Transportation Initiatives

Greenways & Blueways

The Region 2000 Greenways and Blueways Plan, is a multi-year conceptual plan that lays the foundation for a series of interconnected green spaces, sidewalks, trails, bikeways and water access points throughout the Region 2000 area. The Region 2000 Greenways and Blueways Plan was developed in corporation with the member jurisdictions, the National Park Service-Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance Program, the Central Virginia Metropolitan Planning Organization, Virginia Department of Transportation, and Greenways Incorporated. The Greenways and Blueways Plan will work to enhance protection of natural resources, provide for alternate transportation to key destinations, protect passive recreational land, promote tourism, cultural, and economic investment and increase the quality of life and healthy lifestyle options for Region 2000 residents.

During the coming year, the Greenways Program Development Team (GPDT), will establish an organizational structure and two-year strategic plan that will guide the implementation of Region 2000 Greenways and Blueways Plan. The GPDT will present provide the Strategic Plan to the member localities and stakeholders in May of 2006. In the mean time, each of the participating localities is working on projects that are components of the greenways and blueway network (see linkages to locality website or eventually a map that shows current projects).

Below are the nine goals articulated with the Region 2000 Greenways and Blueways Plan:

Improve safety form natural hazards
Provide an additional transportation alternative to cars
Protect functionality of natural systems
Maximize opportunities for economic development
Increase recreational and healthy lifestyle options
Inform growth decisions
Create additional opportunities for education
Produce a plan of action that is realistic and able to be implemented
Improve coordination among the elected officials, staff, citizens, and state and federal agencies within the Region 2000 planning district.

From the larger set of goals, four primary principals serve as the driving force behind the two-year strategic plan that will be developed this coming year:

Connectivity among all the jurisdictions with the region
Linkages between noteworthy destinations such as residential areas, parks, schools, and cultural sites
Opportunities for protecting and appreciating natural areas
Increase access to recreation and exercise opportunities close to neighborhoods.

For more information on the Region 2000 Greenways and Blueways Plan, please contact Kelly Hitchcock at 434-845-5678, ext. 218 or khitchcock@region2000.org

View Greenways & Blueways Study (9.8 MB)

Last updated 11/8/07