Tennessee RiverTowns Stage 2 Resources

On this page you will find resources necessary to understand program requirements and meet benchmarks to move through Stage 2 of the RiverTowns Program.

This page also gives insight into the following program benchmarks: Leadership Development + Volunteer Engagement, Tennessee River Events, Tennessee RiverLine Advocacy and Local RiverLine Development

Leadership Development + Volunteer Engagement

Requirement(s):

• Provide representation at the annual Tennessee RiverLine Summit from your Local Leadership Team.

• Evaluate your current leadership team and adjust membership based on anticipated needs of your community in Stage 2: Connect.

In Stage Two, your Local Leadership Team will take on more responsibility for convening partners in the community and engaging residents in the conceptual design process for trail infrastructure. In doing so, Local Leadership Teams will be asked to re-evaluate their composition according to the community’s long-term goals for their local stretch of the Tennessee River.

For more information about Local Leadership Team Audits, requirements, and paddle club development, click the resources button below!

Tennessee River Events

Requirement(s):

• Organize one or more public recreation activities on or along the Tennessee River each year

• Organize one or more river stewardship activities on or along the Tennessee River each year.

Recreation events will continue to be a key priority in the Tennessee RiverTowns Program. These events, each held a minimum once a year, break down barriers to Tennessee River experiences for those who do not have the technical know-how, gear, or otherwise engage with the river and outdoors on their own.

Stewardship events are a resource to educate communities about the river’s ecosystems, history and culture, call attention to the impact of human activity on watershed and water resource health, and to demonstrate meaningful and measurable ways we can be active in stewarding the health of the Tennessee River and responsible outdoor recreation and leisure.

Recreation and Stewardship events will culminate in an all-community paddlefest held in collaboration between Local Leadership Teams and Tennessee RiverLine Staff by the end of Stage Two.

For more information about River Animation requirements and reporting your progress, click the resource button below!

Tennessee RiverLine Advocacy

Requirement(s):

• Advocate, when needed to elected officials and identified partners for support in your Community’s participation in the RiverTowns Program and the Tennessee RiverLine 

• Actively participate when needed in advocacy opportunities such as providing letters of support for grant opportunities 

• Develop your community's suggested itinerary for Plan Your Journey. Utilize resources and toolkits provided to support continued efforts to promote Plan Your Journey and your community assets.  

• Promote your community's Tennessee RiverLine events and use communications to build awareness of the Tennessee RiverLine in your area. 

The Tennessee RiverLine team will support each community in this advocacy through promotion of their unique water trail and collaboration with local businesses engaged in the Tennessee RiverLine initiative. 

For more information about Tennessee RiverLine Advocacy requirements and reporting your progress, click the resource button below!

Local RiverLine Development

Requirement:

• Identify your community’s Priority Project with the Tennessee RiverLine Planning and Design team    

• Develop your community’s local vision for water trail and river park elements through the conceptual design process      

• Maintain/Update your local stretch of the Plan Your Journey interactive map  

• Develop and implement wayfinding and signage in your community

• Develop and gain designation for your community’s identified Tennessee RiverLine Water Trail sites  

Utilizing your community’s comprehensive inventory map of amenities and infrastructure, develop a plan for Tennessee RiverLine Water Trail designation. This effort includes a master plan for water and river park amenities, short and long-term plans for water trail management, and development of a local water trail map. Communities will work with Tennessee RiverLine staff to develop their water trail and the necessary wayfinding resources. 

For more information about Local RiverLine Development and reporting your progress, click the resources button below!