Ann Arborites are known to be environmentalists, which is one of the many reasons why Ann Arbor needs a greenway. The Allen Creek Greenway Conservancy proposed a greenway that would be an approximately three mile long park running through Ann Arbor, help the environment (Allen Creek) and promote the use of alternative modes of transportation by providing a safe place to run, bike and walk in Ann Arbor. The greenway would run adjacent to the train tracks, as opposed to many greenways that are “rail trails,” which were unused train tracks turned into multi-use trails. The greenway would also be above the underground Allen Creek. It would span from one end of the Border-to-Border trail at the Argo Cascades in the Huron River to State Street below the Stadium Bridge.

Some people may say that Ann Arbor already has enough parks, but a greenway would serve as more than a park. Following the greenway trail would make traversing across town on a bike or by foot easy. It would be a safe route for bicyclists and pedestrians that is separated from car traffic instead of having to cross and travel on busy streets. Once more people begin using the greenway, the congestion in the streets would be lowered.

The trail will run through 415 W. Washington, 721 N. Main Street and sites on First and William, which are all brownfields that will be cleaned up as part of the greenway project by the Allen Creek Greenway Conservancy to keep from runoff from contaminating Allen Creek.

Just down the road in Detroit, the abandoned railroad tracks that were once part of the Grand Trunk Western Railroad were transformed into a mile long greenway trail, the Dequindre Cut, from Eastern Market to the Detroit River in 2009. The Dequindre Cut has spurred biking in Detroit and has motivated groups of bicyclists to venture down to the area near the riverwalk and the greenway. It has also inspired local artists to paint murals along the path for the public to see. Due to how well used that it has become, an extension of the rail trail towards Hamtramck is already underway. 

The most well-known greenway is the High Line in New York City, which was opened in 2009, that was transformed from what used to be tracks for the New York Central Railroad. It is a mile and a half long stretch elevated above the streets and covered in greenery. It provided New Yorkers and tourists with a safe and pedestrian-friendly passageway through the west side of Manhattan.

The development of the Allen Creek Greenway would minimize car-and-pedestrian and car-and-bicyclist accidents, help to keep Allen Creek healthy, lower air pollution in the area, make rush hour less hectic and open a park across Ann Arbor.