Hendersonville board approves trails expansion

By Joice Anderson Jeffries
Diversity Institute Fellow

08.06.03

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Bike and walking trails will be built in Hendersonville to connect retirement centers and schools to local recreational areas.

The ordinance approved Tuesday night at the Hendersonville Board of Mayor and Aldermen’s meeting will cost the city about $62,000.

More than a mile and a half will be added to the existing trails, which were part of beautification plans added a couple of years ago. Residents will be able to walk, rollerblade and jog between Nannie Berry Elementary, Ellis Middle and Hendersonville High schools to Memorial Park and the Drakes Creek Park Athletic facility.

All areas are accessible from Gallatin Road, which is also called Main Street.

Planning Director Fred Rogers said the city will advertise for bids, start the construction and finish in about 15 months.

“I think it’s a good thing,” said Rachel Mitchem, 30, a stay-at-home mom. “It gives people a safer place to ride and walk.”

The areas slated for beautification are within walking distance to Old Hickory Lake.

“Of course you have a lot of geese, ducks, squirrels, rabbits and trees in the area,” said Hendersonville resident Danielle Allen.

The state will pay 80 percent of the cost and the city will absorb the rest, said Kay Franklin, administrative assistant to the board.

The board’s decision to add the bike and walking trails seemed to be part of a theme on Tuesday as the board considered a number of issues designed to beautify the city.

In other action, board members voted to:

• set up a historic and landmark commission to preserve historic landmarks.
• create new streets in Hidden Point and Chesapeake Harbor subdivisions once the developments are 75 percent completed.
• build a new post office possibly on the old Hawkins School site, located at Campus Drive.

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Articles, photos by Summer 2003 Diversity Institute Fellows
Collection page for articles  07.29.03