The Mid-South Regional Greenprint plan now has buy-in from every jurisdiction touched by the massive project to build greenways, parks, bike trails, and more across the tri-state region.
The Greenprint plan was published last year after three year’s worth of work from 82 organizations from Shelby, Crittenden, DeSoto, and Fayette counties. Among many other things, the plan proposes nearly 500 miles of greenways to be built or connected in the Tennessee, Arkansas, and Missisippi counties.
Greenprint leaders have been garnering support for the plan from every legislative body the plan would touch. Leaders in Marion, Ark. approved the plan recently, giving Greenprint unanimous support in what leaders called a “an unprecedented demonstration of regional unity.”
“Regional leadership has taken a strong first step towards implementation of the plan through their adoptions,” Shelby County Mayor Mark Luttrell said in a statement. “We should promote the adopted vision by encouraging prioritization of Greenprint objectives and investment in our green space network.
“Residents of Shelby County want to live in vibrant and prosperous communities and our Greenprint is the plan that can make this a reality.”
Work on the Greenprint began with a $2.6 million grant won by Shelby County in 2011 from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to develop a long-term vision for the area’s green spaces, including parks, greenways, community gardens, storm water management, waterways, and more.
Greenprint served as the foundation of a new project to help protect communities here from flood damage in the future. That new project was supported with a second grant from HUD earlier this year, totaling $60.4 million.
“Just a year after its publication, the Greenprint has already proven its ability to dramatically impact our region for the better, by helping us attract resources needed to protect our citizens from future disasters, while providing the guidance to help us conserve important natural areas and improve public spaces,” said John Zeanah, Deputy Director of Planning in Memphis-Shelby County Division of Planning and Development. “Because the Greenprint is so comprehensive, all 22 jurisdictions will be able to use the plan to advance our region on a variety of fronts – everything from transportation to community development.”
Check out all the details about the plan here.
