Knoxville Moves to Create Urban Trail System

Waynesboro is advancing the Rockfish Gateway Trail project, which aims to connect Sunset Park to the Claudius Crozet Blue Ridge Tunnel, utilizing $950,000 in grant funds. This initiative will enhance access for hikers and cyclists to the Shenandoah National Park and Appalachian Trail, while a competing project, the Three Notched Trail, is also underway on the opposite side of the mountain. In South Knoxville, a rail-to-trail conversion is set to transform a seldom-used 3.8-mile railway into a greenway linking Chapman Highway to Ijams Nature Center, featuring a 1.5-mile 'Art Walk.' The Legacy Parks Foundation is leading this effort, with significant community support and funding already in place. Local business owners believe the new trail will spur economic growth by connecting neighborhoods and attracting more visitors. Both projects reflect a growing trend towards enhancing community connectivity and promoting outdoor recreation opportunities.