Projects involving the addition of trails and bike paths in the city, including a possible extension of the Emily B. Taylor Greenway, were discussed Wednesday by the Mount Airy Parks and Recreation Commission.

Those plans were partly triggered by the city’s recent long-term leasing of a 1.5-acre site at Veterans Memorial Park, where officials hope to develop a “mini-park” with playground equipment, restrooms and other facilities. That location adjoins the existing greenway that stretches more than two miles from Worth to West Lebanon streets.

Discussion of what the next steps will be toward making the mini-park a reality led to a proposal Wednesday for also extending the greenway as part of overall plans to improve recreational offerings in that section of town.

Under the plan, the greenway would be lengthened for about another half-mile on the north side of West Lebanon Street toward Mount Airy Country Club. Property rights-of-ways are already in hand and access routes have been established for much of the targeted route, based on Wednesday’s discussion.

“I make a motion that we look into it at least,” Angela Stroup of the parks and recreation group said of the plan.

Commission members subsequently gave their unanimous approval for exploring the northern greenway extension as part of the general improvements in the West Lebanon Street area, including the mini-park on the veterans’ property.

Extending the greenway, which would require tunneling under West Lebanon Street, would increase accessibility to one of the more popular recreational outlets in Mount Airy, officials say. “You don’t pass by there without seeing someone on the greenway,” Mayor Jack Loftis said at Wednesday’s meeting.

Funding is an issue, however, due to a tight city budget. Loftis has mentioned that grants will be sought to make the mini-park a reality along with community donations and support from local businesses.

A similar route could be taken for the greenway extension, another official said Wednesday. City Parks and Recreation Director Catrina Alexander pointed out that grants might be available through the state’s Clean Water Management Trust Fund for the work at the greenway, which runs along Lovills Creek.

As for the mini-park on the veterans property that recently was leased, which borders the existing greenway and fronts West Lebanon Street, it’s a project that can start small, the mayor said.

“Certain things we can begin with a minimum of expenditure,” Loftis added. “We can immediately if we want to.” But that doesn’t mean crews will be out with a backhoe next week to start digging, he said.

“It’s got so much potential,” Loftis said.

He praised recent overall efforts by the governing board of Veterans Memorial Park to improve accessibility to its grounds, mentioning another project in the works to convert an old house on the property into a center for disabled veterans.

“They’re looking for some ways to utilize that property,” the mayor said.

Bike Paths In Store?

On a related matter, commission member Nancy Dixon suggested that more bike paths, or lanes, be developed to give local residents a safe, cheaper transportation option other than conventional vehicles.

“I think it became apparent when gas was $4 a gallon,” Dixon said of the concept that would allow more people to ride bikes to work or school. “You would think in a small town, it would be something that could be done.”

Alexander, the parks and recreation director, said that exploring such improvements are part of recent initiatives being undertaken by Mount Airy through state programs. This includes seeking to renew its designation as one of eight “FIT communities” in North Carolina and pursuing school sidewalk construction under a “Safe Routes to School” program.

“That would truly make us a FIT community, if we could bike or walk to work,” Dixon agreed.

Along with the exercise factor, safety is another consideration, according to Dixon, who said that dangers are posed to bicycle riders along certain roadways in Mount Airy. She compared cycling on them to having to “run the rapids.”

The project envisioned would provide special bike lanes alongside roads to allow safer passage.

Alexander said that recreational officials initially will try to explore the idea by determining if planning grants might be available for the project.

New Trail Sought

Also at Wednesday’s Parks and Recreation Commission meeting, it was announced that a grant is being sought to develop a walking trail at Graham Park, a ballfield facility on the grounds of the old Jones School.

Since the site in northern Mount Airy actually is owned by the county government, Surry’s recreation director is submitting the $5,000 grant request to the North Carolina Adopt-A-Trail program. If successful, no local matching funds will be required, according to Darren Lewis, the city’s assistant recreation director.

The half-mile trail basically would loop around the ballfield area at Graham Park, where city Little League baseball and softball teams play. It would be a convenient facility where parents of Little-Leaguers could exercise when games are scheduled, Lewis said.

Some clearing work would be required, which will be done in-house by parks and recreation staff members, he said.

Contact Tom Joyce at tjoyce@mtairynews.com or at 719-1924.