Green Artery Continues Mapping Central Tampa's Bike and Walking Paths

Leave the car at home. That's the message of The Green Artery, a Central Tampa neighborhood-based project created to identify and connect the green spaces in Central Tampa. The group met in Wednesday evening.

“We want to encourage people to learn where these beautiful green spaces are,” said Myron Griffin, co-chair of the project. “We're looking at the bicyclist's point of view and the pedestrian's point of view.”

The group is creating a map of green areas in Central Tampa, including bike lanes, parks and trails. The area covered includes all of greater Seminole Heights, Tampa Heights, Ybor City, Channelside and downtown Tampa — 19 neighborhoods in all.

The project began in 2010 and meetings have been held in a different Central Tampa neighborhood each month. The map of green spaces is being developed in conjunction with city government. Karla Price, of the City of Tampa Parks and Recreation Department, has helped the group coordinate the network of trails.

“We have to look at this globally and holistically,” said Price. “We need input from everyone.”

This month's meeting was hosted by the Southeast Seminole Heights Civic Association. Ryan Horstman welcomed the group to Giddens Park.

“This is our signature green space in Southeast Seminole Heights,” said Horstman. “And our only green space.”

Neighborhood residents didn't need to be told to enjoy their green space. As the group met in the gazebo, kids played in the fountains and shot hoops on the basketball court. Before the meeting, attendees enjoyed a picnic supper catered by .

Price said that as the Green Artery meets in each neighborhood, they gather information from local residents about which bike paths they use, and where they'd like to see more. “We want to talk about the attributes and deficiencies of each path, to find what's best for everyone.”

Griffin said the group is working for bicycle safety and awareness. This includes encouraging the establishment of bicycle lanes and “sharrows.”

“Does everyone know what a 'sharrow' is?” asked Griffin during the meeting. “Good,” he said, when a few hands were raised. The term refers to road markings that indicate that bicycles are allowed the use of the full lane, and thus motorists must “share the road.”

The project is also working to get local artists involved, like Jeffrey DeBlasio, whose sculptures made from recycled metal graced the park during the meeting.

Another local artist, Marc De Waele, said that he hoped that public art would flourish in Central Tampa's green spaces.

“We need art in public places,” said De Waele.

The Green Artery has support from top city officials, including Mayor Bob Buckhorn, who will attend the August 31 meeting in downtown Tampa, hosted by the Downtown Partnership.

To get involved, visit the Green Artery website or email greenartery@gmail.com.