Jonesborough gets community input on extending Lost Scenic Walkway trail
JONESBOROUGH, Tenn. (WJHL) —The Town of Jonesborough held a public meeting on Thursday to seek the community’s input on a proposed development.
A presentation revealed that the proposed development includes extending the Lost State Scenic Walkway recreation trail from Mill Spring Park to Stage Road Park and connecting it to the Green Hills Subdivision off South Cherokee Street.
The Town of Jonesborough is in the process of applying for a grant through the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation’s Recreation Education Services.
Jonesborough’s Parks and Recreation Capital Projects Planner Rachel Conger said the department is looking for more ways residents can have pedestrian access to parks and downtown.
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“It’s really conducive to being able to get people out in nature and enjoy the sights and sounds along the way,” Conger said. “But then also being able to take them directly to our parks and take them into the downtown district, to restaurants and shops down there.”
Conger said if they receive the grant, they plan to have a walk-to-school program and offer wildlife/bird watching through the Senior Center. They also plan to integrate the trail into the Senior Center’s walking program.
Conger said they’re working with property owners along the proposed route.
“When you’re talking about coming across private residential areas, tracts of land, folks don’t want people to be able to access their property or they don’t want a sidewalk or a trail close to their property,” Conger said. “And so educating those folks about how we can create a safe and private space for them and maintain that, while also [explaining] why it’s a good idea to provide the recreation trail, how they can benefit from it and how the community of Jonesborough can benefit from it.”
Many residents who live near the proposed route of the trail were in attendance, including, Paul Bookout who lives on Spring Street near Mill Spring Park.
Bookout asked if he would have access to the proposed trail over the railroad tracks from his home.
“Because for us living on Spring Street, I’d have to go to one park or the other to get access to it,” Bookout said. “And then again, I’m walking on the street. So, they said it’s probably not feasible to be able to do that with the railroad tracks.”
Bookout and his wife moved to Jonesborough within the last five years. He said they’re excited about the possibility of new walkways in town.
“I usually walk up to Persimmon Ridge, and now if they have that trail in, I’ll just walk back over to the other park and then just do a loop back again. So that will add a lot more distance to my walking on the trails here in Jonesborough.”
The total cost of the project is $490,000. The grant would pay for 80% and 20% would be matched by the town.
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The grant application must be submitted by May 22. The grant recipients will be notified in August. If Jonesborough receives the grant, they plan to start construction in the summer of 2025 and hopefully have it completed by September 2025.
The full proposal and presentation can be found on the town’s website at jonesboroughtn.org. Those with questions can contact Rachel Conger at 423-753-1030.
The meeting was held at the Jonesborough Visitors Center.
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