Redefining Resilience & ROI: Why Modern Cities Must Invest in Greenways 

Do you dream of a community that’s not just surviving, but thriving? Imagine a place where your neighbors are more connected, businesses are booming, and the local spirit is stronger than ever. A place that’s not just resilient, but vibrant and where everyone – from long-time residents to new companies – is excited to be.

If you’re nodding along, then get ready: the answer to that dream is simpler and more powerful than you might think. It’s time to talk about greenways.

Maybe I am biased because I am about to embark on my next chapter as the CEO of Great Rivers Greenway, but the value of greenways has been a consistent and proven piece of wisdom throughout my public service career. Whether you are a CEO, civic champion, or just an invested community leader, I’m here to tell you that focusing on greenways is a home run for making your community better.

What are Greenways, Why Do They Matter, and Why Now? 

Greenways go by many names and can take many forms, but their impact is universally positive. Here in St. Louis, Missouri, our greenways are typically paved, accessible pathways. They’re designed to connect communities, weaving together conservation projects, public art, and essential amenities, with exciting destinations along the way.

But whether your community calls them sidewalk systems, hiking and biking trails, or simply pathways to push a loved one in a stroller or wheelchair, these are winning investments. They give people the quality of life they want and the choices for movement they deserve, making communities more vibrant and connected.

Greenways provide immediate benefits to those who use them, of course. These are dynamic, accessible places to exercise, explore, commute, enjoy nature, make memories with your family and get some fresh air. The conservation work along the way helps to beautify an area, increase biodiversity and reduce flooding, creating a healthier environment for all. But none of these benefits are new or revolutionary.

What has become increasingly apparent in the last decade are these three larger truths:

• People are prioritizing where to live and the lifestyle they want.
• Greenways are a catalyst for economic growth.
• Greenways are central to public health, civic engagement, and resilience.

People Value Lifestyle Above All 

The trend of people choosing where and how to live above where they work is well-worn territory studying the millennial generation. And yet, the COVID-19 pandemic served to further those trends. Alongside the immense tragedy came clarity. More people are prioritizing their quality of life, to the extent that they are moving to find it. The things they are looking for haven’t changed, but their dedication to them has, and cities would be wise to make critical decisions based on these values to be competitive. People want to be grounded in the things that matter most, have their basic needs met, have access to opportunity, and to be healthy, connected to their family and community, and find time for joy. Greenways alone cannot solve all these desires, but a thriving network of trails contributes to every single one of those categories.

Greenways As Catalysts For Growth 

Active transportation infrastructure contributes more than $34.1 billion to the U.S. economy annually. This infrastructure supports economic vitality in several ways:

• Community investment in the greenway itself creates jobs for landscape architects, planners, engineers, and contractors, providing immediate impact.
• Greenways boost local economies by directing foot traffic to businesses and cultural sites. Pedestrians can easily access stores and cafes without the hassle of traffic or parking, encouraging longer visits and spontaneous discoveries. Studies confirm that non-vehicular travel, even locally, leads to increased spending, ultimately generating more tax revenue for the community.
• Greenways often spur “trail-oriented development” along the way. Of note are areas in a community that might be undervalued, such as an interstate right of way or utility corridor that was previously underutilized.
• Greenways add 5-10% to the market value of nearby properties. We see it in our region all the time – more realtors and individual landlords are including greenway proximity and photos in property listings.

Our urban Brickline Greenway is projecting a 2:1 return on investment, from all of the factors above, as well as the environmental wins and the critical reduction in injuries and deaths from traffic violence with an increasingly-distracted driver population. The Katy Trail, an internationally-known statewide rails-to-trails project here in Missouri, sees an almost $30 million impact annually, and that’s through rural communities.

During my time as a City Administrator, I helped to bring to life 39 North, an AgTech Innovation District. In countless meetings, from local startups to international corporations, one question consistently emerged: “When will the Centennial Greenway be finished?” The proposed connection to this district is part of a long-standing plan, to be completed over the next few years. Often, these decision-makers weren’t only evaluating potential locations in St. Louis, but in North America or globally.

Greenways As Civic Necessities 

Greenways offer clear public health benefits—encouraging physical activity and providing transportation options beyond cars. But their impact goes much deeper. The trees along these trails improve air quality—especially for people with asthma—and help cool urban areas during increasingly hot summers. A paved greenway can mean the difference between a wheelchair user risking their safety in the street due to poor sidewalk conditions or having a safe, accessible path to reach a bus stop. Great Rivers Greenway regularly hears from residents who describe these greenways as lifelines for their physical, mental, and emotional well-being. These are not luxuries—they are essential infrastructure that supports daily life. In an era when community centers and “third places” (not work/school or home) are disappearing, greenways offer literal and symbolic common ground, fostering a sense of belonging and strengthening community connections.

People want to live in a place that engages them; the community-centric approach we use to bring greenways to life creates a sense of civic trust that can extend far beyond the greenway project. The civic pride that is developed by community members driving projects is what can make the St. Louis region feel like home. Our ribbon cuttings are joyful celebrations of collective accomplishments. Further still, re-knitting communities together, surfacing challenges and finding solutions along the routes pay dividends for years to come. These projects, and the processes by which they happen, create literal and figurative connections, build civic engagement muscles and cultivate community champions. Neighborhoods, nonprofits, agencies, neighboring towns, and businesses alike are stronger for having collaborated through the process of building a greenway. In addition to the incredible new assets for their residents and workforce, they’re well-positioned to handle the next challenge thrown their way, together.

Investing In Your City’s Future 

The people of the St. Louis region had the foresight to create a greenway system 25 years ago, so we are now 140 miles (and counting!) into our long-term vision of connecting three counties and 120 towns together. Since 2000, the average St. Louisan has invested less than 50 cents/month (under $6/year) in sales tax toward the network of greenways and parks to make the region even more vibrant, connected, resilient, and competitive. And we’re not the only ones. We’re proud to be partners in the High Line Network, a group of infrastructure reuse projects across the globe, so we can learn from and share with our peers as we navigate 21st century city-building (and re-building) together.

If you’re looking to ensure the long-term success of your city, greenways should be a key part of your agenda. One might argue that the best time to put this infrastructure in place was 100 years ago. They might be right. But without a doubt, the second-best time is right now.

Written by Mark Perkins.
Have you read?
Countries with the most gold reserves.
Best Countries to Hide Money.
Countries with the Highest Age Dependency Ratio.
Global Mobility and Wealth Security: Why Citizenship by Investment (CBI) and Residency by Investment (RBI) Programs Are Essential for Global Executives and High-Net-Worth Individuals.