Downtown Urban Trail Updates
If you or someone you know if interested in volunteering to help serve your Wafco Mills Community, we welcome you to share your interest with us HERE!
The Downtown Greenway in Greensboro, North Carolina, is a 4-mile multi-use paved trail encircling the city's center, connecting neighborhoods, businesses, and educational institutions. The final segment, known as the Western Branch, extends from Spring Garden Street to Smith Street, with an extension north to Hill Street.
The Final Section of the Downtown Greenway runs paralell with Cedar St behind Wafco Mills and Historic Wafco Mills.
Trifrog
Construction Timeline:
Contract Approval: In September 2023, the Greensboro City Council approved a $14.95 million contract with Yates Construction Co. for the Western Branch.
Construction Start: Construction began in early 2024, with an expected completion date of June 2025.
Features of the Final Segment:
Trail Specifications: The 12-foot-wide trail includes buffers between the path and roadways, enhanced landscaping, lighting, benches, bicycle racks, drinking fountains, trash and recycling receptacles, and public art installations.
Community Impact: The completion of the Western Branch will create a continuous loop around downtown Greensboro, enhancing connectivity and promoting economic development in the area.
Current Status:
As of November 2024, construction is ongoing, with completion anticipated by June 2025. The Downtown Greenway continues to host events and programs to engage the community and showcase its offerings.
For more information and updates, visit the official Downtown Greenway website.
Current Status:
As of November 2024, construction is ongoing, with completion anticipated by June 2025. The Downtown Greenway continues to host events and programs to engage the community and showcase its offerings.
For more information and updates, visit the official Downtown Greenway website.
TriFROG, or Triad Friends of Greenways, is a coalition based in the Triad region of North Carolina, encompassing Greensboro, Winston-Salem, and High Point. This organization unites various local groups and individuals to advocate for the maintenance and enhancement of local greenways. Their mission is to persuade decision-makers to prioritize the upkeep and improvement of these trails, emphasizing their economic, health, and community benefits.
Key Objectives:
Maintenance: Addressing issues such as root damage, cracked pavement, and standing water to ensure safety and accessibility.
Directional Signage: Improving signage to aid navigation and enhance user experience.
Connectivity: Closing gaps between greenway segments to create a seamless network for users.
Accessibility: Ensuring trails are accessible to the elderly, young children, and individuals with disabilities by addressing inclines, stairs, and other barriers.
TriFROG collaborates with local organizations and community members to amplify their advocacy efforts, aiming to bring about positive changes with a unified voice.
For more information or to get involved, visit their official website.
Trifrog
11-22-2024 Construction is going very well on the Western Branch section of the Downtown Greenway.
As a reminder again – the western branch section of the downtown greenway is an active construction site and is closed for public use. Please help us spread the word about this.
Parts of Spring Garden Street were closed November 18th near the construction site crossing and the Morehead Park Trailhead Parking Area. This will be closed for approximately 6-8 weeks. There are detour routes advertised and posted. This is the end of the utility upgrades happening along the corridor.
Various lanes of West Market Street from Mendenhall Street to Cedar Street will be closed daily from 9am to 4pm starting Monday, December 2nd, until Friday, December 20th because of DG construction.
I am happy to report that the diesel pump has moved away from the residential areas. They have finished installing the northernmost culvert between Guilford Avenue and Smith Street. They are in process of installing the 2nd culvert between Guilford Avenue and Friendly Avenue and are moving quickly. When they complete that one – they will move on to the 3rd culvert that is between Market Street and McGee Street. This is quite a process to watch – with the stream diversion and the digging out. I have attached a few photos.
The team working on the additional landscaping for the Western Branch has continued their work. They issued the RFP on November 1st and we had 5 firms express an interest in submitting. Those submissions are due December 31st and the committee will get back together in late January to review.
The Market + Branch public art commission is underway. We had 2 artists visit in November and have 2 more coming in December. I encourage you to come to the public talks on these dates:
December 5 at 5:30 at the Greensboro History Museum with Pete Beeman
December 12 at 5:30 at the Greensboro History Museum with Adam Buente
Rails to Trails
Greensboro, North Carolina, boasts a comprehensive urban trail system that includes notable rail-trail conversions, transforming former railway corridors into multi-use paths for recreation and transportation.
Atlantic & Yadkin Greenway
The Atlantic & Yadkin Greenway is Greensboro's primary rail-trail, repurposing the former Atlantic & Yadkin Railway corridor. This paved trail extends approximately 7.5 miles, connecting various neighborhoods, parks, and natural areas. Starting near Lake Brandt, it traverses through Bur-Mil Park and continues southward, offering scenic views of the lake and surrounding woodlands. The greenway provides opportunities for walking, biking, and wildlife observation, featuring bridges and boardwalks over Lake Brandt.
Downtown Greenway
The Downtown Greenway is a 4-mile urban loop encircling downtown Greensboro, designed to promote active transportation and connect communities. While not a rail-trail, it intersects with the Atlantic & Yadkin Greenway, enhancing connectivity within the city's trail network. The greenway features public art installations, landscaping, and amenities such as benches and bike racks, fostering a vibrant urban environment.
Bicentennial Greenway
The Bicentennial Greenway is a 14.5-mile paved pathway connecting Greensboro to High Point, NC. Although not entirely a rail-trail, it includes segments that follow former railway lines. The trail weaves through residential neighborhoods, mixed forests, parks, and natural areas, linking to amenities including shopping areas and schools. It connects with the Atlantic & Yadkin Greenway, further integrating Greensboro's trail system.
Trail Connectivity and Expansion
Greensboro's trail system is designed to interconnect various greenways and trails, providing residents and visitors with extensive routes for recreation and commuting. The integration of rail-trails like the Atlantic & Yadkin Greenway into the urban trail network enhances accessibility and promotes sustainable transportation options. Ongoing efforts aim to expand and maintain these trails, ensuring they remain safe and enjoyable for all users.
For detailed maps and information on Greensboro's trails and greenways, visit the Greensboro Parks and Recreation Department's official website.
In early November of 2024, two Wafco Board of Directors walked with the project managers from the city of Greensboro NC as well as numerous vendors working on this section of the Urban Trail.
February 28th, 2025
Good afternoon everyone. Time for another update on the western branch construction:
You will notice that a lane of traffic on the north side of west market street has been closed to allow for continued work in this area. This closure is expected to last through the month of march. Weather delays have prolonged the original timeline for this.
We expect that the large piles of debris scattered along the western branch will be removed in the coming month(s).
The relocation of the utility duct bank that was discovered near spring garden street that delayed the completion of that underground utility work has been designed and approved – work has begun at that intersection. Not quite sure of the expected end date – but this is the final underground utility work for the project.
You may have noticed that some additional stream restoration work has been completed now that the culverts have been built over the stream crossings. There will be about 80 trees planted this fall as the final component of that project that was funded by a grant from the nc land and water fund.
We have selected the firm that will do the additional landscaping along the western branch. I am please to announce that Habitat Assessment and Restoration Professionals (HARP) will be working with us. We will be hosting a public meeting in late april/early may so community members can meet them and can provide input as they begin their design work. stay tuned for details about that date and location.
Construction continues to move along despite some weather delays this winter. As always – reach out if you have questions or concerns.
Thanks – dabney
dabney sanders
project manager, downtown greenway
Office: 336.387.8353
Mobile: 336.402.0386
122 N. Elm St., Suite 110 | Greensboro, NC 27401
3/26/25 update:
Good morning everyone. Here are some details about what is going on with the Western Branch construction:
Concrete work:
Yates is continuing to work within W. Market St.
Storm improvements have been completed
Concrete work has been completed along the right (south) side of Market St.
The concrete work is currently underway along the left (north) side of Market St. in front of the shopping center. While this work happens, lane closures will be in effect.
Utility work:
The previous AT&T utility conflicts have been relocated in Spring Garden St.
Yates plans to move a crew back over into that area (starting next week) to complete the large storm sewer installation. From April 1 – May 31, sections of Spring Garden Street will be closed and there will be a detour route posted – please be aware.
Grading work:
Smith to Guilford is almost completed. Currently waiting on the glulam bridge construction to be finished before they install the stone base layer.
Guilford to Market will be starting soon (next 2 weeks). Currently Yates is removing debris remaining from the initial clearing of the project.
Market to McGee grading work will follow afterwards. Debris will be removed from there as well once the grading crews move into that section.
McGee to Spring Garden grading will take place last.
Glulam Bridge:
The piles have been driven in place to support the glulam bridge, however all piles have been driven less than the engineered amount. Waiting on direction from Kimley Horn on how to proceed.
Glulam bridge was scheduled to be delivered 3/26 for installation, pending pile drive recommendation from KH.
Retaining wall along Cedar St.
Roadworks (sub) will start on the retaining wall after the Glulam Bridge work has been completed.
Hillside Drive Fencing:
Yates will be ready to install the fencing within the next couple of months. Need to meet with the property owners to discuss gate location. Would prefer to drop off a stake near the LOD limits and have the owner place said stake at their convenience for their preferred location. Otherwise need to setup individual meetings with the owners to stake gate location. Will be in touch individually about this.
Stream Restoration:
CCS has started installing the live stakes on the section between Smith to Guilford
The final trees that are a part of this project will be planted this fall
Street Lights:
The electrician will start laying the conduits and setting the pole bases in the near future.
Landscaping:
HARP (the landscaping group selected to design and install additional landscaping along this corridor) and the Downtown Greenway will be hosting a public meeting on Thursday, April 24th from 5:00-7:00 in the Sternberger Center in the Jones Library on the Greensboro College campus. All are invited. A flyer with additional information will follow.
Public Art:
The Art Selection Panel has selected Pete Beeman for the Market & Branch public art work. We are getting him under contract and he will be tweaking his design this spring to get ready for fabrication this summer.
Paul Evans continues work on his bench for the Westerwood neighborhood.
Jim Gallucci continues planning for the Wonder of Water project that will feature artwork along the College Branch Stream highlighting the importance of our water and where it comes from.
We are beginning conversations with College Hill and Westerwood neighborhoods about signage recognizing them.
We are beginning conversations about the 2 decorative crosswalks along this section – at Guilford and at McGee – we will be working with GDOT and the Creative Greensboro office on the parameters for these and then look forward to working with students at Weaver Academy and artists from the Westerwood neighborhood on these commissions.
So – you can see we have a lot going on as we work to wrap up this project by the end of the year/early next. Let me know if you have questions or comments. Thanks - dabney
dabney sanders
project manager, downtown greenway
Office: 336.387.8353
Mobile: 336.402.0386
122 N. Elm St., Suite 110 | Greensboro, NC 27401
