Council approves Phase 4 Construction for 2.9 miles of added Greenway

The newest 2.9-mile section of the Murfreesboro Greenway on Stones River connecting at Barfield Road has been approved for construction. The City Council Ok’d Phase 4 of the Greenway Extension Thursday, May 18, 2017.  Construction is anticipated to begin this summer.

 

The extension will connect the current terminus south of the Cason Trailhead to the existing trail at Barfield Crescent Park following the West Fork of the Stones River. The project includes a small trailhead parking area at Barfield Road, a neighborhood trailhead at Southridge Subdivision, and a trailhead at Barfield Crescent Park, as well as three bridge crossings.

 

“Not only do the greenways provide recreation venues for our citizens,” said Parks & Recreation Director Angela Jackson, “They create a pedestrian transportation corridor that connects strategic sites throughout our City.  We are excited to see construction of this next phase get underway.”

 

Jarrett Builders, Inc. was awarded the contract based on the low bid of $5.4 million of four submittals.  The project will be funded through both federal and local sources.  Approximately $3.37 million in federal funding will be matched with $844,538 in 20 percent local matching funds from the City with the remaining balance from the Capital Improvement Program (CIP).

 

The Greenway Projects Committee unanimously approved the Greenway Extension, Phase 4 during its meeting April 20, 2017.

 

The Greenway has been built in multiple phases since 1996 and currently includes some 15.3 miles of trails for walking, biking and running. The trailhead and trails provide easy access to the Stones River for canoeing as well as playgrounds, picnic areas, restrooms and historic sites.

 

In December 2016, a 1.34-mile section of the Greenway System, the North Murfreesboro Greenway, opened at the Central Valley Trailhead located on Central Valley Road near Walter

Hill Dam. Constructed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the North Murfreesboro Greenway starts at Walter Hill Park on Highway 231 and heads west on the east side of the Stones River.

 

Asphalt trails feature two overlooks, a switchback, or “S-Curve” hill, and a tree-top canopy offering shade. The Central Valley trailhead boasts extended parking spaces suitable for equestrian trailers.

 

In July 2014, the City of Murfreesboro and the Corps signed a project partnership agreement to design and construct improvements to the trail system and support facilities on the upper J. Percy Priest Lake (East Fork Stones River). This project includes improvements to the Walter Hill Park trailhead, a new combined equestrian and multi-use parking facility at Coleman Farm, and a combined trail system of three miles of new trails, approximately two miles paved and one mile natural surface.

 

The project also includes a new connection point from Coleman Farm to the popular 18-mile Twin Forks Horse Trail, adding new facilities at the southern terminus of this popular trail. The horse trail has a rich history with approximately 2.5 miles being a part of the Trail of Tears, another section going through the town of Old Jefferson. The trail runs from this southern terminus to the Nice’s Mill Recreation Area with a total visitation is over 30,000 visitors a year.

 

The first 4.5 miles of greenway opened in 1996 from Thompson Lane to Cannonsburgh with help from former U.S. Rep. Bart Gordon. The City’s 25-year Greenway Plan includes another section of greenway from Siegel Soccer Complex & Community Park to link the North Murfreesboro Greenway.

 

The Greenway Projects Committee was established by resolution of the City Council May 10, 2007.