It would be wonderful if every community had access to a trail system but we all know that isn’t possible. But Forsyth County hit the mark with their planning of the Big Creek Greenway. Basically it’s a 12 foot wide path, concrete in some areas and boardwalk in others, that works it’s way along Big Creek in Forsyth County.
The first three phases of the Big Creek Greenway are planned to open in August 2009 and will run approximately 7 miles. Phase IV and V will not be started until 2010 and will take approximately 18 mos. to build out, but will give many communities easy access to the trail. These final two phases run approximately 8 miles, making the entire trail system 15 miles, providing a perfect setting for walking, jogging, inline roller blading, and biking.
With maps that don’t provide the level of detail I would like, my attempt is to describe the entire path and identify the communities along the way that might have easy access to the Greenway. Each community is a Home Search Link for anyone who may be interested in buying a home in a community that would give them easy access to the Greenway.
Phase I of the Big Creek Greenway in Forsyth County starts at McFarland Road just north of Shiloh Road. It’s path takes you along Big Creek just on the east side of Shephard’s Pond and just past the communities of Shiloh Battle and Shiloh Creek. The end of Phase I and second access point is at Fowler Park on Hwy 9, right next to the community of Longwood.
Phase II is a bit shorter, again running along Big Creek from Fowler Park, just south of the Oakmont Community and Dressage. Phase II ends with an access point on Majors Road just south of the Polo Fields Golf and Country Club.
Phase III, another short section, takes you around the Polo Fields Community and their golf course and ends at an access point just south of the entrance to the Coventry Community and just north of Big Creek Township and Forest Brooke on Bethelview Rd. This is the future location of Bethelview Park which is currently still being planned but will probably have easy access from those communities. Coventry has asked for a spur from the trail, giving those home owners direct access from their community.
Phase IV will continue along Big Creek west of Wade Valley and in between the communities of Barrett Downs and Castlebrooke. It travels just south of the Thorngate Community but a spur will be built going into the common area of Thorngate which gives this community their own access point – I think that is great – and ends just east of the entrance to Thorngate and west of the entrance to Sienna on Kelly Mill Rd.
