This project combined dramatically reducing erosion
and provides hiking trails with more than 2,000
acres of wildlife corridor, said Col. Thomas Smith,
District Engineer.
“This project was created by state, local, and
federal agencies working together to create this
project,” Col. Smith said. “When you can combine
recreation and flood prevention, it makes everyone
proud.”
The need for this project was identified in the late
1980s. The Memphis District completed a two-year
reconnaissance study in 1992, and the 2000 Water
Resources Development Act authorized the
construction project.
Construction began in 2004 and a historic metal foot
bridge was recycled into this project.
Spearheading the event was Ted Fox, Shelby County Public
Works. Fox is a retired U.S. Army colonel, who
served as Memphis District Commander from 1993-95.
|
Shelby County Mayor A C Wharton (right)
acknowedges all parties involved in the
project |
Shelby County Mayor A C Wharton acknowledged the
contributions of all parties involved including
state, local and federal government offices and
conservation organizations.
He said he was delighted in the way everyone had
worked together to “… pull an 8-mile stretch (of the
river) together and make it a thing of beauty.”
Additional speakers were Collierville Mayor Linda
Kerley, Shelby County Conservation Committee
Chairman Commissioner Mike Carpenter, Chickasaw
Basin Authority Chairman Charles Perkins, and Wolf
River Conservancy Director Keith Kirkland.
|
Col.
Tom Smith, Mayor A C Wharton (middle) and
others cut the ribbon at the ceremony |
Other dignitaries who joined the speakers in the
ribbon cutting ceremony included Tennessee State
Senator and Senate Majority Leader Mark Norris; Shelby
County Board of Commissioners Chair Deidre Malone;
Shelby County Conservation Committee Commissioner,
Mike Carpenter; U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander’s Office
Field Representative, Josh Thomas; U.S. Sen. Bob
Corker’s Office Field Director, Nick Kistenmacher,;
U.S. Representative Marsha Blackburn’s Office,
Deputy Chief of Staff, Scott Golden; and U.S.
Congressman Steve Cohen’s Office Associate Director,
Kristee Bell.
The trail is open to the public beginning
today (Oct. 10). Deputies from the Shelby County
Sherriff’s Department will provide mobile security
checks on weekends only. Trails are open to
pedestrian and non-motorized vehicles only.les only.