2008 Woodie Awards
Gordon secures funds for greenways as alternative
Dan Potter
Issue date: 1/14/08 Section: News
As part of Bart Gordon's plan to build a greenway from Murfreesboro to Nashville, the U.S. representative has secured $424,000 in federal funds to expand trails in Rutherford County.
The funds are part of a $1.8 million package passed by Congress to fund ecosystem restoration and protection here.
Gordon said his desire to preserve green space in Murfreesboro stems from his upbringing on a farm here. When he was elected to Congress in the mid 80s, "We were going through a real growth spurt," he said.
"I was seeing green space that was getting away from us," Gordon said. However, "It's expensive to buy large portions of land here." Gordon's solution is something he calls a "linear park," better known as a greenway - a woodland path for pedestrians and cyclists.
Gordon hopes the greenways can be used for transportation as well as recreation. They're part of an effort to create alternative means of transportation in the area, which also includes a growing bus network.
Eventually, Gordon intends to equip buses here with mounts for bicycles, so cyclists can ride to and from bus stops. "Smart buses" will also feature wireless Internet, so riders can surf the Web via laptop while they commute.
Gordon's ultimate goal is to provide a variety of public transportation options. "It has to work as a system altogether," he said. "I want to see mass transportation all through Middle Tennessee, with MTSU being a destination in that system."
"I think we are the second largest metropolitan area in the South" without mass public transportation, he said. "Environmentally, the more people we can get off the roads, the better off we'll be."
However, it will be years before such a system is completed, says Dennis Rainier, Director of Murfreesboro Parks and Recreation.
"There are several things that need to happen before that will come into fruition," Rainier said. The process of developing plans, taking bids and ultimately construction means new greenways in Murfreesboro will likely take years to complete.
The funds are part of a $1.8 million package passed by Congress to fund ecosystem restoration and protection here.
Gordon said his desire to preserve green space in Murfreesboro stems from his upbringing on a farm here. When he was elected to Congress in the mid 80s, "We were going through a real growth spurt," he said.
"I was seeing green space that was getting away from us," Gordon said. However, "It's expensive to buy large portions of land here." Gordon's solution is something he calls a "linear park," better known as a greenway - a woodland path for pedestrians and cyclists.
Gordon hopes the greenways can be used for transportation as well as recreation. They're part of an effort to create alternative means of transportation in the area, which also includes a growing bus network.
Eventually, Gordon intends to equip buses here with mounts for bicycles, so cyclists can ride to and from bus stops. "Smart buses" will also feature wireless Internet, so riders can surf the Web via laptop while they commute.
Gordon's ultimate goal is to provide a variety of public transportation options. "It has to work as a system altogether," he said. "I want to see mass transportation all through Middle Tennessee, with MTSU being a destination in that system."
"I think we are the second largest metropolitan area in the South" without mass public transportation, he said. "Environmentally, the more people we can get off the roads, the better off we'll be."
However, it will be years before such a system is completed, says Dennis Rainier, Director of Murfreesboro Parks and Recreation.
"There are several things that need to happen before that will come into fruition," Rainier said. The process of developing plans, taking bids and ultimately construction means new greenways in Murfreesboro will likely take years to complete.
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