About Great rivers greenway
Great Rivers Greenway: Connecting Communities through Parks and Trails
Great Rivers Greenway is a regional parks and trails district that connects St. Louis City, St. Louis County, and St. Charles County in a network of greenways. The organization's mission is to create vibrant spaces where people can live, work, and play while promoting healthy lifestyles and environmental sustainability.
With over 125 miles of greenways already developed or under construction, Great Rivers Greenway has become an integral part of the community's fabric. The organization works closely with local governments, businesses, non-profits, and residents to identify opportunities for new trails and parks that meet the needs of the community.
One of Great Rivers Greenway's most significant projects is the River Ring - a 600-mile trail system that will encircle the entire St. Louis region. This ambitious project will connect communities across Missouri and Illinois while providing access to some of the region's most beautiful natural areas.
The River Ring project is just one example of how Great Rivers Greenway is working to improve quality-of-life for residents in the region. By creating safe spaces for walking, biking, running, or simply enjoying nature with family or friends - Great Rivers Greenway aims to promote physical activity while reducing carbon emissions from cars.
In addition to building new trails and parks - Great Rivers Greenway also works hard to maintain existing ones by partnering with local organizations on clean-up efforts or hosting events like bike rides or nature walks.
But it's not just about building more greenways; it's about creating equitable access for all members of our community regardless of their background or income level. That's why Great Rivers Greenway has made it a priority to engage with underserved communities through outreach programs like "Trailnet" which provides free bikes for low-income families who may not have access otherwise.
Another way they are working towards equity is by ensuring that all their projects are designed using an equity lens so that everyone can benefit from them equally regardless if they live in urban areas or rural ones.
Great rivers greenways' commitment towards sustainability doesn't stop at promoting active transportation but extends beyond it as well; they have implemented several initiatives such as rain gardens along their trails which help reduce stormwater runoff into nearby water bodies while also providing habitat for pollinators such as bees & butterflies!
Overall great rivers greenways' vision goes beyond just connecting communities through parks & trails but rather creating sustainable environments where people can thrive both physically & mentally!