Pigeon Forge’s long awaited greenway expansion (phase 2) is all but complete announced Pigeon Forge’s Director of Parks & Recreation John Wilbanks. The greenway was first proposed way back in 1999 and the first section surrounds the Pigeon Forge Community Center. The only item remaining for the new phase two is some minor landscaping. The paved trail, which is lighted allowing night time use, meanders for 4,400 feet along the river towards the Old Mill area near Patriot Park. Natural vegetation and man-made landscaping makes the trail scenic as well as enjoyable and is truly a major asset to the city. Not only does this trail preserve the land but also provides visitors and residents alike the opportunity for health exercise. Grants from the U.S. Department of Transportation as well as the Department of Conservation totalling over $1.2 million provided funding for this project. The next phase of the trail, already funded, will extend the greenway past Patriot Park down to Jehu Drive extending the trail over a mile, some 5,500 feet.

This Pigeon Forge project is part of a larger effort by Sevier County to have a system of greenways that will eventually extend all the way from Sevierville to Gatlinburg which is naturally a very ambitious plan. Gatlinburg and Sevierville already have good greenway trails that will eventually (hopefully) connect with the Pigeon Forge trail. As our community grows, it must also strive to be forward thinking in our efforts to keep the area attractive both for tourists and local citizens. The Pigeon Forge greenway is a major step in this very noble effort – Congratulations PF!!