Updates

What a difference a few months can make!

Earlier this year, we celebrated when the Harrisburg Town Council unanimously approved extending the Back Creek Greenway to Raging Ridge Road. Today, we’re excited to celebrate something even better: the connection is now open!

This new section creates an important link for our community, making it easier and safer for residents to access the greenway. Hickory Ridge students walking from Camellia Gardens now have an improved route, and walkers, runners, and cyclists have another convenient access point to enjoy one of Harrisburg’s most beautiful greenways.

We also want to recognize the Town of Harrisburg for the remarkable speed with which this project was completed. From approval to opening, the Town moved quickly to turn plans into reality. Their commitment to improving our greenways and pedestrian infrastructure is making a tangible difference for residents every day.

What’s next: a pedestrian crosswalk, which will further improve safety, is also planned for the crossing to HRHS.

We invite you to visit the newest section of Back Creek Greenway and celebrate this exciting milestone with us.

See you on the trail!

We’re excited to announce the launch of our Junior Explorers program, designed for kids ages 10 and under who are curious to discover all that Harrisburg’s greenways have to offer!

As part of our mission to connect the community with our local greenways, this program encourages families to spend time outdoors, fosters environmental stewardship in young children, and increases awareness of our beautiful greenways.

Becoming a Greenway Ambassador

Kids can participate by completing a series of fun outdoor challenges on the trails. Activities include spotting landmarks, sketching wildlife, and picking up litter. Upon completing the challenges, participants will be deputized as official Greenway Ambassadors!

Earn Rewards

Each Greenway Ambassador will receive a Friends of Harrisburg Greenways Safari Hat and a Certificate of Achievement. In addition, Greenway Ambassadors will be eligible for a free kids cup of ice cream courtesy of Rocky River Coffee and 10% off each visit thereafter when wearing a Jr. Explorer Safari Hat.

Ready to get outside and explore? Check out all the details including how to submit your competed challenges on our Junior Explorers page.

The Davis Creek Greenway extension is now open, adding 950 linear feet to Harrisburg’s greenway network! Completed as part of the Cambridge Drive extension project, this new segment brings connectivity to more than 100 additional households near Town Center. Note: the two sections of Davis Creek Greenway will be connected by a future project.

We’re encouraged by the continued investment in greenway infrastructure and excited for what comes next.

Since the first gathering of Friends in May 2025 we’ve:

• Mapped Harrisburg’s greenway system & published interactive online maps.
• Hosted two fundraisers with local businesses.
• Coordinated 4 litter sweep events.
• Received recognition as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
• Partnered with the Friends of the Harrisburg Library on our inaugural Story Walk.
• Published a Grant Playbook for town staff and Landowner Legacy Guide.
• Organized support for the Rail Trail crossing with connectivity to Harrisburg Park.
• Engaged over 450 new followers on social media.

We are so grateful to be part of such an amazing community. Thank you for all the support in our first year 🙌

Town Council has unanimously approved bringing Back Creek Greenway to Raging Ridge Road! This connection is essential for Hickory Ridge students walking from Camellia Gardens and for athletes who will now have ready access to the greenway for training. The project also includes a pedestrian crossing for improved safety.

Our volunteers were on hand at the Run the Burg 5k and Health Expo to hear your ideas, answer questions, and introduce new families to the growing greenway network in our town. Thank you to everyone who stopped by our booth. We loved seeing you!

Cub scouts from Pack 83 and employees from Credit Karma volunteered to clean up the Back Creek Greenway, Fuda Creek Greenway, and the Mallard Creek Connector in Founders Reserve during Earth Week. Together, we logged over 90 volunteer-hours towards litter pickup! Thank you to our amazing volunteers for making a difference in our community!

Friends of Harrisburg Greenways is proud to announce that it has received a grant award from Target to support our community outreach and programming efforts.

The grant funding will help us expand opportunities for residents and families to connect with local greenways through initiatives that encourage outdoor activity and stewardship of our shared natural environment. We are incredibly grateful to Target for investing in our community and supporting our mission. Next time you’re at Target, know that your patronage helps support us!

We’re excited to share some great news for Harrisburg and our growing greenway network: the new Back Creek Greenway trailhead at The Burg Church is now open! This trailhead features a newly completed stretch of greenway along with a public parking area, making it easier than ever for residents and visitors to enjoy the beautiful Back Creek Greenway.

This segment is planned to connect into the Hickory Ridge Sidewalk Project, and over time will grow east to west across Harrisburg, creating a continuous, town-wide corridor for walking, biking, and enjoying the outdoors.

Please join us in celebrating this important step forward. We encourage everyone to stop by, explore the new trail, and see firsthand how Harrisburg’s greenway vision continues to take shape.

Thank you to our volunteers who helped clean up the Back Creek Greenway behind Hickory Ridge Middle School! Let’s all do our part to continue to keep our shared spaces clean and inviting 🙌

This Giving Tuesday, help us continue our mission to promote the use and construction of greenways for everyone to enjoy. Your contribution directly supports our programs to ensure a greener, healthier community.

Why Donate to Friends of Harrisburg Greenways?

Harrisburg is growing quickly; and with that growth comes a rare opportunity to shape the kind of community we want to live in. Friends of Harrisburg Greenways exists to ensure that as our town expands, we don’t lose what makes it special. We work to protect and enhance the natural spaces, trails, and green corridors that connect neighbors, promote outdoor activity, and preserve the environment for generations to come.

But it doesn’t happen on its own.

Your donation supports building outdoor spaces where families can explore, relax, and learn. Each contribution, no matter the size, strengthens our ability to advocate for thoughtful protection of the natural resources and connectivity that defines our community.

Every dollar helps to champion:

• A healthier environment
• Safe, accessible places to walk, bike, and play
• Preserved natural spaces amid rapid development
• A future Harrisburg that balances progress with conservation

If you believe that greenways, trails, and natural spaces make our town a better place to live, then your support truly matters. Together, we can invest in a greener future!

Friends of Harrisburg Greenways is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. All donations are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.

Join Friends of Harrisburg Greenways at Cookie Co. on Friday, October 10, 2025 for Cookies for a Cause!

All day long, a portion of sales will go toward supporting our efforts to expand and improve Harrisburg’s greenway and trail system — helping connect our community to nature, recreation, and one another.

Here’s how you can help:
🍪 Stop by Cookie Co located next to Publix anytime on Friday, October 10
🍪 Treat yourself (and maybe a friend) to your favorite cookies
🍪 Know that every bite helps make a difference!

See you there!

The Back Creek Greenway has now been reopened following WSACC upgrades (ahead of schedule!)

We had a great turnout for our Finding Your Wild program with Harrisburg Library’s Miss Amanda on the Fuda Creek Greenway! This event was brought to you thanks to the generous support of Friends of the Harrisburg Library.

Journey into a world of discovery at the Finding Your Wild Story Walk. Begin your expedition on the Fuda Creek Greenway behind the Churchill Farms Clubhouse. GPS directions: 8257 Breton Way.

Two ways to explore:

• Take a self-guided adventure on the greenway any time between sunrise and sunset September 15-30.
• Join Harrisburg Children’s Librarian, Miss Amanda, for an interactive guided tour on Tuesday, September 16th at 10:30am. Meet at the trailhead on Breton Way.

Be sure to share your photos with us on social media!

Brought to you in partnership with Friends of the Harrisburg Library.

Look for the blue sign:

We’re excited to share some very positive news: earlier this week Town Council unanimously approved two signature greenway projects that will bring our community closer together and closer to nature!

→ Harrisburg Rail Trail – Design is moving forward on a 1-mile trail linking Caldwell Rd. to Harrisburg Park, including a safe railroad crossing near the new YMCA.

→ Back Creek Greenway Trailhead – A new trailhead + 660 feet of additional multi-use pathway will extend the existing Back Creek Greenway and connect to The Burg Church parking area.

Thank you to the many supporters who came out to share their enthusiasm for greenways. These projects mark important steps toward a more connected, walkable, and bike-friendly Harrisburg. Friends of Harrisburg Greenways is proud to support this progress and we’re grateful for the Town’s continued investment in our future. Let’s keep the momentum going—together we can build a greener, healthier Harrisburg!

🌭🍦 Craving hot dogs and ice cream? Join us Saturday, September 6, 2025 from 4–8 PM for tasty eats and sweet treats at Chill Dogs, a local Harrisburg favorite! A portion of every sale supports Friends of Harrisburg Greenways. Come enjoy and bring the entire family!

We’re proud to share that Friends of Harrisburg Greenways has officially been recognized by the IRS as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization! 🎉

What does this mean?
→ Your donations are now tax-deductible
→ We can pursue more grants and funding opportunities
→ Every dollar goes further in supporting trails, greenways, and outdoor spaces right here in Harrisburg

This recognition is a big milestone, and it sets the stage for even greater impact in our community. Thank you to everyone who has supported us so far. We couldn’t do this without you.

Here’s to more trails, more connections, and more reasons to get outside!

Last week Town Council took a major step forward by approving a construction contract for the Davis Creek Greenway connecting to Cambridge Drive. The long-anticipated project brings an additional 950’ section of greenway and also includes extending Cambridge Drive into Town Center. These improvements will link over 100 additional homes to Harrisburg’s expanding network of trails and outdoor spaces, providing residents with safe, walkable access to nature, recreation, and businesses in Town Center. The new and existing sections will be connected in a future phase. This project is estimated to be complete by July 2026.

The greenway addition reflects a commitment to a more inviting, healthier, and better-connected Harrisburg.

Friends of Harrisburg Greenways is celebrating the beautiful paths that connect our community to nature. Whether you’re out for a jog, taking the dog on a walk, or just enjoying the fresh air—thank you for supporting local greenways.

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