City of Knoxville Mayor Madeline Rogero and Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Monday to celebrate the opening of Loves Creek Greenway.

The approximately half-mile, crushed limestone trail begins at Knox County's Spring Place Park, 5201 Parker Dr. This is the first phase of a long-term plan to connect Spring Place Park to Knoxville Center Mall, and ultimately to New Harvest Park.

"This was a tag-team project with multiple City and County departments. We're grateful to Knox County for partnering with us on this trail and for seeing the value that greenway connections offer our community," said Mayor Rogero.

City crews built the trail in-house for an estimated $35,000 on the Knox County property that resides within City limits. Inmates from the Knox County Work Release Center cleared brush while Knoxville's Public Service Department executed all other construction.

"The Loves Creek Greenway will not only provide another option for families who are looking for opportunities to stay active, but it will eventually serve as an important connector linking the Chilhowee and Holston Hills communities with Knoxville Center Mall," said Mayor Burchett.

The new greenway is part of a 10-year City/County Greenways Master Plan, monitored by Knoxville Parks and Recreation Director Joe Walsh, and Knox County Parks and Recreation Director Doug Bataille.

It is the first project under City Parks and Greenways Coordinator Lori Goerlich, who oversaw construction of this initial phase of Loves Creek Greenway.

For more information on Loves Creek Greenway, please call 311 or visit http://knoxvilletn.gov/cms/one.aspx?portalId=109562&pageId=211356