There's a reason one of Parks and Rec's favorite social media hashtags is #PoweredByPartnerships.

Partnerships are a common and significant theme for our colleagues who run the City's parks, greenways and community centers -- and all of the programs at them.

One important partnership is with Tennessee RiverLine, a project housed at the University of Tennessee that activates the land and water along the 652 miles of the Tennessee River.

Several City parks border the Tennessee River including Suttree Landing, Ned McWherter, Holston River and Lakeshore parks. Soon, all four will have facilities for putting in kayaks, canoes and paddle boards.  

A shared access grant from TN Riverline will also fund a project at Holston River Park, says Parks and Rec Director Sheryl Ely, shown right with TN RiverLine Executive Director Brad Collette and WBIR Reporter Sarah Oppmann.  
“This allows us to put a kayak launch that is accessible to all, to be able to get in and out of the river,” she told WBIR in an interview last month. 




Sheryl’s personal introduction to paddlecraft was just a few years ago; as a Legacy Parks board member, she participated in a paddle from Seven Islands State Birding Park to Cruze Landing. Since then, she’s been more curious about the connection between river and land. 

She particularly appreciates the unique perspective being on the water affords. There are some things -- flora, fauna, topography, local architecture -- that you can’t see from anywhere else but the water. 

Sheryl, who is now a certified guide and led a group of 20 women to the Nantahala and Fontana Lake, says she gets a sense of freedom and peace from paddling on the river. 

Tennessee RiverLine has connected more residents with the river through paddlesports and shoreline recreation opportunities. It has also put more awards on our colleagues' shelves: our Urban Wilderness Coordinator Wes Soward received an Extra Mile award at Tennessee RiverLine's Summit held in February. 

This award recognizes volunteers who have gone above and beyond to strengthen their communities’ connection to the river.

Congrats, Wes!


If you want to know more about the Tennessee RiverLine and recreation opportunities, visit www.tnriverline.org.