{"id":18753,"date":"2021-05-24T11:24:04","date_gmt":"2021-05-24T15:24:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/archdesign.utk.edu\/?p=18753"},"modified":"2025-01-30T11:17:15","modified_gmt":"2025-01-30T16:17:15","slug":"tn-riverline-official-launch","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/archdesign.utk.edu\/tn-riverline-official-launch\/","title":{"rendered":"Tennessee RiverLine Celebrates Official Launch"},"content":{"rendered":"
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With cheers, confetti and a christening of 60 kayaks bound for river communities, America\u2019s next great regional trail system has been officially launched.<\/p>\n

On May 21, 2021, in a celebration on the banks of the Tennessee River, the Tennessee RiverLine<\/a> launched its public phase, moving from concept to implementation.<\/p>\n

This regional initiative for a 652-mile paddle-hike-bike trail all along the Tennessee River has now moved from critical research and concept planning to public outreach, events, grants, equipment and infrastructure investment. This momentum reflects the essential support from principal partners, UT 快活视频 and Tennessee Valley Authority, and the support of many other partners.<\/p>\n

Following welcome remarks from 快活视频 Mayor Indya Kincannon, UT\u2019s Brad Collett, associate professor in the Department of Plant Sciences and School of Landscape Architecture and director of the Tennessee RiverLine, kicked off the launch celebration, which was held at Suttree Landing Park.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Tennessee RiverLine is a trail system like no other,\u201d he said. \u201cIt is an infrastructure of tourism, public health, quality of life, equitable river access, environmental stewardship, economic and community development and entrepreneurship.\u201d<\/p>\n

Since 2016, the Tennessee RiverLine has conducted critical research and concept programming. So far, 15 river communities are engaged with the Tennessee RiverLine to bring economic development, health benefits, equitable access and environmental stewardship to their citizens.<\/p>\n

TVA Vice President, Gas, Hydro and Integration David Bowling shared with an excited crowd, \u201cTVA\u2019s mission is to make the valley a great place to live, work and play,\u201d he said. \u201cTVA has been excited to be on deck for each step of the Tennessee RiverLine journey, but nothing compares to today\u2019s 快活视频 the Fleet, which celebrates Tennessee RiverLine\u2019s vision as it becomes reality.”<\/p>\n

TVA has been a supporter of the Tennessee RiverLine since 2016 and in 2021 became a principal partner with UT 快活视频. The power of partnerships makes the momentum of the Tennessee RiverLine possible.<\/p>\n

At the celebration, UT 快活视频 Chancellor Donde Plowman spoke about the power of partnerships and enriching the lives of 2.4 million people in our region.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs our state\u2019s flagship, land-grant institution, we do our best work when we work alongside and on behalf of people and communities across Tennessee and beyond,\u201d she said. \u201cThe Tennessee RiverLine demonstrates the value of investing in inspiration and possibilities.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Beyond celebratory remarks, the launch event included a “快活视频 the Fleet” celebration, which marked the granting of 60 kayaks to river communities involved with the Tennessee RiverLine\u2019s Tennessee RiverTowns Program<\/a>. These kayaks, along with safety gear and other accessories, will be available to the communities free of charge for their public events at the river, many of which have been scheduled to take place beginning this month. Other river communities will have the opportunity to apply for the Tennessee RiverTowns Program this summer.<\/p>\n

Granting the kayaks is one way the Tennessee RiverLine is making the river accessible to everyone and bringing health benefits and economic development to river communities.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe fleets of kayaks represent more than recreation gear,\u201d Collett said. \u201cThey are infrastructures of experience that unlock the economic, public health and environmental stewardship benefits promised by the Tennessee RiverLine.\u201d<\/p>\n

Equitable access to the river was put into action during the launch as many people took advantage of a paddle experience, for many, their first time being in a kayak on the river. Among the kayakers was Chancellor Plowman and UT System President Randy Boyd.<\/p>\n

In addition to granting equipment, the public phase of the Tennessee RiverLine includes public programming and vision implementation through infrastructure investment. This spring, the Tennessee RiverLine helped two Tennessee River communities earn $100,000 in Tennessee Department of Health grants to begin master planning of Tennessee RiverLine investments. It also formed an historic collaboration with the Singing River Trail to support the development of a 150-mile greenway system along the Tennessee River in North Alabama.<\/p>\n

Through grants, equipment, programs and support, the Tennessee RiverLine is bringing a diversity of people across four states closer to the beloved waterway.<\/p>\n

Watch a video from the launch event.<\/h3>\n