14
May
2021
Kannapolis Officially Opens Irish Buffalo Creek Greenway
2021
This first phase of the greenway is 2.7 miles and runs along a creek from Orphanage Road to Rogers Lake Road. The greenway is ten feet wide and paved and features three pedestrian bridges. The steel and wood bridges are installed along the portions of the greenway which cross portions of the creek.
“When surveyed, residents told us greenways were their number one request. This greenway successfully meets that desire. We hope everyone will get out and take a walk or run on this beautiful new asset for our residents,” commented Kannapolis Mayor Darrell Hinnant.
Vehicle parking for access to the greenway will only be available at Vietnam Veterans Park.
However, pedestrians will be able to access the greenway at these locations: Oakwood Avenue (across from the Lantern Green and Stonewyck neighborhoods), Vietnam Veterans Park and Rogers Lake Road. The neighborhoods of Newman Manor and Kellswater Bridge will also be able to easily access the greenway.
The City partnered with the Carolina Thread Trail and NCDOT on the greenway. “Our partners helped us bring this project to fruition. We appreciate their commitment to providing opportunities for people to exercise and enjoy nature. It has been great to see so many of our residents already on the greenway – even before we officially opened,” said Kannapolis Parks and Recreation Director Gary Mills.
This greenway is a key component of the Carolina Thread Trail, a 15-county initiative to provide greenway connectivity to key attractions, destinations, and population centers in the Charlotte region.
Future of the Irish Buffalo Creek Greenway phases include Rogers Lake Road to NC 3 (Safrit Park) and from NC 3 to Bakers Creek Park and Greenway. When additional phases of the greenway are finished, the Irish Buffalo Creek Greenway will total 7.5 miles, eventually crossing under I-85 and connecting to Concord’s greenway system and providing connectivity to downtown Kannapolis.