McAlpine Update

Getting back to running on the McAlpine Greenway was really nice this morning. Without looking back at my running log, a year must have passed since my feet last touched the dirt paths which make up this part of the Mecklenburg County Parks and Rec greenway system.

Seeing the changes was even better. The back side of the hill was much nicer. No longer do runners and walkers dodge gullies created by summer storms.

Add to it, the remains of the hill that came from making the lake at McAlpine are gone. Nothing but a combination of grass and mud for runners spread across now at the XC races. Once a good bed grass takes hold, this is going to be an awesome place to run.

Not to mention, the cement sewer lines are now buried. No more runners going around them in races.

Other changes include new bridges and paving. The old wooden bridge along with the two dip down cement bridges have been replaced with nice new cement bridges crossing the streams.  With the Parks & Rec crew replacing the bridge connecting Old Bell section with the XC course, they just made this quarter mile stretch even faster.

They are still working on stretch between the XC course and Old Bell. This continues to be dirt for now but they are in the process of paving it. This was always a great place to run intervals but soon it may well be one the best sections for running intervals in Charlotte.

Overall, the Parks and Rec guys get a thumbs-up for their efforts from me.

 

 

 

 Enjoying the dirt,

The Cool Down Runner