Property Value
A 2006 study showed that in Massachusetts, homes near rail-trails sold closer to the listing price and more quickly than those that were not nearby. In Apex, North Carolina, 40 homes adjacent to the regional greenway sold for $5,000 more than others, and were the first to sell. In a 2003 report, Indianapolis homes near a greenway trail sold for 11% more on average than others. In Boulder, 32% higher.
Economic Boost
A report prepared by Parks & Trails New York concludes the walking and biking residents, regional neighbors, and tourists will patronize restaurants and other business located near the trailway.
Nearby restaurants and bars include:
- The Grapevine
- Boulevard Family Restaurant
- Black Forest Adler
- Anderson’s Frozen Custard
- Lebro’s
- Bocce Club Pizza
- Koi Sushi
- Wok 28
- Schnitzel & Co.
- Grovers
- The Rock Kitchen And Bar
Health and Wellness
An improved trail will allow persons of all abilities an opportunity for recreation and enjoyment of on foot, project that will benefit town residents, businesses and our regional by opening inclusive access to green-space, improving health and wellbeing and increasing community connectivity.
The Rails to Trails Conservancy cites a North Carolina State University study conducted to gauge potential use of a trail in Cary, North Carolina, found that 72 percent of respondents indicated it was likely the trail would provide a place for them to exercise, and 57 percent said they likely would exercise more if the trail were created.
Also cited is The Indiana Trails Study, in which over 70% of users on six different trails in Indiana reported they were getting more exercise as a direct result of the trail. (“Benefits of Trails: Health and Wellness” Retrieved July, 2022.)
A study discussed in Ecopsychology: How Immersion in Nature Benefits Your Health, published by the Yale School of the Environment, shows that spending time in nature can reduce stress:
It can lower blood pressure and stress hormone levels, reduce nervous system arousal, enhance immune system function, increase self-esteem, reduce anxiety, and improve mood. Attention Deficit Disorder and aggression lessen in natural environments, which also help speed the rate of healing.
White, M.P., Alcock, I., Grellier, J. et al. Spending at least 120 minutes a week in nature is associated with good health and wellbeing. Sci Rep 9, 7730 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-44097-3
A Yale University Study found that exercise and time spent in nature may be even better for mental health than exercising indoors. 75% believe that trails contribute significantly to the well-being of a community. 46% say they now consider trails and open spaces to be important, whereas 37% considered trails to be important before the pandemic. 78% said it is very important to have access to places to walk and bike that are completely separated from vehicle traffic.
Regional Connectivity
The five-mile section of what was the Canandaigua-Niagara Falls Railroad is town-owned and managed property that reaches from Transit Road (just south of Casey) on the east to the Ellicott Creek Path on the west at Dodge and North Forest. Completing the Amherst section of the trail will connect miles of trailways through Clarence (where the Peanut Line has been improved) and points east as far as Akron/Newstead and the Canalway Trail beyond. On the west the trail will connect to the miles of safe, paved trails in the Tonawandas, Niagara Falls and Buffalo.
Safe and Environmentally Friendly Commuting
Commuting by foot or bicycle along an improved and protected trailway provides zero-emission transportation to schools, including Williamsville North and the UB Amherst Campus, places of worship, and athletic fields.
A Legacy for Future Generations
Real estate data from The Business Council of New York State, Inc. shows that people want to live near trailways, and are drawn to modern municipalities that embrace them. Improving this trail now will add to Amherst’s sustainable growth and prosperity.
Common Myths Debunked
Crime and Vandalism Safety in Numbers
Crime rates per capita are no different along pathways than they are in other areas of a town. Police presence and the use of smartphones and bicycle cameras have increased safety in these areas. A report prepared by Los Angeles County shows that the city of Vancouver found that crime rates are not affected by bike routes, as bicyclists, like automobile drivers, are headed to a specific destination and not likely to linger in any one spot.
Loss of Privacy Connected Communities
The Peanut Line is a publicly owned and maintained path currently used for walking, jogging, cross country skiing, and even biking along the grassy terrain. Improving the trailway will facilitate the quick passage of users along the trail. Fences or shrubs are always an option and have already been installed by neighbors who wish to increase privacy.
Drainage Concerns Improvements Planned
Several properties along the trail tie into sewer and drainage infrastructure that traverse the old rail bed. Compared to years past, the surrounding neighborhoods are now substantially developed, solutions are understood, and fall under the domain of town engineers.
High Cost Value
The trail is already maintained by taxpayer supported Town workers. Long-term maintenance costs of an improved trail would be minimally impacted.
I look forward to having access to a path that makes commuting across Amherst and other regions easy and accessible. This will lead to increased health benefits for my family and the community.
Jaime Maerten, Amherst Resident