We hiked close to ten miles around Lake Brandt this afternoon. Lots of people biking and kayaking and dog-walking and such.
The extensive trail network is of course a terrible thing for Greensboro -- it's a shame to see public money poured into things the market disdains, but still, nice in its own way.
Thanks. It is indeed a long slog from Lake Brandt Road to Bur Mil Park and back. The market must have wanted it because it is definitely there and getting a lot of use.
Posted by: Fec | May 20, 2012 at 08:30 PM
"You take all the trees, put'em in a tree museum. And you charge the people a dollar and half just to see'em."
The market's alternative to our strange notion of a collective public interest.
What ever happened to Joanie Mitchell?
Posted by: Bill Yaner | May 20, 2012 at 08:35 PM
It's there because people got together and created the first leg by ask the City, can we. This leg went from the Marina to the RR tracks and up to Guilford Battleground. The RR section got lost in development until government stepped in using railbanking laws and negotiations with willing landowners to open the trail back up. This is how trails get done.
We also have clean air and water laws because people finally demanded that the government step in and clean up the results of market forces.
The invisible hand works well, but don't give it too much credit.
Posted by: Collards | May 21, 2012 at 07:01 AM
By "asking" the city, can we?
Posted by: Collards | May 21, 2012 at 07:03 AM
More on the magic of markets from this morning's N&R.
Posted by: Thomas | May 21, 2012 at 07:31 AM
Public/private partnership to provide great recreational opportunities -- what a concept.
Thomas, you beat me to it: "The city is not to be providing recreation to people; private businesses and companies will do that." So I guess we should go ahead and shut down the parks and soccer fields, or at least turn them over to for-profit companies?
Also, it's wrong to say the Coliseum has lost $20 million -- you have to balance operating costs against additional tax revenue generated to get the net cost of the facility to taxpayers.
Posted by: Ed Cone | May 21, 2012 at 07:53 AM
Ed, you are preaching to the deaf.
Posted by: Collards | May 21, 2012 at 11:12 AM
Reportedly appx 500 swimmers this weekend at GAC. Some (many even)were local. There were several from out of town as well.
But I was part of 40+ locals who went to Villa Rosa for dinner. So even locals tend to eat out at least some on meet weekends.
I am positive others hit Stameys, Subway, local grocers, etc now and again as well. Economic impact is real. Taxes generated by locals and visitors are real.
A few more meets in June and July yet to come.
Including City Meet which most likely is the biggest swim meet in NC each year regardless of what the Y Nats and Master Nats had to say!
Posted by: Mick | May 21, 2012 at 12:14 PM
@Mick, my friends from the Southern Pines region and others from Gibsonville (when I asked) told me they spent a total of $500+ this weekend in Greensboro, including buying gas here plus meals, frozen yogurt, ice cream, lodging, sports supplies and incidentals. Two families.
Posted by: Sue | May 21, 2012 at 12:52 PM
"it's wrong to say the Coliseum has lost $20 million
-- you have to balance operating costs against additional tax revenue generated
to get the net cost of the facility to taxpayers."
Minus the debt costs which the $20 million doesn't cover.
Posted by: Hartzman | May 21, 2012 at 01:22 PM
"they spent a total of $500+ this weekend in Greensboro,
including buying gas here plus meals, frozen yogurt,
ice cream, lodging, sports supplies and incidentals.
Two families."
Which means the numbers put out by the GACVB are garbage.
Posted by: Hartzman | May 21, 2012 at 01:24 PM
500+ swimmers (numerous times over), Meets hosted here by teams from Raleigh and Burlington as well as local clubs, multiple national events, multiple regional events, multiple high school px and meets, solid usage by locals, swim lessons, kayak safety lessons, diving team, two swim teams, water aerobics, water polo club, summer team pre-season lane rentals, birthday parties, etc also means the predictions of emptiness, few folks coming, fewer staying, yada yada ad nauseum made by some (including you I believe) were and are .... garbage.
Two national diving events coming back to back in August. Eastern Invitational Swim Meet expecting 700+ swimmers in June. Senior Sectionals ... a couple hundred swimmers in July.
The building is performing as advertised and then some.
I too would love to see better info and numbers. However, I also know that if the city actually paid to have an annual or semi regular Economic Impact study....
A: some would howl over the expense
B: some would howl over the numbers (no matter what they were)
C: some would do both
D: some would howl over who, what and when regarding said studies
E: In short, nothing would change.
I long ago have stopped trying to please those who will never be pleased. It is a waste of everybodies time.
Posted by: Mick | May 21, 2012 at 02:06 PM
@Mick: We have been taking private lessons for my son at the GAC. My son has some specific developmental challenges and we were able to find a skilled instructor at the GAC to help him try and learn to swim. We had little success after numerous lessons at the local YMCA over a couple of years.
We have been coming to town weekly for the lessons for a few months and normally go over to Five Guys or Macaroni Grill and then Toy and Co. before heading out of town.
As I have tweeted a few times from the GAC that place is spectacular!
Posted by: Account Deleted | May 21, 2012 at 03:18 PM