Grant to Support Development of Technical Guidelines for Enhancing River Access, Outdoor Amenities and Community Connectivity Across the Tennessee River Valley
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — The Tennessee RiverLine, an initiative of University of Tennessee Extension, has been awarded a $500,000 Area Development grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) and Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development to support the development of comprehensive Planning and Design Standards. These standards will help accelerate the creation of new river experience amenities along the 652-mile stretch of the Tennessee River, benefitting residents and visitors throughout the region.
The 18-month project will be led by a professional consulting team in collaboration with the Tennessee RiverLine’s Planning and Design staff and network of partners. It will deliver a first-of-its-kind technical resource with planning and design recommendations that inspire and empower river communities, land owners and public land managers, and their capital project partners to develop river access areas, riverside parks, trails, campsites and more. The resource will also address shoreline stabilization, habitat enhancement and signage. The standards will guide new recreation infrastructure investments to align with industry best practices, relevant policies and the Tennessee RiverLine’s guiding principles.
“This resource will accelerate investments in amenities that enhance the quality of life, grow the region’s outdoor economy and provide healthy lifestyle opportunities,” said Brad Collett, executive director of the Tennessee RiverLine and professor at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. “It also brings innovative thought leadership to rural and distressed communities that may not otherwise have access to such creative capacity, demonstrating our commitment to equitable river access and resource stewardship.”
The project will help underserved populations by offering infrastructure design recommendations that overcome barriers to river access and support sustainable recreation development in rural areas. Additionally, the initiative aligns with UT’s mission as a modern land-grant institution, offering innovative solutions to regional challenges through collaboration and thought leadership. This mission aligns with ARC’s commitment to building community capacity and strengthening economic growth in Appalachia.
“At ARC, we know that connecting our Appalachian communities through outdoor recreation opportunities boosts local tourism, supports the hospitality industry and accelerates business development for gear manufacturers and outdoor tour companies,” said ARC Federal Co-Chair Gayle Manchin. “Having experienced the Tennessee RiverLine firsthand, I have no doubt that this project will not only attract visitors to the towns along the Tennessee River but will catalyze greater economic growth for the entire Appalachian region.”
The Tennessee RiverLine is an initiative of UT Extension, with principal partners UT Knoxville and Tennessee Valley Authority, and is a continuous system of outdoor recreation experiences along the Tennessee River’s 652-mile reach. The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture is comprised of the Herbert College of Agriculture, UT College of Veterinary Medicine, UT AgResearch and UT Extension. Through its land-grant mission of research, teaching and extension, the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture touches lives and provides Real. Life. Solutions. to Tennesseans and beyond.
For more information about the Tennessee RiverLine, visit www.tennesseeriverline.org.