Carolina Tarwheels

In the early 1970s, Raleigh's business community opposed restrictions on development, but after Crabtree Valley Mall opened and experienced recurrent floods, they realized it was not in their best interest to develop flood-prone areas along streams and rivers. City planners recognized the importance of preserving these areas not only for storm-water runoff and sewer lines, but also for water quality, wildlife, parks, recreation, and transportation. Vic Lebsock was the chief Greenway planner for the city of Raleigh for 25 years. In that time he implemented a farsighted plan that recently included 34 miles of new trail along the Neuse River in north Raleigh. There are now 115 miles of bike trails in Raleigh, and along with the American Tobacco Trail, the Triangle section of the East Coast Greenway is 94% complete for 72 miles from Durham to Clayton.