My family has visited the Tennessee Greenways and Trails System in several cities. We like to walk along the waterfronts, the remote hikes and blue way access. The people that we meet on our walks and activities seem to appreciate access to the greenways as much as we do.
The Tennessee Greenways and Trails System provides access to scenic and recreation opportunities throughout the state. The greenways and trails plan was introduced in the mid-1980s. The idea was to create open space and recreation areas in communities across Tennessee. Preserving and protecting the environment are chief among the goals of the Tennessee Greenways and Trails System.
Here is a comparison of three Tennessee Greenways and Trails.
Chattanooga
Tennessee Riverpark and Chattanooga Greenways System
The first phase of this development is known as ‘Riverpark’ by locals. When fully completed, the project will go through downtown to connect Chickamauga Dam with Moccasin Bend about 20 miles away. My daughters have had many birthday parties in the pavilion here.
A playground, picnic area, two mile paved walking trail and boat launches completed the first phase of the greenways and trails System in Chattanooga. Riverpark was a hit from the moment Phase I opened in 1989. To this day, it is still referred to simply as ‘Riverpark’ by many of the area residents.
The greenways system in Chattanooga now includes Ross’s Landing Plaza which surrounds the Tennessee Aquarium. The Walnut Street Pedestrian Bridge and Bluff Furnace District have also been incorporated into the Chattanooga greenway as has the North Chickamauga Creek Greenway.
Knoxville
City of Knoxville Greenways and Trails
Along with several blueways Knoxville has a greenway that almost every fan of the Tennessee volunteers are familiar with. The Neyland Greenway downtown is a riverfront pedestrian corridor that includes Volunteer Landing. It goes from the bridge at First Creek to beyond the Neyland Stadium.
This paved trail in the Tennessee greenway system becomes awash in orange and white during the home games of the University of Tennessee football team. Popular activities for the rest of the year include walking or jogging along the riverfront greenway, the water play fountains. Picnic areas, concessions and blue way access is available at Volunteer Landing.
Caryville
Tennessee State Scenic Trail
Cumberland Trail
This unpaved hiking trail in the Tennessee Greenways and Trails System generally follows the edge of the Cumberland Plateau. There are gaps in the trail as land is still being acquired to fully complete it. Over 176 miles are currently open for hiking. A number of trailheads provide access.
One of the more popular trail-heads for the Cumberland Trail is at Cove Lake State Park in Caryville, Tennessee. From the Lawson, Anderson and Cross mountains hikers will enjoy spectacular views and waterfalls
The Cumberland Trail is part of the Tennessee Greenways and Trails System that takes hikers through remote areas. My family found the trail around Cove Lake State Park to be fairly easy to moderate.
Hikers in this area should be aware that the farther you hike from Cove Lake State Park the more the conditions can change on this remote trail. Hikers will also need to carry water with them or treat water along the trail. This is one of the greenways that require hikers to wear blaze orange during hunting season.
Reference:
- www.americantrails.org/glossary.html
- www.tva.gov/river/neighbors/aug06/undiscovered.htm
- web.eecs.utk.edu/~dunigan/blueway/
