Progress on the first phase of the Irish Buffalo Creek Greenway continues. This first phase is 2.7 miles and will run along a utility easement from Orphanage Road to Rogers Lake Road. The greenway will be ten feet wide and paved. It is expected to be completed in later this summer.
Earlier this week three pedestrian bridges arrived. The rustic steel and wood bridges will be installed along the portions of the greenway which cross portions of the creek.
The public will be able to access the greenway at three locations: Oakwood Avenue (across from the Lantern Green and Stonewyck neighborhood), Vietnam Veterans Park and Rogers Lake Road. Vehicle parking will only be available at Vietnam Veterans Park. The neighborhoods of Newman Manor and Kellswater Bridge will be able to easily access the greenway.
Future phases include Rogers Lake Road to NC 3 (Safrit Park) and from NC 3 to Bakers Creek Greenway. When additional phases of the greenway are finished the Irish Buffalo Creek Greenway will be a total of 7.5 miles and eventually will cross under I-85 and connect to Concord's greenway system. This greenway is also a key component of the Carolina Thread Trail, a 15-county initiative to provide greenway connectivity to key attractions, destinations, and population centers in the Charlotte region.
Greenways were the most requested recreational amenity for residents of Kannapolis when surveyed for the Parks and Recreation Master Plan.
The greenway will cost $4.85 million to construct. The City received a federal grant for $3.1 million and $551,230 from the developers of Kellswater, which will cover most of the costs, leaving the City’s contribution to the project at $1.2 million.
