Oct. 10. The Cornelius Parks and Recreation Department received a Regional Excellence Award for its greenway connectivity during the Centralina Regional Council’s annual awards earlier this week.

Centralina Regional Council is a public organization that supports local governments and strengthens regional collaboration across the nine-county Charlotte region. Its annual awards recognize local governments, organizations and individuals who improve quality of life and advance regional cooperation.

The award recognized Cornelius’ Emerald Necklace, a 13-mile greenway network connecting neighborhoods, schools and businesses while promoting active living and sustainability.

“These awardees embody the spirit of innovation, cooperation and service that make our region thrive,” said Geraldine Gardner, executive director of the council.

Marketing and Downtown Events Manager Emily Halden and Executive Administrative Assistant Mary Curcione represented the department at the ceremony.

“The Emerald Necklace was developed with a clear goal: to create an interconnected loop of greenways and multi-use trails that connect where people live to where they work, shop and recreate,” said Parks and Recreation Director Troy Fitzsimmons.

About 83% of the Emerald Necklace is complete, but nearly all of it is traversable. A section near the Cornelius Post Office will be upgraded from sidewalks to shared-use paths when the N.C. Department of Transportation builds a new roundabout at Liverpool Parkway. Another section on Catawba Avenue will likely be upgraded as part of the downtown master plan.

The only portion without sidewalks runs from Caldwell Station to McDowell Creek near Birkdale. The state is expected to close that gap with shared-use paths during the N.C. 73 widening project.