KNOXVILLE, Tenn., July 24, 2019 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Joe Wheeler State Park officials along with representatives from the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) recently announced the construction of a new 8-mile bike and hiking trail at the North Alabama park.
The Joe Wheeler State Park Scenic Trail will increase the park's hiking and biking network to more than 12 miles and is expected to draw in runners, hikers and mountain bikers from across the southeastern region of the United States. Several bridges will be constructed along the east bank of First Creek inside the park. Joe Wheeler State Park currently has two hiking/biking trails, both approximately 2.5 miles. One is located between the Day Use Area and Resort Lodge with another 2.5-mile loop at the Southside Cabin Area, accessed from Alabama Highway 101 near Wheeler Dam.
"The Alabama State Parks Division appreciates the cooperation of the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs and the TVA in helping us make this new amenity available for our visitors," said Rob Grant, assistant director of the Alabama State Parks Division of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, during the groundbreaking ceremony that took place Thursday, July 11, 2019, at the First Creek Boat Launch. "Mountain bikers and hikers have found our state parks to be great places to enjoy the outdoors and we're sure this new trail will attract lots of visitors who haven't been to Joe Wheeler State Park."
Also on hand for the ceremony were TVA Recreations Agreements Specialist Derek South, Rogersville Mayor Richard Herston, Lauderdale County Commission Chairman Danny Pettus, Lauderdale County Commissioner Brad Holmes, Joe Wheeler State Park Superintendent and Parks Northwest District Superintendent Chad Davis and Alabama State Park Northeast District Superintendent and Parks Trails Coordinator Ken Thomas.
The new trail will be built using $105,000 in grant money from the Recreational Trail Program and the TVA. Part of TVA's mission is to make life better for the people of the Tennessee River Valley through maintaining beautiful reservoirs, campgrounds, 170 miles of trails, whitewater streams and 293,000 acres of developed and undeveloped lands for the public to enjoy.
Wheeler staff will handle most of the construction of the trail. The project is expected to be completed in six months.
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For more information on TVA, its trails or other outdoor recreation, visit online at:
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SOURCE Tennessee Valley Authority
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