Work continues on plan to tie recreational, other resources together with loop

New Albany city officials were scheduled to meet this week with a representative of the National Park Service to resume efforts to enhance the city’s recreational assets.

This past summer, Community Development Director Billye Jean Stroud asked for help from the Park Service. As a result, Josh Tuck, with the NPS’ Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance program, spent two days touring the city. He looked at parks and potential park areas and sought information from residents on improvements they would like to see.

The idea was to tie in his work with other comprehensive planning then being prepared by the Orion Group.

The RCTA program works with various groups to help create parks, develop trails and greenways, protect rivers and natural areas, and increase access to recreation opportunities.

During his visit, Tuck developed four main areas of interest based on comments from citizens.

One is the area containing the Park Along the River, the river itself, Tallahatchie Trails and the tennis complex.

Another is the old Wilson Street Park where the community center is off Central Avenue.

The third was the area containing B. F. Ford School and Shady Dell Park.

Last was the old park area on the north side of town between Alabama and Broad streets.

This has resulted in the design of a tentative walking or biking loop that incorporates these areas.

The proposed trail begins with a gateway near the Park Along the River entrance off Main Street. Also there would be an area designated for food trucks and vendors.

Camp Creek Branch in the park would be improved and a nature station for children possibly created at the creek.

Moving on, the Riverview stage would be improved and preferably be moved due to its location and proximity to the river.

Primitive camping could be available on the west side of the river in Tallahatchie Trails and the trail would proceed along the park, then west along I-22 to eventually connect to the health track at the hospital.

It would follow Oxford Road and West Bankhead back toward the river with another gateway at the entrance on West Bankhead to the tennis complex. A small park could be added there with games and equipment, perhaps items such as a splash pad.

The trail would continue back through town and along Madison Street to the Alabama Street park, which could have a botanical or community garden. A bike trail could extend up the closed section of North Street to the Tallahatchie River there.

The trail does not directly include the museum area but does pass in the vicinity.

The trail then moves along the Burlington-Northern rail line and then crosses Bankhead Street near the edge of the cemetery.

It winds around to B. F. Ford School, suggested to serve as a business incubator, vendor space or other use. It goes around Shady Dell Park, then winds back to include the community center on Wilson Street.

It concludes by following Central to Main and then back to the starting point at the Park Along the River.

Obviously this is just a proposal at this point but it is compatible with the comprehensive plan adopted by city officials.

There are challenges, noted by park service representative Tuck after his meetings with local interested citizens.

While much has been done with the river park area, it was noted that it still suffers from flooding, water pooling, erosion, a stage with limited usability, limited parking and accessibility problems for the able-bodies as well as the handicapped.

The Ford-Shady Dell area was seen as problematic in that it sees limited use, the park is “tucked away” and has been subject to vandalism in the past.

As for Alabama Street, he said he understands the neighbors have not welcomed suggestions concerning bringing the park back because of drug and noise problems in the past.

On the other hand, the Wilson Street area is centrally located, historic, not flood-prone, multi-cultural, used by different age groups, tied to fond memories and will be an affordable event option.

It also can easily be tied to the Tanglefoot Trail, which is not included in the trail loop.

The Tanglefoot Trail is Mississippi’s longest rail-trail, stretching 43.6 miles through the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains in the Mississippi Hills National Heritage Area. The paved trail winds through three counties and six towns—bringing with it powerful benefits for the rural southern communities it serves. The Tanglefoot Trail is built on the right-of-way of the old Illinois Central Railroad. It annually attracts cyclists and hikers from nearby cities, many U.S. states, and a significant number of visitors from foreign countries.

The meeting this week should help identify goals for the year concerning development of the trail. The NPS’ Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance program does not provide funds, but can help in trying to find financial support.