Aldridge Creek Greenway Opens Half-Mile Extension
Published on April 3, 2018
The Aldridge Creek Greenway is one-half mile longer, following today’s opening of a new segment from Weatherly Road to Essingler Road. This brings the total miles completed on the Aldridge Creek Greenway to six.
Mayor Tommy Battle and Council Member Jennie Robinson joined City planners, the Land Trust of North Alabama, and municipal representatives to mark the occasion with a ribbon cutting along the newly opened segment.
“We’re building our greenways section by section, year by year, to fulfill the vision laid out by our citizens and planners for a more robust network of pedestrian, cycling and hiking options,” said Mayor Battle.
Aldridge Creek Greenway Map
Huntsville’s Greenway Master Plan, a collaboration between the City of Huntsville and the Land Trust of North Alabama, calls for 312 miles of networked greenways and trails. About 73 miles have been built with another 44 miles slated for construction within the next one to five years.
“This section is exciting for us because the path connects residential users to commercial centers on Bailey Cove,” said Dennis Madsen, Long Range Planner for the City of Huntsville. “This is really about continuing to build a network that connects folks to destinations.”
One final segment of the Aldridge Creek Greenway remains, a stretch from Weatherly Drive south to the existing path. This section is now under design by City staff.
The Aldridge Creek extension that opened today cost about $350,000 to build, with 80 percent of the funding coming from the state through a Transportation Alternative Program (TAP) grant. Funding sources and construction costs for greenways can vary significantly depending upon location, right-of-way, and materials used.
The City and Land Trust are looking for public-private partnerships to help expedite the network’s implementation.
“Our greenways are a valued amenity by our residents,” said Robinson. “What started out as a recreation option is quickly becoming part of our transportation network. It’s a big selling point for our City.”
L-R: Land Trust Executive Director Marie Bostick, District 3 Council Member Jennie Robinson, Madison County Commissioner Phil Riddick, Mayor Tommy Battle, Parks & Recreation Director Steve Ivey, Long Range Planner Dennis Madsen
