Many runners use the Greenough corridor and we should be planning for that use. •
The Greenough path, plus the Herter paths on the other side of the Charles, form a safe 5K loop for runners because no streets have to be crossed.
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Nearly 6,000 runners used the loop during organized races in 2013, according to a local website, Coolrunning.com. During the summer, several hundred runners use the path every day.
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Runners have improvised running tracks by creating narrow dirt paths adjacent to paved paths. This demonstrates a clear preference for a softer running surface.
Existing impromptu dirt path parallel to paved path in Greenough corridor •
DCR’s “Connectivity Study,” a plan for open spaces along the Charles, urged a 10’ wide paved path with a parallel soft-surface trail or shoulder for runners where possible
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Soft surfaces have benefits for runners: “…the off-road impact is significantly easier on your body.” Fraioli, Mario, The Importance of Varying Your Running Surface, Competitor Magazine, Nov. 19, 2013.
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Planning for a new Greenough multi-use corridor should include the long-term goal of a soft-surface path parallel to and integrated with the hard-surface path.
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Phasing of paths may be necessary because construction funds are limited. Money might be saved by beginning implementation with grading for both hard and soft surfaces paths.
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See the many other projects WalkBoston is working on for runners, at WalkBoston.org/running
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