From the top of Lookout Mountain, Ga., to the banks of the Hiwassee River, more and more greenways are being built across the region.
The reasons? Health, cost and just a general sense of people wanting to live outdoors, officials said.
“One of the reasons they’re becoming more popular is because they are accessible,” said Rick Wood, director of the Chattanooga chapter of the Trust for Public Land.
Across Southeast Tennessee and North Georgia, greenway construction projects are ongoing. Chattanooga has seen land acquired for its North Chickamauga Creek Greenway, and a paved trail is being constructed right now for the South Chickamauga Creek Greenway — connecting the Tennessee Riverwalk with Camp Jordan in East Ridge.
Along Lookout Mountain, trail extension is under way on the Cloudland Canyon Connector to hook Lula Lake Land Trust with Cloudland Canyon State Park.
In Cleveland, Tenn., officials said they are extending the Cleveland Greenway, a walkway that will eventually head to Charleston, Tenn., and the banks of the Hiwassee River.
Mr. Wood said greenways are fairly inexpensive to build and many people use them.
The 11-mile Riverwalk, which is also being extended, acts as the “spine” for the city’s walkways, said Larry Zehnder, the city’s Parks and Recreation director.
Mr. Zehnder would like to see smaller paths from neighborhoods connect with greenways and eventually the Riverpark, a complete network of walkways across the city.
Rodney Keeton, Collegedale’s director of Public Works, Utilities and Parks and Recreation, said Collegedale started its own greenway program in 2000. About half a mile was completed this year. The city’s trail runs about four miles. “We’re looking at eight or nine miles,” he said.
Greenways can act as an economic development tool. People come to walk on them and then spend money on shopping or eating, he said.
“On a pretty day, we’ll get 1,000 people here,” Mr. Keeton said.
Mr. Wood said landowners are becoming more open to giving land conservation easements for greenways. They are open to anyone, he said.
“You don’t have to pay a fee, you don’t have to be a member of a club,” he said.
BUILDING ON LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN
North Georgia officials have built 5.5 miles of trail from Lula Lake Land Trust toward Cloudland Canyon State Park, said Bobby Davenport, development director for the Lula Lake Land Trust.
Another 4.3 miles of trail is being built this year, and the last stage, to be built later, will add another 4.5 miles, he said.
Another 20 miles of mountain bike trail is being built around the trails, he said.
He said he thinks there is one reason people want to enjoy greenways.
“Freedom,” he said. “One word. Freedom.”
He said people like being outdoors, away from it all and enjoying the gift of nature.
“What excites people is recreational activity,” he said. “Outdoor recreation. People love that.”