The Cumberland Trail Conference, which is losing support this year from Tennessee, has received a $30,000 grant from the Lyndhurst Foundation.
The money will help the nonprofit organization continue construction in the Cumberland Trail State Park and along associated corridors.
"The trail will create one of the last remaining unbroken greenway corridors in the state, creating a lasting legacy to be shared and enjoyed by all those who value the great outdoors," said Tony Hook, Cumberland Trail Conference general manager.
About 170 miles are built and open, according to conference and state officials. When completed, the trail will be 300 miles.
In 2007, the state provided $120,000 for materials and transportation for trail bridge projects.
The trail begins at Signal Point on Walden's Ridge. It stretches along the ridge and the Cumberland Plateau near Soddy-Daisy and northward to the Cumberland Gap National Historic Park on the Tennessee, Kentucky and Virginia borders.
Mr. Hook said the Lyndhurst Foundation and its president, Benic M. Clark III, have supported the Cumberland Trail Conference for a long time.
"With their continued support the Cumberland Trail project will continue to move forward," he said.
Meg Lockhart, spokeswoman for the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, said the flow of state money for the trail conference never was intended to continue indefinitely.
"We certainly appreciate all of the hard work and dedication the (Cumberland Trail Conference) puts forth, and the trail simply wouldn't exist as we know it today without their efforts," she said. "We have encouraged them to seek other revenue sources. We are pleased they are doing just that, and we look forward to continuing to work with them."
The state will continue, when possible, to award specific trail and bridge grants, Mr. Hook said.
Pam Sohn has been reporting or editing Chattanooga news for 25 years. A Walden’s Ridge native, she began her journalism career with a 10-year stint at the Anniston (Ala.) Star. She came to the Chattanooga Times Free Press in 1999 after working at the Chattanooga Times for 14 years. She has been a city editor, Sunday editor, wire editor, projects team leader and assistant lifestyle editor. As a reporter, she also has covered the police, ...
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