FEATURED RECREATIONAL TRAILS PROGRAM PROJECT
Big Cypress Boardwalk, Tennessee T
he Big Cypress Boardwalk is a scenic trail amidst the water- shed of the Obion River in the northwest corner of Tennessee. The 1,142-foot-long accessible raised walk- way takes visitors into the seasonally .38-mile-long. Both trails are acces- sible for persons with disabilities and encourage use by families and people of all ages. Rest stops with benches are spaced every 300 feet for resting and enjoying the surroundings. A partnership between the State’s
Recreational Trails Program (RTP) and the Friends of Big Cypress Tree State Park made the trail projects possible. The matching funds for the grant were contributed by the Friends, who had been saving most of their contributions for many years for this purpose. Volunteer groups like the Friends, Girl and Boy Scouts, as well as individuals help with maintaining the trails and boardwalk. Tennessee State Parks provides funds, equipment, and labor to maintain
other facilities and for further im- provements. The boardwalk provides safe access into a beautiful bald cypress forest, while reducing impacts to the habitat. Visitors can pursue a variety of interests: to see and hear birds, ex- ercise, take photos, identify trees, and take guided hikes to learn about the park’s history and natural features.
RTP Project Funding
RTP funds: $267,120 Match funds: $96,780
as well as Weakley County have the park’s boardwalk.
38 SPRING 2016
AmericanTrails.org
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