Downtown Greenway Concludes Planned Transition to City Stewardship

Following the successful completion of the Downtown Greenway's four-mile loop in May, management and oversight of the project have officially transitioned to the City of Greensboro, marking the next chapter in the greenway's evolution as a long-term community asset.

This transition was anticipated from the beginning of the public-private partnership between Action Greensboro and the City of Greensboro that brought the Downtown Greenway from concept to reality over the past 25 years. With the capital project now complete, day-to-day management, operations, maintenance, programming, and future planning efforts will continue under City leadership.

As part of this final transition, Downtown Greenway Project Manager Dabney Sanders of Action Greensboro will conclude her service with the Downtown Greenway on Tuesday, June 30, following nearly two decades of leadership and dedication.

"Completing the Greensboro Downtown Greenway is both a professional milestone and a deeply personal one," said Sanders. "Since 2007, I have had the privilege of working alongside visionary community leaders, dedicated staff, elected officials, generous donors, and countless residents who believed in this project from the very beginning. What started as an ambitious idea has become a transformative public space that connects neighborhoods, celebrates Greensboro's natural and cultural assets, and will serve our community for generations to come."

"Dabney's leadership, persistence, and commitment have been instrumental in transforming a community vision into reality," said Cecelia Thompson, executive director of Action Greensboro. "We are deeply grateful for her years of service and for the extraordinary partnership between Action Greensboro and the City of Greensboro that made the Downtown Greenway possible."

The Downtown Greenway will remain a public space for all residents and visitors to enjoy. Maintenance, community programming, events, volunteer opportunities, and public engagement efforts will continue under the leadership of the Greensboro Parks and Recreation Department. Additional support and oversight will continue to involve City departments including Transportation, Water Resources, Engineering & Inspections, and others as needed.

While the four-mile loop is now complete, the work of activating, maintaining, and caring for the Downtown Greenway will continue. Community members who wish to support the greenway's long-term sustainability may contribute toward free community programming or the maintenance endowment at downtowngreenway.org/donate.

"The Downtown Greenway has become an important part of Greensboro's identity and quality of life," said Phil Fleischmann, director of Greensboro Parks and Recreation. "We are grateful to Dabney Sanders, Action Greensboro, and the many partners who helped bring this vision to life. Greensboro Parks and Recreation is honored to continue serving as a steward of this remarkable community asset and looks forward to ensuring it remains a vibrant, welcoming, and well-maintained destination for future generations to enjoy."

For information about the Downtown Greenway, upcoming programs and events, volunteer opportunities, or partnership inquiries, visit downtowngreenway.org or contact Chelsea Phipps, Greenway & Gardens Program Coordinator with Greensboro Parks and Recreation, at [email protected].