For immediate release May 1, 2006

LEARN MORE ABOUT GREENWAYS AND TRAILS AT UPCOMING WORKSHOPS
CREATING HEALTHY COMMUNITIES IS THE FOCUS OF NASHVILLE AND CHATTANOOGA EVENTS

Nashville, Tenn. - The Department of Environment and Conservation and the Commissioner's Council on Greenways and Trails will host two upcoming workshops entitled "Greenways and Trails: Healthy Challenges." Workshop dates are Monday, May 15, at Scarritt-Bennett Center in Nashville and Friday, June 2, at the Chattanooga Theatre Centre.

The focus of the workshops is on using greenways and trails to create healthy communities and places for citizens to improve their physical fitness.

Each workshop will include presentations and an afternoon field trip. Nashville participants will visit the Richland Creek Greenway, and Chattanooga participants will tour the Chattanooga and Hamilton County Greenways and Trails systems. A $65 fee includes lunch, transportation to the greenway tour and a binder of Greenways and Trails resources. Registration is required and enrollment is limited.

Full agendas and registration forms are available online at www.tdec.net/recreation. Look for the box entitled "Greenways and Trails Workshops" on the right side of the page.

Greenways are linear open spaces established along either a natural corridor, such as a riverfront, stream valley or ridgeline, or overland along a railroad right-of-way converted to recreational use, a canal, scenic road or other route.

Greenways can be any natural or landscaped areas that allow for pedestrian or bicycle passage; an open-space corridor that can link parks, nature preserves, historic or cultural features, schools and neighborhoods with each other. Greenway trails can be used for alternative transportation, recreation and health/fitness activities.

Following on the heels of the workshops will be National Trails Day, which is Saturday, June 3, 2006. In keeping with the spirit of volunteerism for which Tennessee is known, the Council on Greenways and Trails encourages citizens to contact a nearby municipal, state or federal park to see about participating in National Trails Day activities.

For questions or additional information about the May 15 or June 2 workshops or National Trails Day, please contact Greenways and Trails Coordinator Bob Richards at (615) 532-0778.

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