Austin Metro
Trails & Greenways
P.O. Box 685106
Austin, Texas 78768

Trail & greenway facts

What is a Greenway?

Greenways, often with their associated hiking or multi-use trails, are ribbons of undeveloped land. In rural areas, greenways are often in the form of wide corridors and associated open space. In urban areas, greenways may be only a thirty-foot right-of-way with a developed hike and bike trail. In "Greenways for America", Charles Little categorizes five types of greenways; Urban Riverside Greenways, Recreation Greenways, Ecologically significant natural corridors, scenic and historic routes, and comprehensive networks.

In the Austin area, we have examples of the first three types of greenways. The Town Lake Hike and Bike Trail is an urban waterfront trail, the Barton Creek Greenbelt represents a path of relatively long distance for recreational use, and the Bull Creek corridor is an example of a greenway valued for its significant natural features.

What are the Benefits of Greenways?

Greenways serve as the lungs and kidneys of our cities, cleansing the air we breathe and water we drink. Greenways offer recreational opportunities, which because of their linear nature, are directly accessible to more people than traditional parks. Greenways also provide car-free transportation routes for cyclists and walkers.

General Potential Benefits of Greenways:

Flood and Erosion Control
Resource Protection
Safety
Community Enhancement
Open Space Protection
Recreation
Transportation
Tourism and Economic Benefits