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S EnviroAtlas
Lesson Plan
\

people 4 health 6 nature 4 economy
www.epa.gov/enviroatlas
Building a Green way: A Case Study
A Case Study that makes students the decision-makers in a hypothetical planning scenario.
These materials are part of EPA Report #EPA/6oo/R-i6/oo6.
Kev Words/Vocabulary (all vocabulary can be found at the end in a Glossary)

active transportation alternative transportation
biodiversity
buffering
case study community cohesion
conservation
connectivity
ecosystem services greenspaces
greenway
habitat
health outcomes inbreeding
mitigation

neighborhood connectivity
patch (habitat)
preservation
public hearing restoration
siting
social capital
sustainability plan urbanization
vector borne diseases

Case Study Synopsis
In this hypothetical case study, funding to complete a pilot section of a greenway has been
granted to a city Parks and Recreation Department. The proposed pilot section is being
presented to the city council for review and approval. The section proposal was drafted by
the Parks and Recreation Department and was selected to meet the goals of the
Department. They used a number of maps from EnviroAtlas, a web-based decision support
tool, to help them determine their pilot section; these are included in the proposal. The
Parks and Recreation Department goals include the following:
¦	Improve access to and use of parks and green spaces,
¦	Enhance habitat for biota,
¦	Encourage physical activity and recreational opportunities, particularly for aging
populations.
As a concerned citizen, you are asked to review the case and weigh in on the selection of a
pilot section for the greenway at an upcoming public hearing. For the hearing, you must be
prepared to support your stance on whether the proposed pilot section is the best option. If
the instructor assigns you a particular role, form your stance based on the assigned role.
Introduction, EnviroAtlas
EnviroAtlas is a collection of interactive tools and resources that allows people to explore
the many benefits people receive from nature (e.g., clean water), often referred to as
ecosystem services. Though critically important to human well-being, ecosystem services are
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often overlooked. Using EnviroAtlas, many types of users can access, view, and analyze
diverse information to better understand how various decisions can affect an array of
ecological and human health outcomes. EnviroAtlas is intended to be used by a wide range
of audiences, including planners, educators, students, researchers, and decision-makers
from all levels of government.
In this case study, the Parks and Recreation Department used multiple maps from the
EnviroAtlas interactive map to make the case for their chosen pilot section. Visit the website
at http://www.epa.gov/enviroatlas.
Canton Greenway Case Study
The Canton Parks and Recreation Department recently received an EPA Sustainability grant
to implement the creation of the Canton Greenway, a network of trails connecting
destinations in the city, which was proposed in the Canton 2025 Sustainability Plan. The
overarching goals of the Sustainability Plan are to support equal access to resources,
conservation of open space, and economic development. The major access points to the
greenway have been predefined and the network of trails will connect these points (Figure
1). While the grant money received is not enough to complete the greenway in its entirety, it
is enough to complete a pilot section. The Parks and Recreation Department has developed,
and is ready to submit, a proposal for the location of a pilot section of the greenway for
approval at an upcoming city council meeting. As an active member of the community, you
need to review the proposal and decide whether you support or oppose the selected
location of the proposed pilot section.
"Conserved land in the form of linear greenways has the potential to connect habitats and
protect sensitive natural features while simultaneously providing a setting for recreational
or utilitarian physical activity and the alleviation of psychological and social stressors."
(Coutts, 2010, p 10)
Greenways first came into use in the U.S. in the 1800's in the form of linear parks and open
space in urban areas (Flink, C.A., 1993). Providing routes for movement is the defining
feature of a greenway (Seams, R.M., 1995). While originally implementation of greenways
focused on aesthetics and beautification (Seams, R.M., 1995), the greenway approach has
evolved to be more multi-purpose to meet infrastructure needs for alternative
transportation and water management, provide resources for outdoor education, address
habitat needs for wildlife, and provide hazard mitigation and buffering services (Flink,
C.A.1993; Seams R.M., 1995). Greenways provide a number of benefits including health
promotion, economic incentives, and landscape preservation. Greenways are more than just
parks; they represent an opportunity to provide balance in the provision of ecosystem
services and the public demands for the use of such services.
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Image 1: Greenway in Atlanta, GA. Photo credit: Riley Perszyk.
Green areas have been shown to have a number of benefits including positive health
outcomes stemming from the provision of ecosystem services. These green areas can
provide places for recreation and engagement with nature, as well as filter air and water
pollution, while minimizing impacts from natural hazards such as floods and heat waves.
Through services like these, greenways have the potential to impact a number of health
outcomes including obesity, birth outcomes, mental health and longevity (Jackson L.E. et al.,
2013). Increasing neighborhood connectivity and access to destinations can have a positive
impact on active transportation, such as bike commuting, and aid people in achieving
recommended physical activity targets. A recent study on the potential benefits of a
greenway development in Ireland demonstrated that increasing physical activity rates by 10%
could have a significant impact on preventing incidence of diseases like heart disease and
type 2 diabetes in populations near a greenway (Dallat M.A.T., et al, 2013).
Implementing greenway systems also aids in the preservation and restoration of natural
ecosystems. Greenways have the potential for both urban and rural land conservation as
well the promotion of habitat connectivity and biodiversity. The fragmentation of habitats
has become a significant issue for many species. As development and urbanization take
place, habitats that were once expansive and linked are decreasing in natch size and
connectivity, causing negative impacts ranging from decreased genetic diversity and
increased inbreeding to increased transmission of vector borne diseases (i.e. the spread of
Lyme Disease via ticks). Maintaining and creating connections among core habitat areas
with natural corridors are critical for retaining biodiversity. Greenways can serve not only as
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habitat themselves, but also as corridors that can link habitat patches of various sizes and
improve species mobility across areas.
Despite the many benefits, the costs associated with the construction and maintenance of
greenways can be significant. Land costs, infrastructure, and safety features all impact the
bottom line. However, as an amenity, park systems have the potential to add value in a
number of ways including: property value, tourism, direct use, health, community cohesion.
clean water, and clean air. Multiple studies have shown that greenways can have a positive
or neutral impact on property values, with most of the positive value being captured within
500 -2,000 ft of the greenway (Nicholls, S. and Crompton, J.L., 2005; Campbell, H.S. Jr. and
Munroe, J.K., 2007; and Lindsey, G., 2004). Property values and associated tax revenue serve
as a motivator for commercial, residential, and recreational siting within a community. While
not considered income like property or sales tax revenue, factors such as social capital.
health promotion, and environmental buffering can result in savings for both communities
and individuals.
Scenario Overview
Canton is a mid-sized urban city in the United States. As of the most recent U.S. Census,
approximately 300,000 people live within the city boundary and the population has been
slowly, but steadily declining since the mid-1960's. The majority of residents identify as white
(43%) or Hispanic (39%) and 32% of those over the age of 25 have at least a Bachelor's degree.
The population is gradually aging with a 5% increase from the last U.S. Census for those
identified as being over 70 years of age. Canton is known throughout the region for its
cultural and performing arts center, architectural design, and Green State College. The city
has a number of parks and green spaces, particularly near the rivers and lakes.
As a part of the city planning cycle, a 2025 Sustainability Plan was developed and approved in
2010. Multiple city departments and offices played a role in the plan's development,
including the Mayor's Office, the Economic Development Department, the Office of Planning
and Community Development, and the Parks and Recreation Department. Upon the
completion of a sustainability assessment in 2009, the city developed a series of goals to
guide the planning process toward balancing development and conservation. Based on this
assessment and identified goals, Canton's primary areas of interest in the 2025 Sustainability
Plan became land use planning and design, economic development, and community health
and wellness. Within each of these areas, a number of priorities were established (Table 1).
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TABLE 1: Canton 2025 Sustainability Plan Areas of Interest and Priorities (adapted from
ICLEI Sustainability Planning Toolkit)
Land Use Planning
and Design
¦	Zone to promote mixed-use land uses
¦	Review City policy and planning framework to ensure that City
infrastructure and development planning is centered more on
pedestrian and active transportation
¦	Reduce greenhouse gas emissions
¦	Reduce ecological footprint (focus on reducing consumption and
waste)
Economic
Development
¦	Strengthen City - Community Partnerships with business,
academic and non-profit sectors
¦	Partner with community-based business development
organizations to focus on business skills development and
training for artists, young people, and newcomers
¦	Meet with developers and the community to discuss and remedy
any potential barriers which would discourage the reuse and
reclamation of existing buildings and/or brownfield sites
Community Health
and Wellness
¦	Increase accessibility to services
¦	Work in partnership with community based organizations to
develop community gardens
¦	Ensure community safety and security
¦	Improve health and well-being through active lifestyles
While the completion of the Canton Greenway is part of the 2025 Sustainability Plan, it has
been difficult to gain approval for funding and maintenance in the city's annual budget.
Some parties feel that the Greenway is not worth the time and financial investment as its
completion is anticipated to take the better part of a decade. Others support the concept of
developing a Greenway but challenge the idea that existing funds should be used to support
the project.
In hopes of creating momentum, the Parks and Recreation Department was able to secure a
small grant to begin work on a pilot section of the planned greenway network. The
entrances for the greenway network have already been chosen based on land parcels that
are already owned by the city (Figure 1). Given the locations of these access points, a pilot
section proposal in line with the amount of funds awarded has been drafted.
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Because of time constraints on the grant, a decision must be made quickly and a special city
council meeting has been declared. A public hearing for the proposal is scheduled for 7 days
prior to this city council meeting to gather community feedback on the selected pilot
section.
As an active member in your community, you plan to attend the hearing and have reviewed
available materials to inform your opinion of the proposed pilot section of the Greenway.
Questions from the Reading
Use information from the case study text to answer the following questions on a separate
sheet of paper or to be submitted virtually (check with your instructor):
1.	What are overarching goals of the Canton Sustainability Plan?
2.	What are some benefits/services provided by green spaces?
3.	How are greenways important for preserving natural ecosystems?
The Proposal - Canton Greenway Pilot Section
There are five major access points to the greenway that have been predefined. The
completed network of trails will connect these points. The pilot section of the greenway
could run between any of these points. However, because of their interests and concerns, as
well as available funds, the Parks and Recreation Department has chosen a trail route that
runs between points 1 and 4 to be the pilot section (Figure 1).
When selecting the pilot route from trail heads 1 to 4, the Parks and Recreation Department
was most concerned with improving access to parks (Figure 3) and improving the
connectivity of existing habitat patches (Figure 4). They used maps from EnviroAtlas to
develop a proposal for the pilot section that addressed their concerns.
Review the attached map set, which contains the maps the Parks and Recreation
Department used to make their case. Answer the worksheet questions and consider the
maps from the point of view of the Parks and Recreation Department.
¦	Why is each map important to making the case for the Parks and Recreation
Department?
¦	If you were assigned a different role, consider the maps from your assigned point of
view.
o Do these maps help make your case as well? How?
o What other information do you need to support your point of view?
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Student Task—complete this after completing the "Understanding Maps" worksheet
The public hearing to discuss the proposed pilot section of the Greenway is rapidly approaching.
Your primary objective is to ensure that the pilot section of the greenway is completed in the best
location. In preparation for the meeting, you identify the most important issue(s) in selecting a site,
review the proposal materials, formulate an opinion on whether you support the proposed site, and
defend your decision using the available information.
Figure 1. Proposed trail network area in Canton
Figure 1 shows the proposed trail network area with numbered trail heads. The pilot route proposed by the Parks and
Recreation Department runs from trail head 1 to 4. In this aerial image, waterbodies were identified and appear in light blue,
with streams in dark blue.
When considering the case study and the pilot section proposal, keep the following
questions in mind:
¦	What is the situation? What issues are at stake?
*	What is the context of the problem? What are the underlying assumptions of the case?
¦	What key facts should you consider?
*	What questions do you have?
¦	What criteria should you use when selecting a route?
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¦	What alternatives are available? What are the pros and cons of each alternative?
¦	What other information, including maps, would be useful to have in making your decision?
The Public Hearing
Now that you are at the hearing, you must present your argument for the chosen route (based on
your assigned role). Draft a short paragraph addressing the following questions:
¦	What route would you recommend — and why?
¦	What maps support your selection? How?
¦	What were your primary considerations when selecting your route?
¦	Are there other routes that you would be willing to consider based on your research?
Group Decision
If you were assigned to a group, each group member should report back on the four questions that
are above. Once each group member has presented their rationale for their chosen route, you must
attempt to get the group to agree on one route to put forth for the pilot section.
¦	Were you able to collectively decide on the most favorable route? If no, why not?
¦	Do you agree with the original pilot section route the Parks and Recreation Department
chose? If not, which route did you collectively decide was preferable?
¦	What were the main factors in your decision?
¦	What information would have been useful to have available to help make this final decision?
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APPENDIX: EnviroAtlas, Building A Greenway: Case Study
Glossary
These materials are part of EPA Report #EPA/6oo/R-i6/oo6.
Appendix I: Glossary
Active Transportation: Any form of human-powered transportation - such as walking,
cycling, using a wheelchair, in-line skating or skateboarding.
Alternative Transportation: Alternative Transportation promotes and encourages the use of
alternative modes of transportation (e.g., bicycling, walking, vanpooling, carpooling, riding
transit) to get to, from, and around destinations instead of a single occupancy vehicle.
Biodiversity: The variability among living organisms (plants, animals, genetics, habitats)
from terrestrial, marine and other aquatic ecosystems, and the ecological complexes of
which they are part.
Buffering: Occurs when streamside vegetation filters stormwater and protects stream
banks
Case Study: An in-depth examination of a particular situation. It is a method used to focus a
very broad field of research on one easily researchable topic.
Community Cohesion: Community cohesion (also called social capital and neighboring)
refers to the quantity and quality of interactions among people in a community, as indicated
by the degree residents know and care about their neighbors and participate in community
activities (Cochrun 1994; LGA 2004; CASE)
Conservation: preservation, protection, or restoration of the natural environment, natural
ecosystems, vegetation, and wildlife. Conservation activities include examination,
documentation, treatment, and preventive care, supported by research and education.
Connectivity: Connectivity represents the pattern of core areas of potential habitat or cover
that allow the movement of organisms across an intact or fragmented landscape.
Landscapes with high connectivity allow species to move freely among core areas, while
landscapes with low connectivity tend to isolate species within scattered patches of habitat.
Ecosystem Services: Outputs of natural ecological functions or processes that directly or
indirectly contribute to human welfare, or have the potential to do so in the future (Boyd
and Banzhaf, 2007).
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Glossary
Greenspaces: EnviroAtlas defines green space as all vegetated land, including agriculture,
lawns, forests, wetlands, and gardens. Barren land, water, and impervious surfaces such as
concrete and asphalt are excluded.
Greenway: A greenway is a long, narrow piece of land, where vegetation is encouraged, and
is managed for public recreation and active transportation.
Habitat: The home or environment of a plant, animal, or other organism
Health Outcomes: A health outcome is a change in health, or lack of, following some factor
or treatment. In the study of ecosystem services, this typically refers to environment-related
changes in human health.
Inbreeding: Breeding with close genetic relatives over generations
Impervious: Impervious surfaces are that which do not allow fluid (water) to pass through
them; examples include concrete and asphalt.
Mitigation: A human intervention to reduce negative impacts on the climate system;
examples include strategies to reduce greenhouse gas sources and emissions restoring
coastal wetlands to dampen storm surge.
Neighborhood Connectivity: Neighborhood connectivity refers to the relative ease and
directness of getting from one place to another (e.g. from home to school) by road, path, or
trail. One way to measure urban connectivity is with the density of street intersections.
Patch (habitat): Refers to an area of distinct habitat type that has a definite shape and is
used by species for breeding or survival. The size of a given patch is typically an important
consideration when determining habitat quality
Preservation: The protection of cultural property and natural lands through activities that
minimize chemical and physical deterioration and damage and that prevent loss of
informational content. The primary goal of preservation is to prolong existence.
Public Hearing: A meeting for receiving testimony from the public at-large on a local issue,
or proposed government action. Testimony from both sides of an issue is usually recorded
for public record and a report summarizing the key points is generated. All levels of
government hold public hearings - from city on up to the national level. Hearings may also be
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APPENDIX: EnviroAtlas, Building A Greenway: Case Study
Glossary
less formal - they may or may not be sponsored by a government body - and may not require
that individuals from multiple sides of an issue get time to speak.
Restoration: Return of an ecosystem to a close approximation of its presumed condition
prior to disturbance.
Siting: Determining where to position or locate a particular structure.
Social Capital: The sum of social interactions with other humans and connections within a
social network; the idea that social networks have value.
Sustainability Plan: A common framework to guide efforts in improving the social equity,
environmental, and economic conditions in a government jurisdiction. A sustainability plan
ties together a community's goals, strategies, implementation plans, and metrics for
improving sustainability.
Urbanization: The concentration of development in relatively small areas (cities and
suburbs). The U.S. Census Bureau defines "urban" as referring to areas with more than 1.5
people per acre.
Vector Borne Diseases: Bacterial and viral diseases that are transmitted by a vector, typically
mosquitoes, ticks and fleas.
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APPEN DIX: EnviroAtlas, Building A Greenway: Case Study
Bibliography
Appendix II: Bibliography
Campbell, HS Jrand Munroe, DK. 2007.Greenways and greenbacks:Theimpact of the
Catawba RegionalTrail on property values in Charlotte,North Carolina.Southeastern
Geographer.47(i):n8-i37. DOI: 10.1353Zsgo.2007.0002
http://muse.jhu.edu/iournals/southeastern geographer/summary/
vo 47/4 7.1 cam p be II .htm I
Coutts,C.2010.Green InfrastructureandPublicHealth in the Florida Communities Trust
PublicLand Acquisition Program.Planning,Practice& Research25(4):439-459.
http://diginole.lib.fsu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=ioo7&context=durp faculty publicati
ons
Dallat, M. A.T., Soerjomataram, I., Hunter, R. F.,Tully, M.A., Cairns, K. J.,&Kee, F.2013.
Urbangreenways havethepotentialto increase physical activity levelscost-effectively.
The European JournalofPublicHealth.doi:io.i093/eurpub/ckt035
http://eurpub.oxfordiournals.org/content/earlv/2Qi^/o^/26/eurpub.ckto^s.full.pdf+html
Flink,C.A. 1993.Th^great American greenway movement.CanadianWater Resources
Journal/Revuecanadiennedes ressources hydriques.i8(4):485-492. DOI:
10.4296/cwrji 804485
Harnik,P. & Welle, B. 2009. Measuringtheeconomic valueofa city park system.The Trust
for PublicLandiittp://www.tpl.org/measuring-economic-value-city-park-system
Hess, G.R.& Moorman,C. E. 2010.Greenways forWildlife: Homepage. North Carolina
State: Department of Forestly& Environmental Resources.
http://www4.ncsu.edu/~grhess/GreenwaysF0rWildlife/
JacksorLE, Daniel J,McCorkl®, SearsA, BuslKF. 20i3.Linkingecosystem services and
humanhealth:theEco-Health Relationship Browser. Int J PublicHealth.58(5):747-55.doi:
10.1007/S00038-013-0482-1. Epub 2013 Jul 23
http://link.springer.c0m/article/10.1 oo7%2Fsooo^8-oi>0482-i#page-i
Lee, C. andA.V. Moudon.2004. Physical Activity and Environment Researchin the Health
Field: Implications for Urbanand TransportationPlanningPracticeand Research. Journalof
Planning Literaturei9(2): 147-181 http://ipl.sagepub.eom/content/1q/2/147.short
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APPENDIX: EnviroAtlas, Building A Greenway: Case Study
Bibliography
Lindsey, G., Man, J., Payton, S. and Dickson, K. 2004. Property values, recreation values, and
urban greenways. Journal of Park and Recreation Administration. 22(3):69-90.
http://staff.washington.edu/kwolf/Archive/Classes/ESRM304.So c.Sc i A 0 4 % 2 0 So c.% 2 0 Sc i% 2 0 L a
b%20Articies/Lindsev 2004.pdf
Nicholls, Sand Crompton, JL. 2005. The impact of greenways on property values: Evidence
from Austin, Texas. Journal of Leisure Research. 37(3):321-341.
Sandt, L., Pullen-Seufert, N., LaJeunesse,S., &Gelinne, D. 2012. Leveragingthe health
benefits of active transportation: Creating an actionable agenda for transportation
professionals.TR News. No. 280. Pp.18.
http://onlinepubs.trb.org/onlinepubs/trnews/trnews280.pdf
Seams, R. M. 1995. The evolution of greenways as an adaptive urban landscapeform.
Landscape and Urban Planning.33 i-3):65-8o. ISSN 016Q-2046 http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/016c
2046CQ4)02014 7. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/0i6Q204604020i47
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