In summer 2019, the Tennessee RiverLine Partnership launched the Pilot Community program, an initiative designed to gather feedback, expertise, ideas and insight of Tennessee River communities, their residents and leaders to contribute to the Tennessee RiverLine vision. Partnership members worked with Pilot Communities to facilitate engagement events, leadership workshops and launch an online survey tool, called RiverGauge, to gather feedback continues to shape the future of the Tennessee RiverLine in each community and across the region.

2019 Tennessee RiverLine Pilot Communities

From a pool of 17 applications, five communities were identified as especially capable of sharing feedback to the Tennessee RiverLine vision from the perspective of communities of different sizes, types, locations, resources and existing levels of public access to the Tennessee River. These communities offered insight to the opportunities and challenges that similar communities along the river may also experience as we develop the Tennessee RiverLine.

• Roane County, TN

• Bridgeport, AL

• The Shoals, AL (Florence-Muscle Shoals MSA)

• Benton County, TN

• Paducah/McCracken County, KY

Pilot Community Program Elements

The 2019 Tennessee RiverLine Pilot Community Program was composed of three elements:

Community Leadership Workshop: A workshop facilitated by the Tennessee RiverLine team to gain feedback from community leaders on the Tennessee RiverLine vision. Our team and selected leaders to discuss needs and priorities of each Pilot Community, identify ideas and opportunities to enhance recreation and river access, and understand how the Tennessee RiverLine Partnership can help communities realize the vision.

Tennessee RiverLine 652 to YOU: A public community engagement event held in each Pilot Community to gain feedback on the vision for the Tennessee RiverLine. Using a series of engaging activities and displays, 652 to YOU allows residents, neighbors and friends of Pilot Communities to share feedback and ideas on current river access and usage as well as express wants and needs of their community regarding the river’s economic, social and environmental development.

Following its success in summer 2019, the Tennessee RiverLine Partnership will continue hosting 652 to YOU events with communities in the future. Check back soon for details!

Online Survey, RiverGauge: An interactive survey developed by our team in collaboration with SASAKI Strategies. The survey provided all residents, leaders, advocates and river users alike an opportunity to share their ideas and feedback, when unable to attend events in person.

Momentum to Move Us Forward…

Because of the overwhelming interest received in summer 2019 through Pilot Community Program, in summer 2020, the Partnership announced its expanded initiative, the Tennessee RiverTowns Program. This voluntary, three-stage program will allow all communities to join the journey in becoming the Tennessee RiverLine.

The success of the Tennessee RiverLine is only possible through your support and participation! Join us in making the vision for North America’s next great regional trail system a reality!