Shoals RiverTown
The Tennessee RiverLine is a vision for a continuous multimodal system of trail experiences along the Tennessee River from its formation in Knoxville, Tennessee, to its confluence with the Ohio River in Paducah, Kentucky — a 1.2-million-acre system of outdoor recreation experiences on and along the 652-mile reach of the Tennessee River. Winding through four states and dozens of communities, the RiverLine invites people of all backgrounds and abilities to connect with the river through paddling, hiking, biking, fishing, birding, camping and more. It reframes the river and its surrounding landscapes as a continuous river park for exploration, health, learning and connection—welcoming everyone to experience the beauty and richness of the Tennessee River Valley. The RiverLine organization—a regional partnership led by UT Extension at the UT Institute of Agriculture–in collaboration with principal partners UT Knoxville and Tennessee Valley Authority supports & connects communities through planning and design, programming and events, communications and marketing, and shared resources.Â
The RiverTowns Program is the heartbeat of the Tennessee RiverLine—a framework for collaboration to achieve a shared vision. Exercising the power of partnerships, the program inspires and empowers a growing network communities along the river working together to celebrate, protect and activate one of our region’s greatest natural and cultural resources. MSNHA partners with the Tennessee RiverLine to help support & work with the Shoals RiverTown. Within this partnership, MSNHA sponsors & organizes programs and projects focusing on river accessibility, outdoor recreation, research, planning, sustainability & responsible tourism. Within MSNHA’s six counties are two other RiverTowns: Decatur and Lawrence County.
Each RiverTown is part of a shared journey to transform the Tennessee River into a continuous system of outdoor recreation experiences. Through collaborative planning, community engagement and support from the Tennessee RiverLine team, RiverTowns explore new possibilities for river access, trails, parks and public spaces that reflect local pride & invite everyone to connect with the river. From small towns to urban centers, participating communities are seeing big impacts: improved quality of life, increased tourism, economic development and stronger connections to their river heritage. The RiverTowns Program empowers local leaders, celebrates community identity and helps ensure that river experiences welcome all—for generations to come.
Info from https://www.tnriverline.org/
Images from MSNHA archives & photo contests