News Cycle: Greenways & Greenbacks: Economy, health are both beneficiaries

News Cycle: Greenways & Greenbacks: Economy, health are both beneficiaries

Originally published in Connect Savannah on November 21, 2018.

Cyclists following the route of the East Coast Greenway comprised most of the customers at the Creative Catering restaurant in Woodbine last Tuesday, illustrating the significant economic benefit bicycle tourism can bring to Coastal Georgia. - PHOTO BY BRENT BUICE
Cyclists following the route of the East Coast Greenway comprised most of the customers at the Creative Catering restaurant in Woodbine last Tuesday, illustrating the significant economic benefit bicycle tourism can bring to Coastal Georgia. – PHOTO BY BRENT BUICE

“IT’S THE kind of place you’d drive right by in a car and not see unless you were really low on gas.”

That’s the way Lisa Watts described the tiny convenience store at a crossroads north of Woodbine in Camden County. The good news for the proprietor is that she did stop. And so did dozens of folks from around the country traveling with her.

Watts, communications manager for the East Coast Greenway Alliance, was one of 45 people who rode their bicycles from Savannah to Titusville, Fla. last week on the alliances’ “Week a Year Tour,” an annual fundraising ride.

“At least 30 of us stopped to buy cold drinks and snacks,” she said.

That particular convenience store was not the only beneficiary of spending power on two wheels. Creative Catering café in Woodbine also received a visit.

“It was the only place open in the downtown area and we loved the air conditioning as much as anything. While it seemed we were overwhelming the small restaurant, the staff handled it well and the locals were very friendly,” she said.

“In general, we have found Georgians to be kind and receptive and curious.”

Click here to read the full article in Connect Savannah. 

 

Joint Coastal Study Committee recommends construction of Coastal Georgia Greenway

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The Joint House Senate Study Committee on the Coastal Georgia Greenway has issued a report recommending construction of a 450-mile system of trails in coastal Georgia.

“Recognizing the economic, health, recreational and environmental benefits of the Coastal Georgia Greenway, the Committee recommends its implementation and construction in four phases over the next ten years, beginning in St. Mary’s and ending in Savannah.”

The report also recommends the Coastal Regional Commission oversee the implementation of the greenway, and identified annual appropriations as the primary funding mechanism. In addition, “State governmental authorities should work with local governments to secure funding from public and private sources” the report stated.

The committee, co-chaired by Rep. Ron Stephens of Savannah and Sen. William Ligon of Brunswick, held public meetings in Richmond Hill and Darien, where business leaders, elected officials and citizens expressed overwhelming enthusiasm for the project.

Please consider contacted your representatives to let them know you support the Coastal Georgia Greenway. Download the report.

Second Coastal Georgia Greenway Joint Study Committee meeting set for Nov. 4

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The next meeting of the Joint House-Senate Coastal Greenway Study Committee has been scheduled for Nov. 4 at 1 p.m. at the Coastal Regional Commission office at 1181 Coastal Drive SW, in Darien. The public is invited to attend and provide input on the greenway.
The committee is charged with studying the conditions, needs, issues, and problems related to Coastal Georgia Greenway construction and to recommend any action or legislation, which the committee deems necessary or appropriate to be presented for action by the Georgia Legislature in 2016.
Read about the committee’s first meeting, held in Richmond Hill in September, in Connect Savannah: Greenway deserves the green light.