The availability of green space provides a number of benefits to our well-being and the well-being of the environment and ecosystem. This can include physical and emotional benefits to our well-being, and provide services such as pollination, habitat, and water regulation.

Greenways are used for environmental protection and recreational use. They can serve as wildlife corridors, linear parks, trail systems, or transportation corridors. By using a greenway, aesthetics and resilience are infused back into the human and non-human habitats that surround us, creating a more sustainable lifestyle.

An example of the benefits of greenways includes the linking of greenways to green infrastructure. This infrastructure focuses on managing stormwater outside of conventional piped drainage and water treatment systems. Water is filtered through natural systems and allowed to infiltrate down into the soil. It is often more effective than traditional infrastructure systems.

The benefits of greenways can further be explored under the framework of ecosystem services.

Greenways can be built around any corridor, road, or trail system. As part of a larger network, they help provide and connect needed services including access to greenspace and additional ecosystem services. They can be developed through any given area as needed, including areas such as high-density areas that lack vegetation. Areas that also have few green spaces and lack open land to develop green spaces would greatly benefit from greenways. If greenways are developed into the plans for growth they will not be lost, and be able to benefit those who live there for generations to come.

Identifying locations for needed greenway networks was the focus of the first part of our study. To see more information about factors that can go into the identification of locations see the page Regional Setting. This data was further compiled and used at a smaller scale as shown in Understand the Network. We included factors such as land use, equity, water, biodiversity, cultural resources, and transportation. Specific focus was given to residential areas and land needed for conservation, but the focus was also placed in less conventional areas including industrial land.

Greenway will meet the needs of residents, wildlife, and other visitors. Greenways will provide the stability and interconnection to the network of greenspaces. Effective greenways will provide a range of services. This can include biodiverse plant life, integration of regulatory services such as green infrastructure, places for conservation, and wildlife corridors.

Greenways can effectively meet the transportation needs of the community. They can be pedestrian-friendly corridors, as well as providing spaces for the safe travel of a variety of transportation including cycling, strollers, and wheelchairs. Consideration should be given for universal access, including continuous pathways, pathways wide enough for passing wheelchairs, and seating for needed breaks. They can be accessible for children's play, group activities, and adult recreation.

Many effective greenway networks are included on the Case Studies page. For design examples of greenway typologies, see Designing Networks.