Athens and Limestone County civic leaders released their comprehensive Singing River Trail Action Plan along the 212-mile Singing River Trail system. As the first of its kind, the plan lays out a trail map for future outdoor recreation, economic development, health and wellness, and tourism opportunities throughout the area.
“To every mayor, city councilperson, county commissioner, legislator, and private stakeholder in North Alabama, this is a roadmap for other city and county leaders to follow,” said SRT executive director John Kvach. “It shows how Athens rolls, and we like it a lot. We call it the Top of the Trail in Athens, and you can be a part of it too.”
The Singing River Trail project began in 2014 as an ambitious 70-mile-long, three-county legacy project designed to strengthen North Alabama through entrepreneurship, land use and workforce initiatives. The Land Use Committee of Huntsville’s Launch 2035 believed the regional prosperity of North Alabama depends on all eight counties in North Alabama working and planning together to spur regional economic growth and create an enviable quality of life for all residents.
The first quarter mile of the Singing River Trail was designated by its first sign in 2019, based on a $225,000 Master Plan starting at Bob Wallace Avenue in Huntsville and it meandered through Madison, Trian and Belle Mina on its track towards Decatur.
In mid-2020, SRT brought in historian John Kvach as its first executive director and in less than two years, the natural greenway system has grown to 212 miles connecting eight counties in North Alabama and bringing it tantalizingly close to a ninth (Dekalb), and within 16 miles of the historic Natchez Trace.
In one year, Kvach added Jackson, Marshall, Lawrence, Lauderdale and Colbert Counties to the original Limestone, Madison and Morgan County group.
The Athens and Limestone County action plan is so comprehensive, it takes SRT past the design phase and a step closer to shovel-ready construction.
“There is still work to do on easements, right of ways, and working with private landowners, but we estimate having about 75% of the trail route on land that is controlled by partners or with landowners who have agreed to be part of the project,” said Kvach.
According to Kvach, the cost-shared plan came together through the coordinated efforts of the Limestone County Commission; City of Athens; Athens State University; Launch 2035; Danny Crawford and Andy Whitt of the AL House of Representatives; Athens City councilwoman Dana Henry; and trail maven Richard Martin. Will Hargrove and Matt Hayes of Alta Planning + Design, with Taz Morrell of Morrell Engineering, were also instrumental in the technical aspects.
“Connecting the proposed new Athens Recreation Center, the expanded Athens Sportsplex and the Swan Creek Greenway National Recreation Trail will be a vital asset to assist in the growth and development of the Athens Area,” said Athens Mayor William “Ronnie” Marks. “The Singing River Trail will connect our downtown communities and neighborhoods to the south and east.”
This is significant because much of the affected area falls completely within an Area of Persistent Poverty (APP) and is within an Opportunity Zone. The route will give students and residents access to augmented and virtual reality labs, an Education and Innovation Center, incubator space, classrooms, and meeting space at the proposed 85,000 square foot Athens State University Civic and Training Center.
“All it took was one short conversation to connect SRT with a proposed 6.4-mile sewer line that will run from Downtown Athens, along Swan Creek, to almost Calhoun Community College,” said Kvach. “There are bound to be similar projects out there that could mean more trails and outdoor recreation possibilities for the people of Alabama.”
Already this year, progress has been made in Marshall, Morgan, Jackson and Lawrence Counties as well.
Marshall County Commission chairman James Hutcheson, county commissioner Joey Baker, and Katy Norton, president of Marshall County Tourism and Sports, discussed a possible trail route to be presented to the full County Commission in early February. They made it clear their SRT route should cross the bridge at Scottsboro and follow a southward route along the Tennessee River to Lake Guntersville State Park and the city of Guntersville.
SRT met with Marshall County Commission chairman Ray Long and Decatur/Morgan County CVB president Danielle Gibson to discuss a trail route linking Decatur and Morgan County to the rest of North Alabama.
SRT met with Jackson County stakeholders and leaders to start the master planning process for the entire county and Scottsboro.
SRT and Launch 2035 Land Use committee member Lauren Vandiver Pelto arranged a meeting with the TVA Government Relations manager to discuss a running trail on TVA’s new 2,800-acre solar farm in Lawrence County.
“The Singing River Trail is North Alabama, and North Alabama is home,” said Kvach. “This is a hometown project for the people and communities of North Alabama and that means we are on call when you need us.”
Download the entire Limestone County/Athens Action Plan Here.
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