Young advocates speak up in Swampscott, Mass., for town funding to develop a rail trail, a future East Coast Greenway segment. Photo: Paula Muller, itemlive.com

The Big Picture: Impact and Promise

 

A sustainable solution for communities large and small.

The East Coast Greenway is a collaborative effort that has attracted more than $1 billion in public investment in its first 25 years. The dream of a 3,000-mile protected biking and walking route represents a commitment to public health, environmental sustainability, economic development, and civic engagement. Together, we are connecting people to nature and communities via a safe, accessible Greenway.

2019 Annual Report

“This is an exclamation point on a transformational decade,” says Dennis Markatos-Soriano, East Coast Greenway executive director. Learn more about a record-setting 2019 for our nonprofit.

2019 annual report cover

Investing in Our Future

The study, "Investing in Our Future: Quantifying the Impact of Completing the East Coast Greenway in the Delaware River Watershed" was prepared by NV5 and EConsult Solutions in March 2019. The report's key finding: Completing the East Coast Greenway in the Greater Philadelphia region would mean $3 billion in public health, environmental, and economic benefits.

screen shot 2019 04 09 at 3 16 10 pm

The Impact of Greenways in the Triangle

The East Coast Greenway Alliance commissioned a study in 2017 to put numbers on what we know to be true: Greenways are good for economic growth. Prepared by Alta Planning + Design and sponsored by GSK, the report finds that the East Coast Greenway generates $90 million in total benefits annually for the Triangle region, from gains in health and the environment to transportation and access benefits, economic gains, and increased property values.

screen shot 2017 10 02 at 2 17 12 pm

Growing Impact, Reach in Our 25th Year

Our 2017 Annual Report celebrates the progress we made in 2017, the 25th anniversary of the East Coast Greenway Alliance. Our annual report offers an overview of the year's accomplishments, a financial summary, and acknowledgement of our many generous partners and supporters. Also included is an insert report on our fall 2017 East Coast River Relay,  the largest program undertaken by the Alliance. The report spotlights some of the 200-plus partnerships forged during the River Relay and focuses on the  Greenway's impact on environment, climate change, health, and economic vitality.

screen shot 2018 03 30 at 1 03 49 pm

Connecting People to Place

Our 2016 Annual Report celebrates another remarkable year of achievements and the East Coast Greenway Alliance’s 25th anniversary. It's a tribute to the members, partners, volunteers, and more who keep the Greenway growing. State by state, meet people working to advance the Greenway and read about how leaders are embracing the East Coast Greenway’s promise.

annual report 2016 cover

Trails as 'top community amenity'

“Trails consistently remain the number one community amenity sought by prospective homeowners.” — National Association of Homebuilders (2008) in "Evidence of many varieties of economic benefits linked to trails "(2011)

After a nearly 3-mile walk/bike path was built as a part of the Ravenel bridge in Charleston, SC, local researchers surveyed users. Sixty-seven percent said that they exercise more since the opening of the path. This increase was even more pronounced for African Americans — 85 percent became more active thanks to [the path]. For a state with one of the highest obesity rates, this is big news.” — The Federal Investment in Bicycling: 10 Success Stories (2013)

Every 300 miles of new greenway infrastructure in North Carolina results in “economic stimulus from upfront construction of $174 M supporting 1,600 jobs" and increased tourism activity of $128 M supporting 1,600 jobs. —WalkBikeNC: North Carolina Statewide Pedestrian and Bicycle Plan (2013)

"Property values are 5-20 percent higher near trails." — Headwaters Economics

Headwaters Economics, a nonprofit research group, has compiled a searchable collection of studies on the positive impacts of trails, especially in small or medium-sized towns and rural areas. The library is searchable by type of benefit, use, year, and region.  Search Trail Benefits Library

biking in forsyth park 1024x683

Meet the East Coast Greenway

The work of the East Coast Greenway Alliance encourages people to develop active lifestyles, interact and make positive impacts on the environment, boost local economic development, and connect with communities. In this video produced by one of our partners, the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation, meet Executive Director Dennis Markatos-Soriano and learn a little more about our vision and impact.

Meet the East Coast Greenway Alliance

Stories of Impact

28 miami beach fl
January 14, 2020

2019 Greenway Designations

screen shot 2019 12 09 at 3 09 49 pm
December 10, 2019

Record funding accelerates Greenway growth at close of decade

5c12c44fb2396 image
November 7, 2019

Charleston lands $18M to build bike-walk bridge over Ashley River

Join the Greenway!

Your support helps to develop this ambitious, 3,000-mile route, Canada to Key West. Your membership gift builds more protected miles that we can all enjoy, today and for generations to come.