Last updated: November 21, 2024
Article
National Park Service provides recreation, conservation, and economic development to ten communities across the Southeast
ATLANTA – The National Park Service (NPS) announced today the selection of ten new communities and partners across the southeast to receive expert consultation from the NPS to help spur local recreation, conservation and economic development opportunities.
The recipients — located in Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee — were selected through a competitive process and will receive assistance to help make their rivers, trails, greenways and open spaces vital, life-enhancing parts of their communities.
The NPS Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance program (NPS-RTCA) assists communities and public land managers in developing or restoring parks, conservation areas, rivers, and wildlife habitats, as well as creating outdoor recreation opportunities and programs that engage future generations in the outdoors.
NPS-RTCA provides professional services to help communities complete important conservation and outdoor recreation projects. The projects selected this year represent a variety of projects that will create enhancements to rivers, trails, greenways, and open spaces throughout the southeast.
The new projects selected for assistance in 2024 are:
ALABAMA
Montgomery Riverwalk Extension
Started in the early 2000s, the Montgomery Riverwalk has since attracted visitors and city residents alike to the banks of the Alabama River. Now, working with the City, the Montgomery County Commission seeks to extend the Riverwalk an additional 1.5 miles to the recently completed Montgomery Whitewater Park. Following the curve of the river, the extension would connect downtown Montgomery and its attractions to neighborhoods, the Whitewater Park, and Maxwell Air Force Base, while also providing an alternative pedestrian and bike friendly option for the City’s residents. The NPS will assist with facilitation and coordination of project partners and the development of conceptual and strategic plans for the new extension.
KENTUCKY
Newport Waterfront Park
Just across the Ohio River from Cincinnati, the City of Newport looks to enhance its 20-acre General James Taylor Park with trails, playgrounds, and access to the river for kayaking, rowing, fishing and more. The City hopes the newly upgraded park will help connect people to nature and the river so that they can enjoy the relaxing and recreational benefits of having access to the water. In order to accomplish this, the City will work with the NPS to organize, plan, and facilitate an extensive public input process that will inform a final master plan concept that is supported by the community and City officials. Further assistance from the NPS will include recommendations and best practices for greenspace and conservation along the river shoreline, considerations for flooding and erosion control, and ensuring that the park and water access are compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Taylor Fork Recreation Area
Established 14 years ago, the Taylor Fork Ecological Area in Richmond features multi-use trails and habitat restoration projects operated and maintained by Eastern Kentucky University students and staff. Now, the University looks to create a network of trails that will eventually connect a hospital, hospice facility, and the Boone Trace trail system to the existing conservation and trails of the Ecological Area. The project will be accomplished through community outreach and engagement along with conservation easements to secure trail connections. The Richmond Baptist Health Hospital is fully embracing the linkages of health and multi-use trails and is a major partner in facilitating a trailhead at the hospital with accessible trails for patients and healthcare providers alike. To assist, the NPS will coordinate the community outreach process, facilitate meetings, and create a trail master plan concept.
MISSISSIPPI
Amethyst at Five Points
On 7 wooded acres in Jackson, the Institute for Medication Education Designed to INfluence Favorable Outcomes (IMEDINFO) seeks to establish a park and memorial with trails and reflection areas that tells the story of the National Negro Baseball League and the Jackson Cubs. The site will be a community anchor for cultural, historical, and outdoor learning and sharing for the surrounding neighborhoods. To further the connection of the park with the community, new greenways and multi-use paths to historical sites including the nearby Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home National Monument will be considered. NPS will assist with project facilitation and seek landscape design support from public and private sector partners. Additional assistance will be provided by the National Monument, helping to build community partnerships and provide planning guidance in the park development process.
NORTH CAROLINA
Navassa Heritage Blueprint Project
Within the Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor, which runs from northeast Florida to southeast North Carolina, the Town of Navassa aspires to tell the story of the Gullah Geechee through a multitude of outdoor recreation projects. The Gullah Geechee people are the descendants of West and Central Africans who were enslaved to work on isolated coastal plantations. Because of the isolation, they were able to retain many of their indigenous African traditions. It’s these foodways, arts and crafts, and spiritual traditions that will be interpreted through the Town’s ongoing planning efforts, including a bike and pedestrian plan and a 14-mile Heritage Trail feasibility study. The new Heritage Trail will feature Navassa as a trail hub for the North Carolina Gullah Geechee Greenway and Blueway. NPS will promote the projects by helping to establish a sustainable organization that focuses on preserving the Gullah culture and its influence on the Town and the region. NPS will also help develop a conceptual and interpretive plan for a demonstration project selected by the new organization. The public and local residents will be consulted throughout the project to offer ideas for the merging of outdoor recreation and Gullah cultural history.
SOUTH CAROLINA
Ashley River Park West
Ashley River Park sits just outside of Charleston and features trails, playgrounds, picnic shelters, and a kayak launch. The park is expanding to now include an undeveloped 210-acre parcel where the Dorchester County Parks and Recreation Department plan to grow the park’s passive recreation. The park expansion offers the opportunity for more trails, platform camping, river access and more, all with conservation and environmental education in mind. The County aims to develop a community-supported conceptual plan with an overarching public input process being the basis of the plan. NPS will be involved as a facilitator during the public participation phases as well as offer landscape architecture services for the final conceptual plan.
TENNESSEE
Hatchie River Blueway
The 238-mile Hatchie River is the only river in West Tennessee that flows naturally into the Mississippi River without being channelized, impounded, or otherwise significantly altered. The river has two wildlife refuges and offers excellent bottomland hardwood swamp habitat for many species. While there are ample opportunities to fish and hunt in the area, there is a lack of access to the river for non-motorized boaters to enjoy. This is what the Southwest Tennessee Development District aspires to remedy through a water trail project that aims to improve public access for outdoor recreation and tourism within a five-county area of the River. NPS will help identify new and existing access points, engaging communities and the public for their input and support, and advocate for the development of marketing and educational materials.
Lookout Valley to Chattanooga Linear Park
In 2021, a group of Lookout Valley residents met to discuss a potential multi-use greenway alternative transportation option to downtown Chattanooga. From that effort, the Lookout Valley Greenway Alliance was created and now seeks to pursue a greenway to the Reflection Riding Nature Center, then to a historical property along the Tennessee River before continuing to downtown. The NPS will offer landscape architecture and overall project facilitation services to the project. Additional planning and design capacity will include assistance from local municipalities, non-profit partners, and the Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park. Once completed, several neighborhoods to the south and southwest of downtown will then be connected together by a walking and biking path for people of all ages to enjoy.
Nolichucky River Blueway
The Nolichucky River flows through seven counties in the Appalachian Mountains from North Carolina to its terminus with the French Broad River in Tennessee and features Class I to IV whitewater rapids. To improve access and safety, the Greene County Partnership is hoping a blueway plan will evaluate existing access and further guide development of a water trail on the river. An official water trail would foster a sense of connectivity and collectivity amongst the smaller river communities. Safety is paramount for the Partnership and the new plan will have a heavy focus on signage, information sharing, and educational messaging for navigation. To assist with the Partnership’s efforts, the NPS will give overall project guidance and expertise on water trail planning, help facilitate public engagement, and aid in the new organization’s development.
Pellissippi Blueway
Between Knoxville and the historic City of Oak Ridge lies the Clinch River. Honoring the Cherokee word for the river, Pellissippi, the Advocates for the Oak Ridge Reservation want to create a 26-mile water trail plan that provides for a variety of outdoor recreation. Paddling, fishing, boating, rowing, etc. are already popular on the river. With a blueway plan that outlines long-term management of the trail, the well-supported group strives for even greater recreational access while promoting safety and education through new informational materials and signage. With the NPS providing water trail plan development guidance, community engagement, and process facilitation, this beautiful section of the river will be enjoyed for future generations of outdoor recreation enthusiasts to come.
In addition to the ten new projects, RTCA will provide consulting services for communities in Mississippi, Puerto Rico and South Carolina to help them achieve their conservation and outdoor recreation visions. RTCA is also continuing a progressive relationship with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to assist devastated communities in rebuilding and recovery efforts by providing technical assistance services in Florida and Kentucky.

NPS Photo