CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – In recent weeks, County Mayor Wes Golden has discussed Montgomery County’s long-term goal for a county greenway trail, which includes the possibility of connecting the City of Clarksville Greenway to the greenway in Ashland City.
Golden spoke of the opportunity at the Mayor’s Power Breakfast this past week and expanded on the topic during an episode of Clarksville Conversations with Charlie Koon.
He explained the ongoing greenway expansion project is being supported through a grant from the Community Health Foundation. Currently, the trail is under construction near the end of Jarrell Ridge Road, and the plan is to build it out all the way down to Cheatham Dam, according to previous reports. Cheatham County’s Cumberland River Bicentennial Trail ends just east of Cheatham Dam at the Lock A Campground.
According to county spokesperson Michelle Hueffmeier, the county has completed over a mile of brush clearing at the south end of Jarrell Ridge Road. Reinforcement, paving and railing are set to follow.
Golden said he’s met with Ashland City leaders and is hopeful the two sides can come together and meet at the county line. Clarksville Now has reached out to Ashland City Mayor Gerald Greer, as well as Cheatham County Mayor Kerry McCarver.
Quality of life for residents
On Clarksville Conversations, Golden said he’s passionate about the quality of life for county residents and it’s directly tied to areas such as parks and recreation, public safety and the greenway itself. Golden said it’s important to provide residents with things to do, which is especially true for soldiers and their families, as well as when recruiting businesses with higher paying jobs.
Ideally, once the City of Clarksville finishes their portion of the expansion, the Montgomery County Highway Department will then step in and take over, Golden said. “That way we are being cost effective and keeping it in-house. … The county general (fund) can receive the funds, then we’ll pay the Highway Department to do the work.”
Eventually the plan will include culverts and walking bridges.
Comprehensive Plan
The Clarksville-Montgomery County Comprehensive Plan discusses the Clarksville Greenway and provides a map illustrating the makeup of the existing Greenway and the proposed expansion.
The existing Greenway is shown as a solid green line. Meanwhile, the proposed greenway is represented by the dotted green line.
That map indicates the Greenway going roughly along the Cumberland River to cross the U.S. 41A Bypass near Queens Bluff Way, then crossing Madison Street near Golf Club Lane, then going northwest to the south bank of the Red River.
COMING NEXT: The City of Clarksville’s Greenway expansion plans.
Chris Smith contributed to this report.