Downtown Greenway Year In Review 2025

2025 DOWNTOWN GREENWAY YEAR IN REVIEW

A MESSAGE FROM US

As we reflect on 2025, we are grateful for another year of growth, connection, and progress along the Downtown Greenway. This year has brought new energy as we reach closer to our shared vision of a more vibrant and connected Greensboro. We are excited to share a few highlights that made this year so special, with even more to come in 2026!

Chelsea Phipps Greenway & Gardens Program Coordinator

Dabney Sanders Downtown Greenway Project Manager

2025 BY THE NUMBERS

3,800+ participants

158 community partners

209 volunteers gave 413 hours

188 individual program offerings

150,000+ trail counts

STREAM RESTORATION Restoration of the College Branch Stream was completed, thanks to a grant from the NC Land & Water Fund, and a contract for future invasive species management was procured.

CONSTRUCTION

Significant progress was made on the future Western Branch section as work transitioned from underground utility work to fine grading, paving, fence installation, intersection improvements, and basic landscaping. The Downtown Greenway section along Murrow Boulevard and Fisher Avenue, crossing over Church Street, was completed following the replacement of the bridge. A memorial plaque for the late Eric Tart was installed in appreciation of his years of committed work on the project, and a dedication event was held on June 12.

PROGRAMMING

This year marked a milestone for our programming, with strong participation across a wide range of offerings. New programs included Urban Foraging, Introduction to American Sign Language, MythBusters: Recycling Edition, a Pumpkin Paint Party, Games Night, and Step-A-Way Line Dancing. This broad range of additional offerings was well-received, and the public showed tremendous enthusiasm for our engaging, hands-on experiences.

To highlight this year’s annual signature events, the 10 Annual Wheels on the Greenway drew record-breaking attendance, the 3 Annual Community Picnic once again brought neighbors together for a celebration of connection, and the 16th Annual Downtown Greenway Run & Block Party honored outgoing Mayor Nancy Vaughan for her leadership and lasting impact. Together, these moments reflect a year of momentum, resilience, and continued success in our programming. th rd

THANKS TO OUR PROGRAM SPONSORS Special thanks to our 2025 program sponsors, whose support and generosity allows us to offer free community programming to Greensboro residents and visitors year-round.

PUBLIC ART

Pete Beeman’s design for the “Market + Branch” commission (yet to be named) was revealed. This large-scale work will be installed at the SE corner of West Market Street and the Western Branch crossing. The 28-foot-tall stainless steel piece is a giant retro robot with a stylized honeybee on its head, depicting the intersection between technology and nature. The piece has lights and is kinetic, and a bicycle rack will accompany it.

Three decorative crosswalks will be located along the Western Branch section. Beka Butts, a local artist and Westerwood resident, will create a mural on Guilford Avenue to highlight the flora and fauna of the area with a nod to her Mexican heritage.

Students from Weaver Academy will design and install the other two crosswalk murals at the McGee and Cedar Street intersection. Three semi-finalists have been selected and the final design will be commissioned in early 2026.

COMMUNICATION HIGHLIGHTS

3,000+ Email Subscribers

24% Increase Facebook Followers

100% Increase Instagram Interactions

17,000+ Total Followers

In 2025, the Downtown Greenway gained strong visibility across local and regional platforms, with features in the Fox8 Buckley Report, Visit NC, NC Cycling, Downtown Greensboro Inc’s GSO35 Plan, and OurState Outdoors. The greenway was also prominently showcased as window graphics on Action Greensboro’s office, reinforcing its presence in the community. This momentum carried into digital channels, as noted with metrics above.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Spring Street Apartments were developed and opened this year. Leading up to their 10th anniversary in 2026, Joymongers has purchased the residential house between them and Deep Roots Market. Planning is underway for the brewery’s future use of that space. There are many additional sites ripe for development along the Downtown Greenway. We anticipate future development on those sites in the coming years that will add to the current $650+ million in private economic development that has happened to-date.

VOLUNTEERS

Thanks to the dedication of our valued 2025 volunteers, we had another productive year on the Downtown Greenway. We are especially grateful to our partners TriadWild! for helping keep our pollinator garden thriving, the Greensboro Permaculture Guild for guidance with our public orchard, and Water Resources for their collaborative work for storm drain marking on and around the greenway loop.

Our annual Downtown Greenway Volunteer Appreciation Social was held on January 29, 2025 with a lovely gathering at greenway neighbor, Machete.

TRANSITION With the anticipated May 2026 Grand Opening of the full four-mile loop, the City of Greensboro will assume all ownership and operations moving forward. The Downtown Greenway office within Action Greensboro will close and Dabney Sanders’s role as Project Manager will sadly be completed at the end of June 2026. Dabney reflected, “It is gratifying to see this project to its completion after 25 years in the making.” We extend our heartfelt thanks to Dabney for her 19 years of dedicated leadership as the Downtown Greenway Project Manager!

SAVE-THE-DATE

In 2026 the Downtown Greenway will feature new programs honoring the Black Patriots from the Battle of Guilford Courthouse, a women-centered panel, a Succulent Soiree, and a Greenway Glow Party - all alongside returning favorites like Urban Foraging, Yappy Hour, and Speed Friending. The month of May will feature celebratory events of all kinds!

Speaker Series: East Coast Greenway May 7, 2026

Grand Opening & Ribbon-Cutting May 16, 2026

11th Annual Wheels on the Greenway May 2, 2026

17th Annual Run & Block Party September 26, 2026

4th Annual Community Picnic October 17, 2026

Full Circle Gala May 29, 2026

LOOKING AHEAD We are thrilled to welcome Habitat Assessment and Restoration Professionals (HARP) to complete the final phase of Western Branch landscaping, bringing fresh plant diversity and native plantings to re-green the corridor. Along with site furnishings, street crossings, lighting, signage, and 10 new public art installations, these finishing touches will make the “Final Mile” complete and ready to enjoy in late Spring 2026.

DOWNTOWNGREENWAY.ORG @DOWNTOWNGREENWAY GREENSBORO, NC SEE YOU NEXT YEAR!