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Morgantown Council backs Greenbelt resolution after public comments urging connectivity and safety
Summary
Following public comments from residents and neighborhood groups, Morgantown City Council unanimously passed a resolution supporting the creation of a Morgantown Greenbelt, a connected network of green routes and trails intended to improve non‑motorized access across the city.
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — The Morgantown City Council on March 4 voted unanimously to support the establishment of a Morgantown Greenbelt, a community‑led proposal to connect existing parks, trails and neighborhood routes to improve walking and biking access across the city.
The resolution, presented to council by city staff, expresses support for the greenbelt concept and asks the city to work with community partners on feasibility and implementation while clarifying the resolution does not commit immediate city funding. Council members emphasized the need to pursue the project collaboratively with neighborhood associations, the Morgantown Planning Organization (MPO), and property owners.
Why this matters: Supporters told council a greenbelt could increase safe, non‑motorized travel across neighborhoods, boost recreation and tourism, and help reduce vehicle trips. Several neighborhood groups and the Board of Parks and Recreation, identified in the meeting packet as Beau Park, had already voted to support the concept.
Public comments and advocates
- Mark Bridal, a Morgantown resident at 734 Courtney Avenue, urged support for a greenbelt, saying it would improve physical and mental health, reduce car trips and support local economic development.
- A representative of the Green Mountain Neighborhood Association spoke in support and said the association conditionally backs the greenbelt “provided its approach with care and collaboration between all parties involved.”
- Joan Elstra, a First Ward resident on Hess Street, said a greenbelt would increase connectivity to the rails‑to‑trails corridor and improve pedestrian and cyclist safety where sidewalks are missing.
Council and staff comments
Ryan, a city attorney present at the meeting, and other council members noted the Morgantown Planning Organization has agreed to study the proposal’s feasibility. Council members thanked advocates and noted that supporting the resolution is an early step that would enable joint planning and applications for funding with regional partners.
Resolution details and limits
The resolution text read into the record describes local and national examples of green belts, lists public‑health, economic and transportation benefits, and records votes of support from local bodies (the Board of Parks and Recreation and the Morgantown Green Team). It also states the city “commits to seeking and providing the necessary funding and logistical and technical support” to advance the greenbelt but council clarified at the meeting that the resolution itself does not create a binding appropriation or immediate financial obligation.
Next steps
Staff and council members said the Morgantown MPO will take on a feasibility study and that the city will work with neighborhood groups, MUB and other stakeholders to map potential routes and identify funding sources. Council directed staff to treat the resolution as a signal of support for coordinated planning rather than an immediate spending instruction.
Ending
The resolution passed 5–0. Supporters and council members expressed hope the greenbelt could increase safe, non‑motorized mobility across Morgantown and connect neighborhoods to existing trails and park assets.
