University of West Georgia
IN-1: Innovation 1

In June 2013, the University of West Georgia as agent of the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia entered into a site license agreement for construction of 1.6 miles of the Carrollton Greenbelt on university land. This site license was the culmination of a year of collaboration between the University, the Board of Regents, the City of Carrollton, and the The Friends of Carrollton Greenbelt (managed by the West Georgia Foundation). Friends of Carrollton GreenBelt is a member-driven, grassroots organization striving to create an environmentally sensitive trail system in Carrollton while promoting health, fitness, and livability by integrating transportation with recreation. The Carrollton GreenBelt is a 16-mile trail system designed for pedestrians and non-motorized uses. Once it is complete, the trail will connect existing neighborhoods with the city school campus, the University of West Georgia, the city parks, and several commercial shopping areas. The Carrollton GreenBelt is the largest green-space and green-way conservation project that the City of Carrollton has undertaken. Once complete, it will also be the largest paved loop trail system in the state of Georgia. Through innovation and collaboration, the University of West Georgia is the first public institution of Higher Education in the state of Georgia to be the host to such a facility. The Carrollton GreenBelt serves the university and community in several capacities. Primarily, it serves as a recreational opportunity. Given the planned, strategic location of the trail, UWG's students, faculty, staff and the community at large can also utilize the trail as an alternative to vehicular travel. As a public way, the GreenBelt provides public access and engagement to the natural beauty of UWG's campus, and is a living example of sustainable policies and practices related to land use, conservation, health, and wellness. With an increase in population and sedentary lifestyles, the GreenBelt provides an opportunity to integrate recreation with transportation, combating several negative health trends impacting Carrollton and reducing carbon emissions by providing multi-mode transportation to key community destinations. The 1.6 mile UWG segment of the GreenBelt was completed in the summer of 2014. The University is continuing its collaboration with the City, Friends of Carrollton, and community members to connect the GreenBelt on campus to key local destinations. As this is accomplished in the coming years, the full potential of the GreenBelt as a multi-mode transportation corridor will be realized. In addition, UWG is exploring a bike share program to promote alternative modes of transportation to promote the GreenBelt and further reduce carbon emissions.

Greenbelt Use: Through observation and periodic surveys, UWG will measure the number of students, faculty, and staff who utilize the GreenBelt. Carbon Emissions: The University will benchmark current bicycle use for transportation to the community, and will collect data annually to determine the impact of increased bicycle use on our carbon footprint. Land Use and Conservation: The GreenBelt has effectively conserved 7.75 acres of land, much of it in natural growth areas and flood plains. This has been accomplished with minimal environmental impact with best practices in the preservation of the natural terrain, drainage, and vegetation. Canopy Preservation: Consistent with the University's canopy preservation standard, The University and the City of Carrollton have agreed to replace major tree canopy lost on a caliper-inch basis. For example, loss of an 15" caliper tree would be replaced with three 5" native species or five 3" native species. Community Engagement and Education: Through observation and surveys, we will seek to measure community participation (weekly headcount) on the GreenBelt.