Robeson Creek Greenway

The sign is up for the New Robeson Creek Greenway!  The basic corridor is open, and although there is more work to be done, folks are using it, so I suppose the greenway is  officially open.  The corridor stretches from Sanford Road and runs about 1,200 feet to a spot near the intersection of Small and Chatham Streets.  The greenway will ultimately extend a bit further to a trailhead off Small Street later this year.  

Robeson Creek Greenway Sign

The greenway project was initiated and is managed by Megan Bolejack, Community Health Promotion and Advocacy Coordinator, along with the Chatham County Health Department.  Megan acquired a Fit Community Grant with the support of her Director, Holly Coleman, as well as Pittsboro Parks and Active Chatham.  The Town and County had to sign off on the project as it traverses both Town and County property and uses Town easements.  The Town will assume maintenance of the project after it is completed. It has already assisted with signage design and purchase, landscaping (mostly clearing away of invasive, non-native species), and had the rustic benches along the corridor installed.  Interestingly, the oak slabs used for the benches were milled from trees cleared from the Mary Hayes Barber Holmes Park.

Megan's Bridge

One large Hackberry tree highlighted through selective clearing and mulch, has been designated as a Meritorious Tree by the Grand Trees of Chatham Organization. It is quite a specimen, but as large as it is there’s a larger tree still in Chatham County which was also recognized this year. 

The greenway has great potential as a linear park.  Imagine, the next time you visit, the cleared corridor being much wider, with the invasive species removed giving a greater sense of openness.  As the new Justice Center takes form on its prominent hill, the greenway feels more urban, but is still a relaxing and attractive respite from the sidewalks along the busy roads.  Bird songs and the rushing sounds of Robeson Creek seem far removed from the traffic above.  

The pilot project is great in and of itself, but hopefully it will kindle greater interest in a more ambitious greenway system for the Town.  The site has great potential as a City/ County Park just below the Justice Center, and the Greenway has the potential to extend to the County Fairgrounds and beyond to the East and certainly to Town Lake Park to the West.  

Grand Hackberry Tree

Please join the other runners, bicyclists and walkers already seen enjoying the corridor.