Singing River Trail has announced the hiring of Scott Graham as its new Trail Development Project Manager as the regional trail initiative moves into a new phase focused on implementation and construction across North Alabama.
Graham, a Decatur native, will help oversee development of the expanding regional trail network, which spans multiple North Alabama counties and communities.
According to Singing River Trail officials, Graham brings extensive experience managing conservation and community-focused projects involving coordination among federal, state, local, nonprofit and private partners.
Prior to joining Singing River Trail, Graham served as a regional biologist in southern Louisiana, where he managed projects involving permitting, funding administration, implementation and public engagement.
“I’m so excited to be joining the SRT team to help implement this regional trail system that will ultimately connect North Alabama,” Graham said in a statement. “I look forward to meeting our partners and collaborating on projects that will fulfill the mission of the Singing River Trail.”
Singing River Trail officials said the organization is entering a major growth and implementation phase following a series of milestones achieved during 2025.
Those accomplishments included the unveiling of the organization’s first official trail signage, groundbreaking ceremonies for new projects and completion of seven of the eight countywide master plans intended to guide long-term regional trail development.
Misti Potter, SRT’s Executive Director, said Graham’s background in coordinating large, multi-community projects will help advance the organization’s regional goals.
“We are entering a defining new phase for SRT as the vision evolves into meaningful regional progress,” Potter said. “Scott’s successful track record and experience managing projects across multiple communities, moving complex initiatives forward, makes him an incredible asset to our team and the communities we serve.”
Singing River Trail’s long-term strategy calls for completing approximately 60% of the regional trail network within the next five years through what the organization describes as an “inside-out” approach.
That strategy prioritizes connecting local assets such as downtowns, schools, parks, neighborhoods and recreation areas before linking communities together across the broader region.
Organization leaders said more than 30 projects are currently underway or in development throughout the Singing River Trail footprint, ranging from conceptual planning and engineering to active construction and completed trail segments.
Officials said work is also expected to begin this year on the organization’s final county master plan, with a continued emphasis on community engagement and regional partnerships.
The Singing River Trail (SRT) is a planned 200+ mile greenway system winding through eight counties in North Alabama. Designed for walking, hiking, and cycling, it connects communities from the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains in Jackson County to the music studios of the Shoals in Colbert County.
