As an extension of the city's plan to extend trail networks within and surrounding the city, Woodstock's greenprint aimed to improve community health and expand the city's green infrastructure by creating a comprehensive trail and greenspace network.
Led by a committee with diverse representation of public and private interests, the greenprint defined areas in which community needs were greatest for natural assets such as city parks or trails, as well as land of high value for conservation and wildlife connectivity. The greenprints proposed network offers a detailed view of future trails, and a somewhat vague vision of new greenspace.
The report offers two categories of proposed network improvements, greenspace and connectivity, and within each describes in detail the highest priority parks and trails. Finally, the report offers funding options for future land acquisition and network maintenance.
Year Published: 2008
State: Georgia
Landscape Context: Inland
Housing Density: Suburban
Funding Type: Public
Organizations Involved:
Ecos Environmental Design, City of Woodstock
Values:
Water Quality, Floodplains/Flood Prevention, Open Space/Habitat, Recreation, Historic/Cultural Sites, Air Quality, Biodiversity
Stakeholder Involvement:
Stakeholders were involved; stakeholder groups were invited to participate on the Greenprint Committee and help guide the planning process. Other citizens and stakeholders were involved through public meetings and surveys, as well as an updated website.
Planning Process:
The Greenprint Committee led the project and was composed of representatives from local agencies, businesses, and nonprofits. The team first reviewed existing city plans and inventoried green infrastructure, determined potential economic and environmental benefits of the greenprint project, collected relevant spatial data, established goals and supporting criteria, finalized the greenprint, and developed steps towards its implementation.
Desired Outcomes:
Improve water and air quality, improve community health and recreation, improve connectivity for wildlife and residents, protect natural and cultural resources, and most broadly, create an expansive trail and green space network.
What It Accomplished:
Plan awarded 'Best Planning Document' by Georgia Planning Association & 'Best Greenspace Plan' by Georgia Urban Forestry Council. Greenprints Alliance (a local nonprofit) was born out of this initiative and has since successfully lobbied for public funds towards parks and trails outlined in the greenprint. Interactive trail and park maps are found on the Greenprints Alliance website.