Tennessee
Riverline Visited Bridgeport
By
Bonita Wilborn
Members
of the Tennessee Riverline Project visited Bridgeport to explain its unique
physical and cultural aspects, and discuss with those present how they can make
better use of their riverfront area.
Professor Brad Collett and a team of 15
graduate students, studying in the field of landscape architecture, at the
University of Tennessee, came to Bridgeport in a site visit on Thursday,
September 12, 2019.
During
this visit, the students, Mayor David “Bubba” Hughes, and the Bridgeport team
explained the unique physical and cultural aspects of Bridgeport, its heritage
and some of the visions for the community. After this briefing, the
students had the opportunity to visit the ferry boat park/ boat launch, the old
launch, and the walking bridge.
Bridgeport
is one of five cities on the Tennessee River chosen to take part in the project
focused on increased recreational and economic development opportunities along
the river. The students will help develop a plan to take advantage of the
opportunities while protecting the heritage and the environmental health of the
river near Bridgeport.
Tennessee
Riverline is the group behind a multi-state project to develop recreational,
environmental, and economic opportunities along the Tennessee River. They hosted public events in five communities
across Tennessee, Alabama, and Kentucky throughout July, August, and September.
Members
of the Tennessee RiverLine Partnership, including representatives from the
University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee Valley Authority, Tennessee State
Parks, and The National Park Service, met with community members to learn about
how communities use the river and to receive feedback and ideas for the
direction of the project.
Known as the Tennessee RiverLine, the project will create a continuous 652-mile system of paddling, hiking, and biking trails that connect communities along the Tennessee River from Knoxville, Tennessee to Paducah, Kentucky. The project aims to celebrate the river, connect people and communities, and create opportunities for economic development and healthy lifestyles in Tennessee River communities.
“We seek to learn about the challenges and opportunities these communities have with the river,” said Brad Collett, director of the Tennessee RiverLine Partnership and associate professor in the University of Tennessee’s School of Landscape Architecture. “By learning how people in Tennessee River communities use the river, we will identify the existing assets, resources, and networks the RiverLine can celebrate to improve access to the river for them and their families.”Brad Collett, Tennessee Riverline student graduates, and community members from Bridgeport
Tennessee Riverline Visited Bridgeport
