When Raleigh’s Neuse River Greenway reaches the Johnston County Line in the spring of 2013, it’ll have company.
“It should be done by this time next year, if not sooner,” Bob Mosher with the NC Department of Transportation’s Division of Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety said Thursday.
The first 8-mile stretch of the Neuse River Greenway in Raleigh is on target to open this September, Raleigh senior greenway planner Vic Lebsock said Thursday.
“Yes, I am,” he replied when asked if he was confident of the late summer opening.
The 8-mile stretch, from Falls of Neuse Road just below the Falls Lake dam south to the WRAL Soccer Complex, is part of the Neuse River Greenway, which will run 28 miles, from Falls Lake dam south to the Johnston County Line. The entire $30 million project is scheduled to be complete in early 2013.
The map told me to expect a long ride. And even though it was most recent version, it couldn’t keep up with the system’s expansion. Instead of seven miles to explore, I was getting a bonus mile and a half. At 8.5 miles, I was now getting to explore the Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation greenway system’s longest stretch of interconnected trail.
It’s a weekend that needs no introduction … .
Coast
Can it already be competitive 2-on-2 beach volleyball season? Yes it can, apparently, at least in Emerald Isle where the “2v2 Beach Volleyball Tournament – Summer Series” will be in full swing Saturday morning. Competition begins at 9, runs until noon, at the Western Ocean Regional Access. Fee is $55 per team, players must be 16 or older and pre-registration is required, by calling 252.354.6350. (You can get more details on the tournament at that number as well.)
Organized greenway rides such as Saturday’s 28-miler in Durham celebrating the East Coast Greenway Alliance’s relocation to Durham showcase these valuable community assets — and underscore how we need more of them.
If that sounds familiar, I wrote essentially the same thing after last year’s Cross Triangle Greenway ride recognizing the region’s growing greenway network.