During the COVID Pandemic, I made it a mission to walk or bike all of the greenways in Nashville. Our greenway system never closed, remaining open to supporting the health and well-being of our entire community, allowing us to escape from the craziness and isolation of quarantine. Greenways were a god-send, allowing us to get out there, and interact with the community, even if it was just a smile and wave, in the safest way possible during these trying times. My meetings shifted to ‘walk and talks,’ and many were on the various greenway loops conducive to discussion. One of my new favorites was a section on Mill Creek at the Wimhole trailhead, where one can walk or bike a double loop. My wife Sherry and I bought bikes and bought one for our granddaughters so that we could get out with our quaren’team’ on a greenway trek.
Nashville has just a hair under 100 miles of greenways throughout Davidson County, many of which are on the Cumberland River and our county’s seven other river systems. We explored Mill Creek, the Harpeth River, White’s Creek, Richland Creek, and Stone’s River Greenways on these outings and saw many faces who now really get the importance of our greenways for so many reasons.
Some value our greenways for health and wellness, walking, running, blading, and biking for sound body and mind.
Many use the greenways for transportation and our daily commute (though this function was curtailed during the pandemic). Regardless, greenways are vital for our transportation system in the inner core. I am bullish on greenways for transportation, particularly in the urban core.
And of course, notable in a pandemic, greenways create community. Acute for me over these past couple of years, I see that people have their favorite neighborhood greenways, using the system for connection.
Many, and I’m in that category, love the connection to nature. Many of our greenways and river systems on sizable metro parks are habitat corridors where I can watch nature in action, including my hobby, watching the birds.
There is also the aspect of environmental protection. Greenways are linear parks, and many of these greenways come with protected lands that metro parks now control. In a growing city like Nashville, with our increasing population, it is crucial to protect our natural environment.
Important for all is habitat protection, and greenways and associated parks protect species of nature in our city.
Many of those in my field are exploring ‘trail-oriented development’ opportunities. Being on or near a greenway can really enhance a community, improving what is known as a ‘walk score.’ Not unlike a good neighborhood commercial district within walking distance of an urban community, access to a greenway is beneficial for so many reasons.
How Greenways Benefit Real Estate
Walk Scores. The closer you are to community assets, the more valuable your real estate will be. People value the connectivity of neighborhoods to parks, schools, and other local businesses. It’s not just about the benefits of a walk but the increased quality of life and community connection a good walk score brings. Walkable neighborhoods offer more convenience as well as a more healthy and environmentally friendly lifestyle, which is gaining much significance among the younger generations.
Nashville has just under 100 miles of greenway, with more to come. Let’s set a goal together: explore your community, reduce your carbon footprint and walk 100 miles! If you want to learn more about me or my business, visit my website today. You can learn more about Greenways for Nashville here.