Scenic rail line to become recreational trail
October 5, 2008 | Johnson City, Tennessee | Vetting explained
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Northeast Tennessee: A Nexus For Interconnected Greenways and Trails* Within the past two years events have come together to provide a fresh look at the trail system in Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia. We have now an incredible opportunity at hand which could impact the area substantially as regards quality of life, green economic growth, increased eco-tourism, and preservation of our natural resources for those who follow after us. Here are some examples of area greenways and trails all in various stages. These projects and having and will continue to have a momentous impact on the area and the region. This list is far from complete. * Connecting Mountain City
* to the Virginia Creeper Trail* http://johnsoncountytrails.org/at.html http://www.vacreepertrail.com/ The Johnson County Trail Association has received funding and begun construction of a trail connecting Mountain City, TN with the Virginia Creeper Trail outside of Damascus, VA. In September there will be a meeting of state and local Virginia officials to obtain a recommitment regarding a trail connecting Damascus with our Laurel Creek Trail at the state line. A verbal commitment was made several years ago that when we actually started development, they would begin a project to connect with us. * Planned trail from Mountain City to
* Watauga Lake* http://johnsoncountytrails.org/at.html Multi-use trail for biking and hiking following the Doe Mountain Range and terminating at the north end of the lake near Doe Creek. * Proposed trail from Elizabethton to
* Wilbur Dam* Multi-use trail using the water line easement of the Watauga River Water Authority from Elizabethton along the Watauga River to Wilbur Dam. A collaborate effort of the WRWA, Carter County, Johnson County, and the City of Elizabethton. * Planned Historic Tweetsie Trail from Johnson City across
* Elizabethton* http://www.eteamz.com/TweetsieHistoricTrailAssociation/ A planned rail-to-trail project that would provide a connective route from downtown Johnson City across Elizabethton to just below Hampton. Proposed collaborative of Elizabethton, Carter County, and Johnson City. * Southwest Virginia Multi Use Trail Contact: Randy Rose rrose@virginia.org The Southwest Regional Recreation Authority has had its first meeting and Jack McClanahan was elected as the Chair of the Authority. They have selected a trail marketing name: "Spearhead Trails of Southwest Virginia". A bylaws committee has been selected and they hope to have the organization completed soon. This group hopes to develop more trails in the Southwest Virginia area and especially ones suitable for Off Highway Vehicles (OHV’s). * Kingsport Greenbelt www.kingsportgreenbelt.com The Kingsport Greenbelt is a linear park that connects residential neighborhoods, traditional parks, downtown commercial districts, schools, and activity centers. A special feature of this unique park is a pathway for pedestrian and bicycle use. The pathway meanders along gentle streams, wanders through marshlands, glides across open meadows, and passes by sites of historical and aesthetic value. * Erwin Linear Trail http://www.unicoicounty.org/recreation-linear.php The Erwin Linear Trail runs parallel to I-26 along North Indian Creek and the Nolichucky River waterways in Erwin. Designed to simultaneously protect and enhance the environment, while providing recreational space, the paved trails meander through, around and over woodlands, natural ponds and wetlands to create spectacular opportunities for recreation, fishing and instruction for local school programs. The trails entice hikers, dog walkers, bicyclers, joggers, adults, children and families from the entire region both day and night. In addition, the park creates a breathtaking ambience for arts and crafts shows, outdoor concerts and other events, and offers amenities such as night lighting, restrooms, benches, fishing docks and a family-friendly atmosphere. Why are these efforts of such vital importance? Clearly what we have before us is a network of interconnected biking and hiking trails that would provide an immense recreational thoroughfare from Virginia to the center of northeast Tennessee. With the region as a connecting nexus for a trail system visitors from all over the nation would experience the dramatic scenery and outstanding beauty of our area. Such investment in green infrastructure would stimulate economic growth that would rival that of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and would not leave behind the negative environmental impact which that park now presents. Gateway Communities The communities of our area would become gateways to the trail system as visitors enter it from many directions. Lodging, meals, and other services would be necessary to provide support for an influx of trail users be they bikers, hikers, nature lovers, bird watchers, or those just wanting to experience the calm of a wooded trail. With the Appalachian Trail already drawing numerous visitors to gateway cities such as Elizabethton and Erwin this would only be enhanced and affect many of the other communities of the area. The long term economic impact of such investment by gateway communities would be in the millions of dollars. (see: Virginia Creeper Trail: An Assessment of User Demographics, Preferences, and Economics, 2004) http://www.srs.fs.usda.gov/trends/VCT.pdf Quality of Life The citizens of northeast Tennessee are blessed with an abundance of available natural resources and use them for walking, hiking, boating, fishing, and hunting. The building of an interconnected trail system would provide greater opportunities for them to use these resources for exercise and recreation and thus increase the community levels of physical activity. Studies have shown that increased exercise positively affects physical and mental health of any individual. Health care costs born for a large part by local governments and industry would be dramatically affected by providing greater access to venues for recreation such as a trail system. Industrial Recruitment Corporations look to a community’s opportunities for an active life-style when seeking to locate in an area. They look to the opportunities their employees might have to walk and bike to maintain a basic level of health and decrease the enormous costs of employee related health insurance. They look for an available pool of local employees who enjoy resources for recreation locally as a stable and health aware population. Reducing health care costs is paramount to these companies and key to their recruitment for economic development. By partnering with various local governments, agencies and non-profits we can bring about a dramatic change in the Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia region. Working together with the communities of the area, Tennessee Valley Authority, Nation Forest Service, National Park Service, Appalachian Regional Commission, First Tennessee Development, Black Diamond Development District, Appalachian Trail Conservancy, The Trust for Public Land, and other groups our vision can be achieved. This is a bold proposal requiring the efforts of many and may take years to complete. Leaving behind a better northeast Tennessee for those who follow us is a worthy goal and one that we can attain with this trail effort.
* to the Virginia Creeper Trail* http://johnsoncountytrails.org/at.html http://www.vacreepertrail.com/ The Johnson County Trail Association has received funding and begun construction of a trail connecting Mountain City, TN with the Virginia Creeper Trail outside of Damascus, VA. In September there will be a meeting of state and local Virginia officials to obtain a recommitment regarding a trail connecting Damascus with our Laurel Creek Trail at the state line. A verbal commitment was made several years ago that when we actually started development, they would begin a project to connect with us. * Planned trail from Mountain City to
* Watauga Lake* http://johnsoncountytrails.org/at.html Multi-use trail for biking and hiking following the Doe Mountain Range and terminating at the north end of the lake near Doe Creek. * Proposed trail from Elizabethton to
* Wilbur Dam* Multi-use trail using the water line easement of the Watauga River Water Authority from Elizabethton along the Watauga River to Wilbur Dam. A collaborate effort of the WRWA, Carter County, Johnson County, and the City of Elizabethton. * Planned Historic Tweetsie Trail from Johnson City across
* Elizabethton* http://www.eteamz.com/TweetsieHistoricTrailAssociation/ A planned rail-to-trail project that would provide a connective route from downtown Johnson City across Elizabethton to just below Hampton. Proposed collaborative of Elizabethton, Carter County, and Johnson City. * Southwest Virginia Multi Use Trail Contact: Randy Rose rrose@virginia.org The Southwest Regional Recreation Authority has had its first meeting and Jack McClanahan was elected as the Chair of the Authority. They have selected a trail marketing name: "Spearhead Trails of Southwest Virginia". A bylaws committee has been selected and they hope to have the organization completed soon. This group hopes to develop more trails in the Southwest Virginia area and especially ones suitable for Off Highway Vehicles (OHV’s). * Kingsport Greenbelt www.kingsportgreenbelt.com The Kingsport Greenbelt is a linear park that connects residential neighborhoods, traditional parks, downtown commercial districts, schools, and activity centers. A special feature of this unique park is a pathway for pedestrian and bicycle use. The pathway meanders along gentle streams, wanders through marshlands, glides across open meadows, and passes by sites of historical and aesthetic value. * Erwin Linear Trail http://www.unicoicounty.org/recreation-linear.php The Erwin Linear Trail runs parallel to I-26 along North Indian Creek and the Nolichucky River waterways in Erwin. Designed to simultaneously protect and enhance the environment, while providing recreational space, the paved trails meander through, around and over woodlands, natural ponds and wetlands to create spectacular opportunities for recreation, fishing and instruction for local school programs. The trails entice hikers, dog walkers, bicyclers, joggers, adults, children and families from the entire region both day and night. In addition, the park creates a breathtaking ambience for arts and crafts shows, outdoor concerts and other events, and offers amenities such as night lighting, restrooms, benches, fishing docks and a family-friendly atmosphere. Why are these efforts of such vital importance? Clearly what we have before us is a network of interconnected biking and hiking trails that would provide an immense recreational thoroughfare from Virginia to the center of northeast Tennessee. With the region as a connecting nexus for a trail system visitors from all over the nation would experience the dramatic scenery and outstanding beauty of our area. Such investment in green infrastructure would stimulate economic growth that would rival that of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and would not leave behind the negative environmental impact which that park now presents. Gateway Communities The communities of our area would become gateways to the trail system as visitors enter it from many directions. Lodging, meals, and other services would be necessary to provide support for an influx of trail users be they bikers, hikers, nature lovers, bird watchers, or those just wanting to experience the calm of a wooded trail. With the Appalachian Trail already drawing numerous visitors to gateway cities such as Elizabethton and Erwin this would only be enhanced and affect many of the other communities of the area. The long term economic impact of such investment by gateway communities would be in the millions of dollars. (see: Virginia Creeper Trail: An Assessment of User Demographics, Preferences, and Economics, 2004) http://www.srs.fs.usda.gov/trends/VCT.pdf Quality of Life The citizens of northeast Tennessee are blessed with an abundance of available natural resources and use them for walking, hiking, boating, fishing, and hunting. The building of an interconnected trail system would provide greater opportunities for them to use these resources for exercise and recreation and thus increase the community levels of physical activity. Studies have shown that increased exercise positively affects physical and mental health of any individual. Health care costs born for a large part by local governments and industry would be dramatically affected by providing greater access to venues for recreation such as a trail system. Industrial Recruitment Corporations look to a community’s opportunities for an active life-style when seeking to locate in an area. They look to the opportunities their employees might have to walk and bike to maintain a basic level of health and decrease the enormous costs of employee related health insurance. They look for an available pool of local employees who enjoy resources for recreation locally as a stable and health aware population. Reducing health care costs is paramount to these companies and key to their recruitment for economic development. By partnering with various local governments, agencies and non-profits we can bring about a dramatic change in the Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia region. Working together with the communities of the area, Tennessee Valley Authority, Nation Forest Service, National Park Service, Appalachian Regional Commission, First Tennessee Development, Black Diamond Development District, Appalachian Trail Conservancy, The Trust for Public Land, and other groups our vision can be achieved. This is a bold proposal requiring the efforts of many and may take years to complete. Leaving behind a better northeast Tennessee for those who follow us is a worthy goal and one that we can attain with this trail effort.
- Tags:
- trails,
- outdoors,
- recreation,
- sustainable,
- green,
- hiking,
- biking,
- scenic,
- beauty
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