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The Greenways and Trails program is here to encourage Tennessee communities to save their special green spaces, to promote the volunteer spirit of Tennesseans and to work to preserve and conserve the natural and cultural resources that make each community in our state special.

Trail of Tears Comprehensive Master Plan

The Greenways and Trails Program Coordinator is initiating a public input process for the development of a Trail of Tears Comprehensive Master Plan for the Tennessee portion of the Trail of Tears National Historic Trail.  The Trail of Tears commemorates the removal of the Cherokee Indian Tribe from North Carolina, Georgia, North Alabama and Tennessee in 1838-39.  The Cherokee people were driven from their homes at gunpoint, herded into internment camps in southeast Tennessee, and moved in sixteen detachments of 1,000 tribe members along primarily the Northern route, water route, Bell route, and Benge route through Tennessee.  The tribes made the journey to new Indian Territory in what is now the State of Oklahoma.  It is said that 4,000 women, children and older men died along the Trail of Tears in the Fall of 1838 and the winter of 1839.
 
Please fill out the public input form and fax or e-mail your comments here.  Thank you for participating in this project and your thoughts, feelings and opinions are appreciated and will be considered in the development of the Comprehensive Master Plan.  Deadline to receive comments is November 30, 2008.

The Greenways and Trails program is here to encourage Tennessee communities to save their special green spaces, to promote the volunteer spirit of Tennesseans and to work to preserve and conserve the natural and cultural resources that make each community in our state special.

Greenways have been defined in the Tennessee Greenways and Trails Plan as linear open spaces established along either a natural corridor, such as a riverfront, stream valley or ridgeline, or overland along a railroad right-of-way converted to recreational use, a canal, scenic road or other route.

Greenways can be any natural or landscaped area that allows for pedestrian or bicycle passage; an open-space corridor that can link parks, nature preserves, historic or cultural features, schools and neighborhoods with each other. Greenway trails can be used for alternative transportation, recreation and health/fitness activities.

Please contact the Tennessee Greenways and Trails Coordinator via this webpage if you have questions or need assistance with greenway planning, trail construction or other natural resources related issues.