The City of Knoxville's Parks and Recreation Department will host a ribbon cutting ceremony celebrating the completion of the extension of Jean Teague Greenway on Wednesday, December 8, at 1:30 p.m.

The event will take place at the greenway's point of entry in front of the West End Church of Christ, located at 8301 E. Walker Springs Rd.

With the extension included, Jean Teague Greenway now runs from West Hills Elementary, through West Hills Park, and connects to Cavet Station Greenway on Gallaher View Rd.

"This extension has been our missing piece for a major West Knoxville greenway connection," said Joe Walsh, Knoxville Parks and Recreation Director. "Now you can go all the way from West Hills Elementary to the Carmike Wynnsong Theater completely on greenways."

With the 0.4-mile extension the Jean Teague, Cavet Station, and Ten Mile Creek Greenways now connect to make nearly 4.5 miles of linked greenways.

"It isn't just about miles, but it's also about the density of people that are impacted from this greenway addition," Walsh said.

He noted that this West Knoxville greenway connection links over 2,000 homes, several apartment complexes, several churches and many businesses to West Hills and Walker Springs parks, West Hills Elementary, the Wal-Mart/Sam's Club area, the Carmike Wynnsong Theater and the shopping centers along North Peters Rd.

The extension to Jean Teague Greenway was made possible through easements donated by both the West End Church of Christ and from the Abbona family.

"We're grateful to both parties for cooperating with the City to make this possible," said Walsh. "I think that as more people witness how beneficial greenways are to our community, we're going to see more stepping forward to contribute easements."

With several other projects underway, the City will have 50 miles of greenways by the end of 2011.

For more information on greenways, please visit call 311 www.cityofknoxville.org/greenways .