Frequently Asked Questions

• What is a greenway?

  Greenways are corridors of protected open space for conservation and/or recreation. Greenways link natural reserves, parks, recreational areas, residential neighborhoods, and employment and shopping districts. For more information about greenways and their benefits see the website sections entitled: About Granville Greenways and Benefits of Greenways.

• Who uses greenways?

  Anyone – greenways have something to offer most people from bird watchers to joggers to commuters.

• Will there be rules and enforcement?

  Rules governing hours of use, prohibition of certain vehicles and unsafe behaviors will be enforced by law enforcement in whose jurisdiction the trail is located. For more detailed information about rules and safety refer to Safety and Trail Rules section on this website.

• I own 200 acres and have been thinking about selling it for industrial or residential development. Will a greenway keep potential developers or companies from wanting to buy my property?

  No. In fact, the existence of greenways is often cited as a contributing factor to the quality of life in a community. Therefore, a community with greenway infrastructure makes itself more marketable for corporations and residential developers.

• Will there be greenway construction and design standards?

  Yes. Design standards have been developed for future greenways in Granville County. This document is available for viewing under the Greenway Master Plan tab.

• Where are greenways planned in Granville County?

  The Greenway Master Plan provides maps of future greenway corridors throughout the county. For more information about current greenway projects and priorities please refer to the Progress page.

• Will greenways help flooding problems?

  Greenways can alleviate flooding problems by taking acres of land out of future development and establishing permanent conservation easements in flood prone areas.

• Am I safe on a greenway?

  Yes. Actual crime data show that greenways are many times safer than places people visit everyday without thinking of being victimized, such as shopping centers. However, no place is 100% safe, so enjoy a greenway trail with the same precautions you would any other public place such as a street or sidewalk in your own neighborhood.

• How do greenways affect the safety of adjoining neighborhoods?

  Research shows that greenways neither increase nor decrease the incidence of crime in adjoining neighborhoods. No studies show that greenways are a source or potential source of crime. Yet, one of the best methods of neighborhood crime prevention is to have more law-abiding people walking about in neighborhoods; and greenways encourage people to be out and about!

• How do greenways affect property values of adjoining properties and neighborhoods?

  A 1998 study of property values along a trail in Brown County, Wisconsin showed that lots adjacent to the trail sold faster and for ~9% more than those not adjacent to the trail (Brown County Planning Commission 1998). Shepherd’s Vineyard developers in Apex, North Carolina added $5,000 to the price of 40 homes adjacent to the regional greenway. Those homes were still the first to sell (Rails to Trails 1999).

• Who is liable for greenway maintenance?

  The jurisdiction in which the greenway is located is responsible for maintenance of that section of greenway.