Greenways in cities are always nice to have, but they’re especially popular during pandemics when everyone likes to walk their dog – or just walk themselves – five or six times a day.
So, health-conscious High Point residents will be glad to know that the stretch of the High Point Greenway between North Centennial Street and University Parkway reopened on Saturday, Oct. 2, after being closed since mid-June.
The work took the popular section of Greenway out of commission for most of the summer, a time when people especially like to get outside. Earlier this year, when the Monday, June 14 closure was announced, city officials expected the section of Greenway to open back up in mid-August. It took a little extra time but, as they say, better late than never.
After the closure, there weren’t any alternate greenway routes through that key section of High Point, but other parts of the city’s five-mile Greenway remained open through the summer.
The city’s greenway – which can be accessed at Armstrong Park, Burnett Park and Piedmont Environmental Center – is a paved path that connects parks, High Point University and various natural areas. It was built to encourage city residents to get outside and get moving. Key benefits, according to city officials include “connectivity and access, health, economic impact and access to nature and environmental preservation.”
There’s a greenway trailhead with a parking lot at University Park on Deep River Road.
Those who wished to stroll on a city greenway during the summer had the option of using the High Point section of the Bicentennial Greenway, which runs from Penny Road to Gallimore Dairy Road.
There are other greenway changes coming: In mid-July, the High Point City Council approved a new “Greenway Master Plan” meant to preserve and expand the city’s greenway network.
