Franklin residents and visitors will soon be able to traverse the Harpeth River from the Park at Harlinsdale Farm and utilize an existing walking trail in the Chestnut Bend neighborhood, connecting significant portions of Franklin’s trails and greenways system.
In anticipation of the start of bridge construction in early 2023, Friends of Franklin Parks and a host of partners have completed the trailhead within the Chestnut Bend neighborhood.
Once connected to the new bridge, the trailhead will allow for pedestrian connections from Downtown Franklin to Cool Springs via sidewalks and bike trails. This trail extension adds approximately one mile to the Franklin Trail system and will also connect Bicentennial Park to The Park at Harlinsdale Farm.
New mile markers and signs with the Franklin Trails logo have recently been installed, thanks to the City’s Parks Department. A ribbon cutting was held last week to mark the occasion.
Connectivity has been a key priority in recent years for the City of Franklin’s Parks Department and the non-profit Friends of Franklin Parks. A few years ago, Friends of Franklin Parks, the Chestnut Bend Homeowners Association, the City of Franklin and Williamson County came to a lease and maintenance agreement to facilitate the trailhead and bridge across the Harpeth to the Park at Harlinsdale Farm.
“As a neighborhood that is blessed with an existing trail system that connects us to this side of the river, we want to be a great community partner and steward, so this just made good sense,” says John Jackson, president of the Chestnut Bend Homeowners Association. “We recognize what it means to our quality of life, but also to everyone who wants to be able to walk and bike around town instead of getting into a car.”
For more information, visit franklintn.gov.
