The mission of Greater Memphis Greenline, Inc. (GMGI) is to promote the development of a world-class user-friendly network of integrated hiking-biking trails, parks, and greenways throughout Memphis and Shelby County. Other regions of our size, such as Denver, Nashville, Tucson, and Atlanta have irrefutably demonstrated that investments in parks, trails, bikeways and greenways provide measurable economic, health, community, educational, and environmental benefits. These have repaid initial investment and maintenance costs time and time again through increased property values, decreased health costs, economic development and enhanced quality of life.

In Memphis we are fortunate to have multiple opportunities for trails along the unused CSX Line as well as other unused train tracks (present and future), the Wolf River Greenway, the MLG&W easement system, and Nonconnah Creek. To that network, we can then include street bikeways (present and future) as well, to connect all our schools, shopping areas, and parks - in particular, to our crown jewel, Shelby Farms Park, which at present the only way to get to is by car. GMGI is pleased and proud to know that the community vision that we gave rise to and nurtured is coming to fruition with the successful outcome of Shelby County negotiations with CSX for the purchase of the western portion of the CSX line from Poplar/Walnut Grove to Farm Road at Shelby Farms Park

We are grateful to Shelby Farms Park Conservancy (SFPC) for helping fund the acquisition of the trail right-of-way and for their agreement to step up to administer the development of this section into a trail, which we hope will be open for use within the year. GMGI is confident that SFPC is the right organization to manage the trail, as they have a demonstrated commitment to public process, a proven track record in managing public property, and a strong incentive to provide safe bike and pedestrian connections to the Park. This will at the same time allow SFPC to easily incorporate access and egress from Shelby Farms Park into its Master Plan. GMGI and SFPC will partner to bring the trail to its full potential as a great urban greenway. By working together we can reach out to neighbors and citizens to determine what amenities will be included where along the trail. Together we will raise the funds and provide the legion of volunteers that will be necessary for ongoing maintenance of the trail. Our plan is to hold public meetings on a monthly basis to receive community input and generate support. Greater Memphis Greenline, Shelby Farms Park Conservancy and Shelby County Government all wish to assure everyone that providing a safe, secure trail is our number one priority. Historically, the crime rate on new and established trails either improves or remains at the rate of the neighborhood through which it passes. To be prudent, we are working with both the Shelby County Sheriff’s Department as well as the Memphis Police Department to provide law enforcement personnel and security. Plans are being developed to install motion sensor/lighting, and call boxes, if needed, and we also will be working closely with Neighborhood Associations to provide local volunteers. The trail will not be opened to the public until a security plan is in place. We would urge anyone who has not yet done so to please examine www.greatermemphisgreenline.org where we have posted a considerable bit of information on the advantages of trails to communities, including issues of security.

Obviously, this will not be inexpensive, and above and beyond what state government, Shelby County and some private foundations are contributing, we will be appealing to you for help as well on this project, and others as they come available. This arrangement will allow GMGI to continue to fulfill its broader mission to advocate for and develop other critical hiking-biking trails, parks, and greenways throughout Memphis and Shelby County. We look forward to the day when this 7-mile CSX section is just one small part of a comprehensive hiking, biking, trail, parks, and greenways system throughout this entire region, and we of the GMGI will continue to work to acquire and develop other rails and easements, as they come available.