Downtown Greenway Set to Host Speaker Series

The Downtown Greenway will host a four-part speakers series designed to celebrate the grand opening of the Downtown Greenway. The first session will be held from 5:30-7 pm on Thursday, March 26, at the Yvonne J. Johnson Event Center at Barber Park, 1502 Barber Park Dr., in celebration of Women's History Month.

The panel discussion will feature six women who have played key roles in the development of the Downtown Greenway, and will be moderated by Downtown Greenway Project Manager Dabney Sanders. Panelists will share insights about their work that has informed the Downtown Greenway and helped ensure its success. Featured panelists include:

Dawn Chaney: Owner, Chaney Properties

Hanna Cockburn: Director, Greensboro Department of Transportation

Nasha McCray: Assistant City Manager, City of Greensboro

Natalie Pass-Miller: Owner, Historic Magnolia House

Barbara Peck: Public Art Consultant, Downtown Greenway

Susan Schwartz: Executive Director, The Cemala Foundation

Other sessions of the speaker series will include:

Thursday, May 7 | 5:30-7 pm | Greensboro History Museum

This event will feature Dennis Markatos-Soriano, executive director of the East Coast Greenway. Markatos-Soriano will talk about the value of bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure, and the importance of the Downtown Greenway within this larger system. Markatos-Soriano has served as executive director of the East Coast Greenway since 2009. He, and a staff of 16, work alongside volunteers, partners, and elected officials to complete the 3,000-mile Maine-to-Florida greenway and promote its use.

Tuesday, September | 8:30-10 am | Transform GSO by Thrive

This event will feature Brian Leary, executive vice president and chief operating officer of Highwoods Properties, and former executive director and chief executive officer of the Atlanta Beltline. Leary will share insights about trail-oriented development and the benefits to both developers and the community.

Thursday, October 22 | 5:30-7 pm | Weatherspoon Art Museum

This event will feature Thomas Sayre, an American sculptor and painter based in Raleigh - in conversation with Dr. Emily Stamey, curator of academic programming and head of exhibitions at the Weatherspoon Art Museum. Sayre designs and builds public art projects all over the world. His iconic piece, "Cairn's Course," is located on the Downtown Greenway's Western Branch, and he will share insights into the value of public art and how it builds community.