Impediments to Progress

Greenways projects are seeing great support in communities across the country, there  are so many benefits that support is generally considered a "no brainer". Local  support for our project is also overwhelming... so why then is the completion of the core project of the Prescott Greenways system considered to be an effort?

Private property.

In some States, all waterways belong to the public domain, and the establisment of a greenways system is a fairly straightforward process.  In Arizona, the land a creek flows over can be privately owned. The only way trails can be legally built across this property is with the owners permission, most usually granted in the form of an easement, and occaisionally the result of the gifting of the property to the park system or other conservation group.

If you live in Prescott, you can't help but be astounded by property values... and so it is not a stretch to understand that some property owners might be more than a little hesitent to give up any rights to their property... so it may seem amazing that we have had as much success as we have so far... but we have a lot to offer land owners for their help.

One of our cheif allies is Arizona's predictably unpredictable weather, and the chance our streams will occaisionally reach flood levels. This puts the land we seek for trails in areas considered unbuildable because they are considered floodplain. The nature of this land makes it hard for owners to maintain, and the possibility of trading off the responsibility for this unbuildable land in exchange for a reduced property tax bill - while still enjoying the buffer of the open space- will  be enough to encourage many property owners to come on board.

Meeting Concerns and Winning Partners

It is quite reasonable to expect property owners to have other concerns regarding having a greenways trail crossing or bordering their property. However, we are equipped to discuss these concerns, and believe we can convert most landowners to willing partners if they only give us the chance to ease their fears.

While each property owner will have specific concerns, many general concerns have been proven to be unfounded based on successful greenways projects accross the country, and as evidenced by our own fledgling system.

General concerns include:
Property Value. While a property owner may fear proximity to a greenways trail may negatively affect their property values, the opposite is more likely to hold true. Many new developments are incorporating greenways and they find they can carge a premium for adjoining lots, and  those lots often sell first.

Crime. Problems with crime are generally reduced in developed greenways, as these spaces are opened up to the good citizens of the community, and the unsavory activities of the undesireable element that frequent undeveloped corridors cannot exist under the public light. Furthermore, local police are grateful for the access the trails provide as they make the area easier to patrol.

Privacy. (see crime) Most landowners will realize that having their respectable neighbors using the trails for recreation and transportation is less of an intrusion on their privacy than having unsavory characters lurking or living in their bushes.

Liability. Arizona law provides relief to landowners from the liablility of trail users

Maintenance.

(etc. fill in more specifics to our project here)

The simple truth is, whether it is trespassing or not, property owners along these corridors will find people in their backyards. Who would you rather have, a neighbor lady who likes to get out for some exercise, and often stops to pick up some litter...Or a homeless camp surrounded by filth and litter?