Bike paths contribute to an increased quality of life for communities in multiple ways. The greenway extension through Johnston would:

· Bring recreational riders into Johnston, providing an opportunity for them to hop off the bike path and see what your community offers.

· Provide an alternative to driving or taking the bus, both an environmental and physical benefit. Biking or walking to nearby destinations reduces fuel consumption and air pollution, while boosting health.

· Promote physical activity for both children and adults, and provide a scenic way to exercise. Greenways are a great place for families to spend a weekend afternoon, riding on the bikepath, and seeing their community from a different point of view!

· Preserve open space, and connect the existing bike path to the newly renovated Cricket Field, helping to highlight and improve a historic neighborhood in Johnston.

· Improve and provide easy access to the Woonasquatucket American Heritage River for Johnston residents. This new section will provide beautiful river vistas that are rarely seen along the corridor.

· Extending the greenway means increasing the protection of the river and its vast watershed, which is still recovering from widespread industrial pollution. Keeping riverside land as natural as possible helps protect against flood damage, reduces erosion, and supports native wildlife.

· Increase Johnston’s access to check out the over 40,000 herring that return to their spawning ground in Johnston’s ponds, and help us get closer to building a fish ladder adjacent to the bike path, which helps the fish swim upstream!

· Bring us closer to connecting the Woonasquatucket River Greenway with the Blackstone River Bikepath, providing a state wide greenway loop.

By signing this petition you are signaling to the Mayor of Johnston that expanding the bike path is a priority for Johnston residents and something they hope to see completed.