Ernie Blankenship of the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation presented the award to Mayor Victor Ashe, praising the city for developing the largest urban greenway system in the state. Knoxville now has nearly 21 miles of paved greenways throughout the city. The benefits have been tremendous through conservation of river corridors, protection of land for wildlife habitat and focus on inner-city greenway projects that enhance the cultural history of Knoxville. Named for the chairman of the Knoxville Greenway Commission, the Will Skelton Greenway extends 2.5 miles from Ijams Nature Center to the Eastern Wildlife Management Area. Skelton thanked city officials for naming the trail in his honor and credited Ashe and the City Council for securing greenway funding.
Greenways are a good way to spend our money and a great way to have fun.
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