PDF: Marion County Chamber of Commerce Presentation
JASPER, Tenn. — A plan five years in the making suggests linking South Pittsburg, Kimball and Jasper with a walking trail.
The proposal, presented recently to the Marion County Chamber of Commerce, includes a still longer-range idea of linking the Marion County Park to Chattanooga’s trail system through Prentice Cooper State Forest.
Most of the work is ahead, said organizer Daniel Carter, a teacher at the University of the South and cattle rancher.
“This is way down the road, but we’ve got a plan to connect this whole system to Kimball and to South Pittsburg. That’s probably too far out for people to think about right now, including myself,” said Mr. Carter, a former staff member of UT’s County Technical Assistance Service.
Chattanooga and Marion County groups, from trail bike riders to horseback riders, hikers and exercise walkers, are still making suggestions and refining the proposed routes, he said.
“During our public meetings we heard many suggestions including for walking trails, or a greenway,” Mr. Carter said.
With a contract to use the geographic information systems department at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, user groups have explored many possible links, he said.
The work began in 2005 as part of Marion County’s application to become a Tennessee Three Star community. The designation aids economic development effort.
Kimball Mayor David Jackson said he supports what Mr. Carter is trying to do.
The town has a walking track but has been turned down twice by the state for a grant for a riverside greenway, Mr. Jackson said.
“In city meetings where this has been discussed, people have supported the walking track,” Mr. Jackson said.
He said that by working together, perhaps with the three cities will have better luck getting a state grant.
According to the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation’s greenways plan, “A statewide system is slowly taking shape as greenways and trails connect inside city limits, expand into the surrounding county areas, and the county greenways and trails make connections to adjoining counties.”
The TDEC greenways document cites a plan to connect Knox and Blount counties to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park by way of Alcoa, Maryville and Townsend.
Bob Richards, TDEC’s greenways and trails program coordinator in Nashville, said in an e-mailed statement that “TDEC’s Recreation Educational Services Division is aware of and supports the Marion County project.”
For now, Mr. Carter and the study group want to link an existing paved walking trail around Jasper Elementary School and the ball parks to an old railroad bed on the opposite side of the school.
In April some of his Sewanee students will be here to help with the Jasper nature trail.
The extended trail would offer a nature classroom, including an overlook pier at a large beaver dam, and more recreational walking area for the whole town.
“Just like everybody else, I’m always looking for ways to get the kids outdoors,” Mr. Carter said.