Will Skelton Greenway has reopened this week after being closed since November as crews made structural repairs. The 3.62-mile South Knoxville greenway is one of the City’s more popular paved trails and is an integral section of the Urban Wilderness. It connects Island Home Park, Ijams Nature Center and the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency’s Forks of the River Wildlife Management Area. 

The section of repair began where the greenway intersects Alamo Avenue and travels east to one of the greenway’s pedestrian bridges along the Tennessee River. Safety and structural improvements included foundation repair of 210 linear feet of greenway, repaving of 875 feet of asphalt along the greenway and an addition of 70 feet of handrail.

The design consultant for the project was Foundation Systems Engineering; Merit Construction served as the project contractor.

Joe Walsh, Parks and Recreation Director, said the Will Skelton Greenway repair is a perfect example of why it’s essential to invest in the upkeep of the City’s existing greenway system.

“We’re always looking for ways to expand our greenways and trails system, but in order to keep the momentum and support going in the community, the City needs to ensure a safe, quality experience on the system that we already have in place,” Walsh said. “Building new trails and expanding total mileage is a major goal, but equally important is taking care of what we have.”

For more information on City greenways, visit www.knoxvilletn.gov/greenways.