Methodology

The Greenways philosophy, methodology, and standards were introduced and adapted to Polish conditions between 2001 and 2011 by the Environmental Partnership Foundation (Fundacja Partnerstwo dla Środowiska) as part of the Central & Eastern European Greenways initiative. This work was based on the experience of the American Greenways movement and was carried out in cooperation with William Moody and Krystyna Wolniakowski.

The development of the Greenways initiative in Poland was made possible through financial and technical support from the Rockefeller Brothers Fund, as well as other donors supporting the Environmental Partnership for Central Europe, the Environmental Partnership Association, and the Environmental Partnership Foundation, including the DOEN Foundation, the Trust for Mutual Understanding, the C.S. Mott Foundation, and many others.

Functions of Greenways

In the concept of Greenways, natural and cultural heritage routes perform four main functions:

1. Sustainable transport and safety
Greenways promote non-motorized forms of transport and public transport connections, encouraging walking, cycling, horse riding, canoeing, and other active travel modes. They also contribute to improved road safety and the development of sustainable transport in both urban and rural areas, serving diverse user groups, including people with disabilities, older adults, and children.

2. Promotion of a healthy lifestyle
Greenways support healthy lifestyles and improve the quality of life for both residents and visitors. They encourage active tourism, outdoor recreation, leisure, and participation in sports in natural environments.

3. Development of ecotourism and protection of natural and cultural heritage
Greenways contribute to the development of environmentally friendly tourism and the creation and promotion of sustainable tourism products. These products are based on local resources and the involvement of local communities, including tourism services, cultural offerings, local products, and community initiatives. Greenways also stimulate grassroots actions aimed at protecting nature, landscapes, and cultural heritage.

4. Support for local socio-economic development and entrepreneurship
Greenways contribute to local economic development and foster entrepreneurship within local communities. Their development encourages services such as accommodation, food services, guiding, and tourism support. They also promote the creation of local product markets, visitor information points, galleries, and equipment rental services for sport and tourism activities.

Principles of Greenways in Central Europe

Support and activation of local communities – fostering local entrepreneurship, creating jobs and additional sources of income, and preserving and revitalizing traditional professions.

Protection of nature, cultural heritage, and landscape conservation.

Use of local resources – including accommodation and gastronomy services, tourism and guiding services, and local products.

Cooperation between countries, regions, cities, towns, and their inhabitants.

Support for local communities in discovering and strengthening cultural and social identity, improving living conditions and quality of life.

Provision of information and enabling tourists to gain a deeper understanding of the region, its issues, local initiatives, activities, organizations, etc.

Promotion of non-motorized transport and environmentally friendly forms of tourism, recreation, and sport.

Encouraging sustainable urban mobility, allowing people to move around cities on foot, by bicycle, or using public transport instead of private cars.

Encouraging physical activity, improving health, safety in travel, and active recreation.

Stages of Greenways Development

Stage I: “Organization”

  • building partnerships across the three sectors: social, public, and economic,
  • developing and signing a cooperation declaration including the project vision (see sample declaration in the box),
  • selecting a trail coordinator and local coordinators (section coordinators in the case of long-distance routes),
  • choosing the trail name and developing its logo,
  • preparing the concept of the trail route,
  • conducting a tourism audit in consultation with partners (inventory of natural and cultural attractions, cultural and artistic events, tourism infrastructure, local products, and community initiatives).

Stage II: “Visualization”

  • preparing the technical design for trail signage,
  • involving local governments in the partnership, including authorities of major cities along the route,
  • securing funding for trail visualization,
  • marking the main trail and thematic regional loops (directional and informational signage using the Greenways logo).

Stage III: “Promotion and Sale of the Tourism Product”

  • developing tourism offers/products along the trail, including market segmentation,
  • engaging partners from the tourism sector to develop and commercialize the tourism product,
  • preparing, publishing, and distributing promotional and information materials (maps, guides, brochures, websites) — at the initial stage, the most important tools are the MAP and the WEBSITE.

Stage IV: “Supporting Local Initiatives”

  • ensuring funding for local projects aimed at protecting natural and cultural heritage — a GREENWAY SHOULD BE FILLED WITH LOCAL INITIATIVES engaging local communities (this is one of its key distinguishing features).

The most common local initiatives along Greenways include:
eco-museums and thematic villages, cultural and artistic events, local product shops and galleries, artisan and craft workshops, nature reserves, environmental education centres, geocaching/questing activities, etc.

Stage V: “Developing Trail Infrastructure”

  • creating small-scale infrastructure along the routes — rest areas, information boards, and information points, etc.,
  • involving accommodation and food service providers in the trail initiative and encouraging the tourism sector to obtain eco-certifications and improve service quality and standards,
  • long-term goal: securing funding for trail infrastructure and gradually developing off-road paths that do not conflict with car traffic, forming the main axis of the Greenway.

Priority should be given to sections near large cities that serve as entry and exit points for travelers.

Key Components of Greenways

1. Marked main route (primary axis)

The main axis connects sites of scenic, natural, cultural, and historical interest. The route should be equipped with basic infrastructure such as signage with the trail logo, information boards, and rest areas. Each greenway also has a coherent guiding idea or theme that distinguishes it and gives it a unique character.

2. Network of diverse routes and local loops

These include cycling, walking, horse riding, skiing, water, and other types of trails that form an attractive regional network connected to the main axis. They serve recreation, interpretation of natural and cultural heritage, and environmental education.

3. Partnership and trail coordination

A greenway is implemented by a partnership of non-governmental organizations, local authorities, and businesses. Partners sign a cooperation agreement and appoint a main trail coordinator as well as local coordinators (in the case of long-distance routes).

4. Ecotourism product consistent with sustainable tourism principles

Greenways offer specialized tourism products for both individual travelers and organized groups. The offer is based on existing accommodation, food services, guiding services, and related tourism infrastructure. An important component of each offer includes tourism publications such as maps and guidebooks.

5. Local initiatives for the protection of natural and cultural heritage

Central European Greenways Standards

I. In Central and Eastern Europe, there are 3 main categories of Greenways:

  1. Long-distance Greenways
  2. Local Greenways
  3. Urban Greenways

II. Greenways Criteria (CEG):

There are two levels of Greenways criteria: general criteria (applicable to all categories of Greenways) and specific criteria (applicable to each category of Greenways).

a) General criteria:

A Greenway is a marked route in the field that has a distinct name (including the word “Greenway”), a logo, and a guiding theme or concept. Information about the route is provided through leaflets, maps, and guides. The Greenway has its own website and an on-site information system (signage, information boards, etc.).

The route meets basic safety standards, particularly for cyclists and pedestrians, and is developed and managed by a lead coordinator (organization, institution, local authority, etc.) in agreement and cooperation with other regional partners.

The Greenway is integrated into existing or planned transport and tourism development strategies and plans, fits into the regional and local transport and tourism network, and is connected to public transport systems.

b) Specific criteria:

i. Long-distance Greenways

A long-distance Greenway connects countries, regions, and major cities. Its main objective is the development of sustainable tourism (most often cycling tourism, but also water-based, walking, and horse-riding tourism). Long-distance Greenways must meet both infrastructural and functional criteria.

Infrastructure criteria:

a) The Greenway connects natural, cultural, scenic, historical, and social attractions located at least every 15 km;

b) Rest areas are available along the route at least every 20 km;

c) Key tourism nodes with accommodation and food services are available at least every 30 km;

d) Information about the route (leaflets, brochures, guides, maps, etc.) is available at tourist information points along the route and in neighbouring regions;

e) The route follows safe paths, separated from motor traffic or low-traffic roads;

f) At least 90% of the route has a paved surface suitable for year-round cycling (for cycling Greenways).

Functional criteria:

a) Each town, village, and tourist attraction along the route has at least one information board describing the Greenway and the location;

b) The route includes at least one local product distribution point (shop, workshop, gallery, etc.);

c) The route includes at least one point offering local or regional food tasting;

d) The Greenway allows access to at least one local initiative for the protection and interpretation of natural and cultural heritage;

e) The route passes through the centres of villages and towns or is connected to them via marked spurs or loops;

f) At least one tourism product offered by a local or regional tour operator is available along the route.

ii. Local Greenways

A local Greenway is a shorter route, mainly located in rural areas. Its main objective is to develop day-trip and weekend tourism and to support education and interpretation of natural and cultural heritage. Local Greenways are mainly used for walking, cycling, horse riding, and skiing (cross-country and backcountry skiing, etc.).

Criteria:

a) The route has at least one information board (for loop routes) or two information boards (for linear routes);

b) The route includes at least one rest area and/or fitness point;

c) The route passes to, from, or through village or town centres (where applicable);

d) Access to the start of the route is possible by public transport.

iii. Urban Greenways

An urban Greenway is a multi-purpose path (for pedestrians, cyclists, roller skaters, wheelchair users, etc.) built along a river, stream, former railway line, or natural corridor within urban space (parks, green areas, etc.). The main objective of urban Greenways is safe transport, recreation, and heritage interpretation.

Criteria:

a) At least 90% of the route has a paved surface;

b) The route forms a transport corridor separated from motor traffic and intended for non-motorized, gentle mobility;

c) The gradient (flat or low slope) allows use by a wide range of users, including wheelchair users;

d) The route has at least one information board (loop routes) or two information boards (linear routes);

e) The route includes at least one rest area and/or fitness point.