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Many runners use the Greenough corridor and we should be planning for that use. • The Greenough path, plus the Herter paths on the other side of the Charles, form

a safe 5K loop for runners because no streets have to be crossed. • Nearly 6,000 runners used the loop during organized races in 2013, according to

a local website, Coolrunning.com. During the summer, several hundred runners use the path every day.

• Runners have improvised running tracks by creating narrow dirt paths adjacent

to paved paths. This demonstrates a clear preference for a softer running surface.

Existing impromptu dirt path parallel to paved path in Greenough corridor

• DCR’s “Connectivity Study,” a plan for open spaces along the Charles, urged a

10’ wide paved path with a parallel soft-surface trail or shoulder for runners where possible

• Soft surfaces have benefits for runners: “…the off-road impact is significantly

easier on your body.” Fraioli, Mario, The Importance of Varying Your Running Surface, Competitor Magazine, Nov. 19, 2013.

• Planning for a new Greenough multi-use corridor should include the long-term

goal of a soft-surface path parallel to and integrated with the hard-surface path. • Phasing of paths may be necessary because construction funds are limited.

Money might be saved by beginning implementation with grading for both hard and soft surfaces paths.

• See the many other projects WalkBoston is working on for runners,

at WalkBoston.org/running