Greenway Extension, you’re in luck. We've recapped the highlights.

City staff held the public forum on Monday, Jan. 28 at the Lee County Library on Hawkins Avenue (5pm).

[See a map of the existing greenway here.]

Here is the information that was presented to attendees:

Benefits

• Besides the recreational benefit, the extension’s proximity to the hospital, medical facilities, and the Nautilus, this an opportunity to promote healthy lifestyles.

• The extension will get the greenway to the intersection of Carthage Street and fields Drive which opens access to moderate income families that may not have other modes of transportation and opportunities for safe exercise.

• There were already several organizations using the greenway for numerous walking and running events and the extension would allow for even more sanctioned events.

Cost

• The preliminary budget estimate of the greenway extension was expected to be around $512,000.

• Costs for the project included easement acquisition, greenway development, therapeutic outdoor exercise equipment, amenities such as benches and trash cans, and construction management.

• Once constructed the City of Sanford would maintain the facility in much the same manner as the Endor Iron Trail to the north of Kiwanis Family Park.

Fine Details

• Greenway would extend from the southern terminus of the trail in Kiwanis Park to Central Carolina Hospital.

• The proposed extension is approximately 3110 linear feet, which would make the total greenway over 3 miles.

• Applications for PARTF Funding were due January 31, 2012.

• The City would get notice of award sometime in late spring or mid summer. An agreement would be made in early August.

• The project will require three years to complete.

Public Response

Attendees offered City staff several ideas that may be incorporated into the final design, such as adding lighting for early morning or late evening use, installing emergency phones, and coordinating a pet policy with Lee County’s Parks & Recreation Department.

For more information about the greenway project, contact David Montgomery at david.montgomery@sanfordnc.net.

City Seeking Your Comments On Greenway Extension

The City of Sanford staff will hold a public meeting and comment session on the City's intention to apply for PARTF funds to develop the Medical Mile Greenway Extension, which will be Phase 2 of the Endor Iron Trail.

When & Where

The meeting will be on Monday, Jan. 28, 2013 at 5pm in the auditorium of Lee County Library's main branch at 107 Hawkins Avenue in Sanford.

The City's Goal

If funds are granted, the City will extend the Endor Iron Trail from Kiwanis Family Park to Central Carolina Hospital -- which will add more than quarter mile of paved walking and bike path, as well as site furnishings, exercise equipment, and environmental/healthy living interpretive signs.

Want To Comment?

Citizens wishing to share their thoughts are encouraged to attend. Written comments must be submitted prior to the meeting and should be addressed to David Montgomery at 226 Carthage Street, Sanford NC 27330.

You may also submit your comments via email to david.montgomery@sanfordnc.net.