For many people, a new greenway would be an obvious win. More outdoor space, more room to walk and bike, and more access to nature can all benefit a community.
In Florissant, Missouri, concern over the proposed Sunset Greenway escalated when a bulldozer cleared trees behind one homeowner's property.
According to Fox 2, nearby residents were worried the path would end up very close to their backyards, prompting questions about privacy, security, maintenance, and property values.
Here's what to know
Nathan Kinsey, a Florissant homeowner who said he has lived in his house for 17 years, told Fox 2 that he had no idea work was underway until he heard activity in the tree line behind his house.
"A tree fell on the common ground. And at 8 a.m., I hear a bulldozer out here tearing up wood line," Kinsey said.
He said the problem is not the greenway itself but how near the proposed route could be to existing houses. After talking with neighbors, Kinsey said 28 homes on one stretch may be directly affected.
TCD Picks » Quince Spotlight
💡These best-sellers from Quince deliver affordable, sustainable luxury for all
Emma Klues, vice president of communications and outreach for Great Rivers Greenway, told Fox 2 that questions about costs and maintenance are usually resolved later in the planning process with Great Rivers Greenway, landowners, or other partners.
Kinsey was concerned about privacy, security, maintenance, and whether the project could influence taxes or property values.
He also wants alternative routes on the table, including one closer to Bluff Parks Drive. He believes that option could offer more access to the greenway, per Fox 2.
What's being done?
An open house was scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Wednesday at the JFK Community Center, where the city of Florissant and Great River Greenways planned to gather public input.
Organizers said the meeting would feature updated information about the project and time for feedback. Klues encouraged people who live or work in Florissant to attend and share input on the Sunset Greenway extension.
"You would think that you could live here for 17 years and find out they're going to put something behind your house," Kinsey said, according to Fox 2.
Where can I learn more?
Questions about what happens along property lines can flare up when trees come down.
• One resident questioned whether local officials' "aggressive" tree pruning job left neighborhood trees healthy.
• A homeowner grew alarmed when a neighbor's dangerous landscaping setup began encroaching on the property line.
• After a nearby yard was cleared, one homeowner faced water pooling near the house.
Get TCD's free newsletters for easy tips, smart advice, and a chance to earn $5,000 toward home upgrades. To see more stories like this one, change your Google preferences here.
