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Improved greenways topic of IPA conference keynote
10:40 a.m., March 23, 2007--Bob Searns, a veteran landscape architect and greenways project coordinator, was the keynote speaker at UD's Institute for Public Administration policy forum, “Sidewalks and Shared-Use Paths: Safety, Security and Maintenance,” held Wednesday, March 21, at Clayton Hall. Addressing an audience that included approximately 50 UD public policy students and faculty members, as well as local police officers and policymakers, Searns said that there are “two universes” to greenways and emphasized that successful trails projects result from good input from both. “There is a growing trails movement,” Searns said, “and I think the pivot-point is at a successful balance of the two universes--users and policymakers.” Searns discussed the increased demands for trails and greenways, the challenges the growing demand poses, and possible solutions for handling issues like shared use, safety, liability and funding. “I think we're beginning to see changes in attitudes and changes in 'going beyond golf,'” Searns said. “When we consider creating greenways, trails and 'complete streets' (streets designed for pedestrians, bicyclists and cars), we have to take a lot of factors into consideration, and doing so takes funding. But as demand rises even in places like Disney World, it's clear that creating user-friendly greenways is a long-term investment in infrastructure.” Searns cited rising obesity rates and new health findings linking exercise to decreased rates of depression and cardiovascular disease as important incentives to incorporate greenways into city planning projects. He also touched on environmental payoffs and jobs created through the maintenance and management of greenways. In concluding his lecture, Searns stressed the importance of user responsibility and made the point that no amount of signage, or maintenance, or management, could take the place of common sense and accountability. “We all need to invest in quality trails and in making streets that are more enjoyable and pleasant and safe for many uses,” he said. “Well-designed trails may be more expensive to design and maintain, but in the long run they are better for everyone.” Searns has designed and implemented award-winning greenway and trail projects in several North American cities, including Denver, Las Vegas, Dallas, Los Angeles and Portland, over the past 30 years and is a respected expert in planning, design and construction coordination. He has led workshops for American Trails, U.S. National Park Service, American Planning Association and the Urban Land Institute. Searns is the co-author of Greenways: A Guide to Planning Design and Development and Trails for the 21st Century, and writes regularly for Planning Magazine, Landscape Architecture Magazine and American Trails Magazine. He serves as chairperson of American Trails, a national nonprofit group that promotes trails and greenways. Wednesday's forum was sponsored by the Institute for Public Administration in UD's College of Human Services, Education and Public Policy and was funded by the Delaware Department of Transportation. Article by Becca Hutchinson |
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