Voters show strong support for trails from New England to Florida
Citizens from Massachusetts to Florida voted to support bond measures that will invest in the development of greenways, trails, parks and active transportation infrastructure — including future East Coast Greenway segments — in Tuesday’s midterm elections.
Bonds that could help shape the future of the Greenway passed in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Florida.
“I’m elated to see such strong support for trails and outdoor access. Up and down the East Coast Greenway corridor these public investments in health, environmental sustainability and economic growth will benefit the people of our communities for generations,” said East Coast Greenway Alliance Executive Director Dennis Markatos-Soriano. “Our team at the Alliance looks forward to connecting with all newly elected officials and working together to complete the Greenway from Maine to Florida.”
From north to south, the supportive ballot measures included:
Massachusetts
Statewide Question 6: The Protect Water and Nature Ballot Initiative, $100 million. A new Nature for All Fund could provide as much as $100 million annually to conserve and restore land and water and improve parks, trails, greenspaces and other outdoor recreation areas, without raising taxes.
Update: “Massachusetts voters have passed a measure to put aside some sales tax money for nature conservation. The ‘yes’ vote on Question 6 asks the state to use sales tax on recreational vehicles, sporting goods or and at golf courses to protect natural land and water,” according to WBUR.
Rhode Island
Statewide Question 5: Green Economy and Clean Energy Bonds, $55 million. The bonds include state park improvements, open-space conservation and $1 million for local recreation projects.
Update: Citizens voted to support “$55 million for climate resilience, environmental restoration and recreational improvements,” according to Rhode Island Current.
Pennsylvania
Delaware County: Water Quality, Natural Areas and Wildlife Habitat Protection Bond, $120 million. The funds would protect drinking water sources, rivers and creeks, wildlife habitat, trees that improve air quality and wetlands that prevent flooding. It would also fund greenways, parks, and natural areas threatened by development. This bond could help fund the remaining East Coast Greenway gaps in Delaware County, including connecting the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge into Tinicum Township along the Delaware River.
Update: “Delaware County residents have voted 3-to-1 in favor of the county’s referendum on environmental spending,” according to Patch.com.
Virginia
Spotsylvania County Transportation General Obligation Bond, $67.6 million. The bond would fund transportation projects, including shared-use paths, bicycle facilities — including the Tidewater Trail along the current East Coast Greenway route — and Safe Routes to School infrastructure.
Update: The Spotsylvania County transportation bond passed with 68.6% support, according to vpap.org.
North Carolina
Raleigh Transportation Bond, $101.5 million. The bond includes $40 million for adopted transportation plans, including the Big Jump Network — Raleigh’s five-year plan to build 50 miles of connected, high-comfort bike lanes to better connect schools, parks, neighborhoods and businesses. Funding also would support streets, sidewalks, bike lanes, greenways, bridges and transit infrastructure.
Update: The Raleigh Transportation Bond passed and will “fund roadway improvements and pedestrian infrastructure,” according to WUNC.
South Carolina
Charleston County Transportation Sales Tax: Continuation of existing 0.5% transportation sales tax expected to collect $4.25 billion over 25 years. The transportation sales tax includes $75 million in bicycle and pedestrian improvements in its $2.7 billion roadway program, plus $690 million for Greenbelt investments. The project list includes complete streets design considerations in all projects. South Carolina & Georgia Manager Jim Hemphill, who is based in Charleston, has played a key role in this initiative.
Update: “County voters overwhelmingly agreed to extend the half-cent transportation sales tax. The decision is expected to generate $4.25 billion to improve roads, address flooding, protect greenspace and develop mass transit,” according to The Post and Courier.
Beaufort County Transportation Sales Tax: A 1% transportation sales tax lasting nine years, funding dozens of road and safety projects countywide. Every project on the $780 million Beaufort County list will be designed using a Complete Streets approach, meaning people walking, biking and taking transit would be considered in the design of future projects. One of the priority projects is widening and construction of a shared-use pathway along South Carolina Highway 170, which is part of the East Coast Greenway and currently is in the midst of an East Coast Greenway feasibility study.
Update: “Beaufort County residents approve $780M penny tax for roads in historic referendum,” according to The Island Packet.
Florida
Palm Beach County: Parks, Sports, Recreational Facilities and Botanical Gardens to Be Financed by General Obligation Bonds, $280 million. Funds would modernize aging parks and recreation facilities and botanical gardens, expand and update sports complexes, increase public beach access and trail connectivity and develop new regional parks.
Update: “Palm Beach County voters approved three local ballot measures Tuesday, authorizing bonds for parks and libraries and renewing a property tax that supports public schools,” according to CBS 12.
St. Johns County Land Conservation Funding Referendum, $100 million. The measure would fund land acquisition, conservation and outdoor recreation access, potentially including new trails.
Update: “Voters in St. Johns County, with one of Florida’s fastest-growing populations, overwhelmingly supported a measure Tuesday that could raise taxes to protect more land from development,” according to Jax Today.
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