Benefits

Overwhelming research reveals that access to trails and greenways improves the health of citizens; provides better, safer and less expensive transit options; boosts the economy, and grows equity and pride in the community. Click on the icons in the wheel to read more!

Works Cited

[1] South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control, 2011 South Carolina Obesity Burden Report, Accessed July 22, 2020, https://www.scdhec.gov/sites/default/files/docs/Health/docs/Obesity%20Burden%20Report%202011.pdf
[2]Booth, Frank W., Christian K. Roberts, and Matthew J. Laye. “Lack of exercise is a major cause of chronic diseases.” Comprehensive Physiology 2, no. 2 (2011): 1143-1211.
[3] “Benefits of exercise” National Health Service, accessed July 24, 2020, https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/exercise/exercise-health-benefits/
[4] American Trails Staff, “FAQ: Our roads are in bad shape… why spend money on trails?” American Trails, last modified September 2018, https://www.americantrails.org/resources/faq-our-roads-are-in-bad-shape-why-spend-money-on-trails
[5] “The Economic Benefits of Trails” American Hiking Society, accessed July 24, 2020, https://conservationtools.org/library_items/1077-The-Economic-Benefits-of-Trails
[6] “Protected Bike Lanes Mean Business” People for Bikes and Alliance for Biking & Walking, Accesses July 21, 2020, http://www.pedbikeinfo.org/resources/resources_details.cfm?id=5161

[7] “The State of Latino Green Space” Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, accessed October 13, 2017, https://salud-america.org/strategy-green-space-projects-can-boost-latino-health/
[8] Van den Berg, Agnes E., Jolanda Maas, Robert A. Verheij, and Peter P. Groenewegen. “Green space as a buffer between stressful life events and health.” Social science & medicine 70, no. 8 (2010): 1203-1210.
[9] “Cycling, the better mode of transport” UN Environment Programme, accessed July 24, 2020, https://www.unenvironment.org/news-and-stories/story/cycling-better-mode-transport
[10] Priti Ambani, “Dutch Kids: What’s the Connection Between Happiness and Cycling” Medium, accessed July 24, 2020. https://medium.com/@envirotarian/dutch-kids-whats-the-connection-between-happiness-and-cycling-8df5a61947a0

[11] “The Decline of Walking and Bicycling” Safe Routes to School Guide, accessed July 24, 2020, http://guide.saferoutesinfo.org/introduction/the_decline_of_walking_and_bicycling.cfm
[12] “Overweight or Obesity-Youth in South Carolina”, America’s Health Rankings, United Health Foundation, accessed July 24, 2020, https://www.americashealthrankings.org/explore/health-of-women-and-children/measure/youth_overweight/state/SC
[13] “PFB Key Statistics” People for Bikes, accessed July 24, 2020, https://wsd-pfb-sparkinfluence.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2017/10/PFB_Key_Statistics.pdf
[14] “Safe Routes to School – Healthy Kids Campaign”, Idaho Walk Bike Alliance, accessed July 24, 2020, https://idahowalkbike.org/safe-routes-to-school/
[15] “Infographic: The Benefits of Nature” Mood Walks, accessed July 24, 2020, https://www.moodwalks.ca/about-mood-walks/infographic-the-benefits-of-nature/
[16] “Why Walk or Bike” Walk & Bike To School, accessed July 24, 2020, http://www.walkbiketoschool.org/learn-more/why-walkbike/

[17] “Consumer Expenditures in 2018” U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2020, accessed July 24, 2020. https://www.bls.gov/opub/reports/consumer-expenditures/2018/pdf/home.pdf
[18] “Economy” Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center, accessed July 24, 2020, http://www.pedbikeinfo.org/factsfigures/facts_economy.cfm
[19] “Reduce Your Parking Lot Footprint with Bike Lockers” Cycle Safe, December 4, 2017, accessed July 24, 2020, https://cyclesafe.com/reduce-parking-lot-footprint-with-bike-lockers/
[20] Kevin Mills “5 ways multi-use trail systems transform communities” GreenBiz, May 21, 2019, accessed July 24, 2020, https://www.greenbiz.com/article/5-ways-multi-use-trail-systems-transform-communities
[21] “Fast Facts on Transportation Greenhouse Gas Emissions” United States Environmental Protection Agency, July 7 2020, Accessed July 24 2020, https://www.epa.gov/greenvehicles/fast-facts-transportation-greenhouse-gas-emissions
[22] GGE from a Typical, Greenhouse Gas Emissions. “Passenger Vehicle.” US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)[Online] http://www. epa. gov/otaq/climate/documents/420f14040. pdf (2014).
[23] [18] “Environment” Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center, accessed July 24, 2020, http://www.pedbikeinfo.org/factsfigures/facts_environment.cfm
[24] “Enhancing the Environment with Trails and Greenways” Trails and Greenways Clearinghouse. June 15, 1999. Accessed July 24, 2020, http://www.railstotrails.org/resourcehandler.ashx?name=enhancing-the-environment-with-trails-and-greenways&id=3062&fileName=tgc_conenv.pdf

[25] Goodman, Anna, Shannon Sahlqvist, David Ogilvie, and iConnect Consortium. “New walking and cycling routes and increased physical activity: one-and 2-year findings from the UK iConnect Study.” American journal of public health 104, no. 9 (2014): e38-e46.
[26] “Columbus: The Future of Connectivity 2017 Green Issue” Youtube Video, 4:04. Posted by “Rails-to-Trails Conservancy,” August 2, 2017. https://www.youtube.com/watch?reload=9&v=pGrFzpnXGhE&feature=youtu.be

[27] “The Outdoor Recreation Economy” Outdoor Industry Association. 2017. Accessed July 24, 2020. https://outdoorindustry.org/advocacy/
[28] Cindy Landrum, “GHS Swamp Rabbit Trail receives Great Places honor” Greenville Journal. November 20, 2017. Accessed July 24, 2020. https://greenvillejournal.com/news/ghs-swamp-rabbit-trail-receives-great-places-honor/
{28] “People’s Choice Designee. Greenville Health System Swamp Rabbit Trail, Greenville SC.” American Planning Association, Great Places in America. 2017. Accessed October 25, 2020. https://www.planning.org/greatplaces/peopleschoice/previous/#:~:text=Located%20in%20the%20shadow%20of,the%20town%20of%20Travelers%20Rest.

[29] Brittney Lofthouse “Study Shows Bicycle Tourism Impacts Local Economy” The Macon County News. March 30, 2017. Accessed July 24, 2020. https://themaconcountynews.com/study-shows-bicycle-tourism-impacts-local-economy/
[30] “2018 Benchmarking Report on Bicycling and Walking” The League of American Bicyclists. 2018. Accessed July 24, 2020. https://bikeleague.org/sites/default/files/Benchmarking_Report-Sept_03_2019_Web.pdf
[31] Darren Flusche “Bicycling Means Business: Economic Benefits of Bicycle Infrastructure” League if American Bicyclist. Accessed July 24, 2020. https://bikeleague.org/sites/default/files/Bicycling_and_the_Economy-Econ_Impact_Studies_web.pdf
[32] American Trails Staff. “Ten Examples That Show Trail Tourism Works” American Trails. Accessed July 24, 2020. https://www.americantrails.org/resources/trail-tourism-makes-huge-impacts

[33] Thomas Gotschi and Kevin Mills. “Active Transportation for America: The Case for Increases Federal Investment in Bicycling and Walking” Rails to Trails Conservancy. 2008. Accessed July 24, 2020. https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwi66v-76O3qAhVLheAKHaH2AiQQFjAAegQIBRAB&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.railstotrails.org%2Fresourcehandler.ashx%3Fid%3D2948&usg=AOvVaw1p4C1JG2QL6SfNN2hBFrw4
[34] Salvesen, David, and Henry Renski. “The importance of quality of life in the location decisions of new economy firms.” University of North Carolina, Center for Urban and Regional Studies (2003).
[35] “Securing Economic Resources to Get the Project Done” Atlanta BeltLine. Accessed July 24, 2020. https://beltline.org/the-project/project-funding/
[36] “A look inside Partners in Active Living’s plan to connect Spartanburg’s trails and bring opportunities downtown” Upstate Business Journal. November 11, 2016
[37] Eric Connor. “Master plan for Swamp Rabbit Trail extension is becoming clear. Here are the highlights.” Greenville News Online. Dec 19, 2019. Accessed July 24, 2020. https://www.greenvilleonline.com/story/news/local/2019/09/17/travelers-rest-tr-sc-population-on-pace-to-grow-another-14-percent/2196500001/

[38] Smith, Evan Peter. “Connectivity a Key Issue for Swamp Rabbit Trail Extension,” Greenville Journal. December 18, 2019. Accessed July 24, 2020. https://issuu.com/cjdesigns/docs/010320-gj
[39] Campbell Jr, Harrison S., and Darla K. Munroe. “Greenways and greenbacks: the impact of the Catawba Regional Trail on property values in Charlotte, North Carolina.” Southeastern Geographer 47, no. 1 (2007): 118-137.
[40] David P. Racca and Amardeep Dhanju. “Project Report for Property Value/Desirability Effects of Bike Paths Adjacent to Residential Areas” Delaware Center For Transportation and The State of Delaware Department of Transportation. November 2006. Accessed July 24, 2020. https://www.railstotrails.org/resourcehandler.ashx?name=project-report-for-property-valuedesirability-effects-of-bike-paths-adjacent-to-residential-area&id=4482&fileName=bikepathfinal.pdf

[41] “Health, United States 2018” U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 2019. Accessed July 24, 2020. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/hus/hus18.pdf
[42] “Using Local Land Use Laws to Facilitate Physical Activity” Bridging the Gap Research Informing Policies and Practices for Healthy Youth. March 2012. Accessed July 24, 2020. http://www.bridgingthegapresearch.org/_asset/5q86hg/btg_land_use_pa_FINAL_03-09-12.pdf
[43] Amelie Ramirez. “Strategy: Green Space Projects can Boost Latino Health” Salud America. May 10, 2019. Accessed July 24, 2020. https://salud-america.org/strategy-green-space-projects-can-boost-latino-health/
[44] Brody, Samuel. “The characteristics, causes, and consequences of sprawling development patterns in the United States.” Nature Education Knowledge 4, no. 5 (2013): 2.

[45] “Measuring Sprawl 2014” Smart Growth America: Making Neighborhoods Great Together. April 2014. Accessed July 24, 2020. http://www.smartgrowthamerica.org/documents/measuring-sprawl-2014.pdf?utm_medium=website&utm_source=archdaily.com
[46] Barton, Jo, Rachel Hine, and Jules Pretty. “The health benefits of walking in greenspaces of high natural and heritage value.” Journal of Integrative Environmental Sciences 6, no. 4 (2009): 261-278.

[47] “Equity” Ped Bike Info: Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center. Accessed July 24, 2020. http://www.pedbikeinfo.org/factsfigures/facts_equity.cfm
[48] Shafer, C. Scott, Bong Koo Lee, and Shawn Turner. “A tale of three greenway trails: user perceptions related to quality of life.” Landscape and urban planning 49, no. 3-4 (2000): 163-178.
[49] “Benefits of Trails and Greenways” National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance Program. January 2008. Accessed July 24, 2020. https://www.cdlandtrust.org/sites/default/files/publications/Benefits%20of%20Trails-NPS.pdf
[50] “Benefits of Trails and Greenways: Why Establish Trails and Greenways” Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. March 14, 2018. Accessed July 24, 2020. https://portal.ct.gov/DEEP/Outdoor-Recreation/Greenways/Benefits-of-Trails-and-Greenways
[51] Houck, Ty. Interview with Sam Davis. Personal interview. Greenville SC. July 17, 2020.

Benefits

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