We all know that we feel better when we are able to easily exercise and spend time outside in nature. Greenways make this possible - right where people live.

The ChickChatt Greenway will link ten municipalities currently only connected by car: giving thousands of residents easy access to outdoor recreation.

Greenways are more than mere luxuries for recreation. They can actually serve as viable transportation routes: connecting people to workplaces, schools, stores, and restaurants. Building safe alternatives to driving is the most effective solution to congested car traffic.

The more people can walk or bike to their daily needs, the fewer cars are on the roads, the less parking space our towns need, and the healthier we all are.

Some municipalities have created school "bike trains" in which groups of students are able to enjoy biking to school under the guidance of dedicated adults.

We've seen it all over the country: where greenways and rail trails are built, local economies respond in a positive way.

"The Swamp Rabbit Trail has been phenomenal for the whole county, but more so for us in Travelers Rest. I can't begin to tell you how much of an economic boost it's been to this town." -Mayor of Traveler's Rest, SC

"In Tennessee and Georgia, outdoor recreation generates a total of 327,208 jobs and $34.8 billion in consumer spending. Put simply, investing in trails is a direct investment in rural towns and people. For example, Flintstone, Georgia, has struggled to support local businesses as most residents shop elsewhere on their commute. But as the first stop planned for the Chick- Chatt Trail, this community stands to see a surge in visitation, and with it, business activity and jobs." -Trust for Public Land

"Too many rural communities in Tennessee and Georgia cannot access the magnificent landscapes in their backyard, either because they are privately owned or inaccessible. They also face a dearth of parks and trails because of rural counties’ limited funding and capacity. These economic shortfalls for parks and other services are only accelerating, as Chattanooga grows into a regional commercial center, leaving surrounding communities behind. 

"The Chick-Chatt Trail will unlock the Tennessee Valley’s natural and cultural assets for everyone." -Trust for Public Land

Give people a chance to travel their region by path rather than by car and the connections multiply: neighbors greet each other outside; small businesses receive more visitors, and rural towns thrive.