as walking and cycling. The functions of connecting
places in linear corridors that are inherent to greenways
also provide an opportunity to unify disparate parts of
sprawling metropolitan regions. These various benefits
indicate why the greenway movement in North America
is burgeoning (Little, 1990).
However, the relationship between the natural environment
and recreation in urban areas is an uneasy one,
particularly in those greenways that include trails
through natural (and naturalized) areas. The concerns
of local residents for safety and clear sightlines may
compromise the ecological integrity of urban greenways,
whereas natural corridors may be perceived as
unsafe and avoided by people who are most vulnerable
to crime, including women, aging people, children and