Recreation Educational Services Division

  Greenways and Trails Program

Looking for Greenways
and Trails in Tennessee,
go to the website,
www.connectwithtn.com.
If you know about a trail
that is not on the list,
please send the information
to Bob Richards,
robert.richards@tn.gov.

 

The Greenways and Trails program is here to encourage Tennessee communities to save their special green spaces, to promote the volunteer spirit of Tennesseans and to work to preserve and conserve the natural and cultural resources that make each community in our state special.

Greenways have been defined in the Tennessee Greenways and Trails Plan as linear open spaces established along either a natural corridor, such as a riverfront, stream valley or ridgeline, or overland along a railroad right-of-way converted to recreational use, a canal, scenic road or other route.

Greenways can be any natural or landscaped area that allows for pedestrian or bicycle passage; an open-space corridor that can link parks, nature preserves, historic or cultural features, schools and neighborhoods with each other. Greenway trails can be used for alternative transportation, recreation and health/fitness activities.

“Walk with Me Tennessee” is a self-assessment tool for cities and counties that focuses on a variety of aspects, including: planning, health and fitness opportunities, infrastructure, connecting community areas and safety. It ranks the community’s walkability, and provides pertinent planning information to help communities increase their pedestrian friendliness.

 

Testimonial: “We will use the status as a “Walk with Me Tennessee” community to help educate about the importance of being a walkable community and what benefits are for them.” - Clarksville Parks & Recreation.

Link – Walk With Me Tennessee Brochure
Link – Walk With Me Tennessee Self Assessment

 

  2008 Tennessee Greenways and Trails Plan

The Greenways and Trails program is here to encourage Tennessee communities to save their special green spaces, to promote the volunteer spirit of Tennesseans and to work to preserve and conserve the natural and cultural resources that make each community in our state special.

The 2008 Tennessee Greenways and Trails Plan (G&T Plan) is now available and it is a result of over 18 months of research, planning and collaboration between the TDEC Commissioner’s Council on Greenways and Trails, TDEC –RES staff and numerous federal, state and local government agencies as well as the trail users groups from across the state. The G&T Plan references numerous locations and organizations that have developed Greenways and Trails in innovative and creative ways The G&T Plan focuses on the Benefits of Greenways and Trails from an Economic, Personal Health, Alternative Transportation, Recreation and Environmental Protection perspectives.

The Plan also has two Appendices which provide additional information on Greenways and Trails. Appendix A is an overview of all types of trails both motorized and non-motorized. Appendix B is a four page list of federal, state, and local government agencies as well as numerous non-profit organizations that can assist with numerous trail related issues.

To access the G&T Plan online, click on the G&T Plan, Appendix A or Appendix B. For this information on a CD, contact Bob Richards at 615-532-0753 or Robert.richards@tn.gov.

 

Please contact the Tennessee Greenways and Trails Coordinator via this webpage if you have questions or need assistance with greenway planning, trail construction or other natural resources related issues.