MICHELLE WILLARD, Post Staff Writer
Posted: Sunday, November 2, 2008 6:47 am

TMP Photo by Kelly Hite

The Murfreesboro Greenway is more than a glimpse of nature in the middle of the city as it meanders from near historic downtown to Thompson Lane where anyone can run, walk or bike along the banks of the Stones River.

“It’s not the walking, jogging, hiking and rollerblading but the picturesque places and talking with other walkers and other people who want to go out and enjoy nature. It’s the people fishing from the banks and the historic places,” explained Dennis Rainier, director of Murfreesboro Parks and Recreation Department.

The Greenway is a lot of things to a lot of people, so here’s the Top 10 (11, because we try harder) things everyone should know about Murfreesboro’s Greenway system.

1. Gateway Island is the newest addition to the Murfreesboro Park and Greenway systems.

Located between Medical Center Parkway and Old Nashville Highway, Gateway Island provides a new picturesque place for the people of Murfreesboro.

The island features picnic tables, a gazebo and a reception center, perfect for family gatherings and weddings.

“It’s really beautiful with water flowing over the weirs and how it is sided and landscaped. It just makes for a real, real pretty place for an event,” Rainier said.

The island is connected to the Greenway from the Gen. Bragg Trailhead and the Old Manson Pike Trailhead.

The Gateway Island will be open for events in late November or early December for $350 for a full day including the reception center.

Reservations for the Gateway Island are made through the main office of Murfreesboro Parks and Recreation Department, located at Barfield Crescent Park, 697 Barfield Crescent Rd., or by calling 615-890-5333 for more information.

2. Gateway Island isn’t the only destination on the Greenway.

Fortress Rosecrans is one of many historic sites along the path and is the nation’s largest restored Civil War earthen fortification.

The fort was built by the Pioneer Brigade and the Union Army of the Cumberland following the Battle of Stones River and used as a supply depot for Union troops on their march south to Chattanooga and Atlanta.

3. Cannonsburgh also serves as a Greenway trailhead for the Lytle Creek trail.

The recreated pioneer village gives a glimpse of  life in Tennessee from the 1830s to the 1930s.

Within the Village is a grist mill, school house, telephone operator’s house, the University house, the Leeman House, a museum, a caboose, the Wedding Chapel, a doctor’s office, a general store, a blacksmith’s shop, a well and other points of historic interest.

4. There’s also Old Fort Park, the newest trailhead on the Greenway, located between Kid’s Castle and the tennis courts.

The trailhead offers a new shelter with restrooms and concessions, where the public can rent bicycles and tennis racquets as well as purchase drinks and snacks.

The Old Fort Park trailhead is the beginning of a southern expansion of the Greenway to follow the West Fork of the Stones River to Barfield Crescent Park.

5. The first phase of the southern expansion will run from Old Fort Park along the Stones River to Highway 99 when it’s completed in April 2009.

The Greenway will temporarily end behind the World Outreach Church at the Cason Trailhead, which will feature three playgrounds in one, pavilions and restroom facilities.

“It’s not just walking or jogging or using the trails, but using the amenities that goes along with it,” Rainier said.

The next phase of the southern expansion will run down the banks of the river from the future Cason Trailhead to Barfield Crescent Park.

This will add another 12 miles to the Greenway system, Rainier said.

6. Parks and Recreation also plans to extend the Greenway to the north in the next few years also, called aptly the North Murfreesboro Greenway.

First Parks and Recreation will work with the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers to complete a section from the Walter Hill dam to the Coleman Farm in the northwest corner of the county.

Then another section will be completed from near Siegel Elementary School to Richard Siegel Park and across Cherry Lane to Central Valley Road.

This section will connect to the North Murfreesboro Greenway.

“It’s about the connectivity. It connects so many different parts of town,” Rainier said.

7. Not only will the Greenway eventually connect all parts of Murfreesboro, but it will also connect Smyrna and La Vergne and Nashville and Clarksville.

“Bart Gordon has the long-range dream of extending it all the way to Clarksville,” Rainier said, adding that would be about 90 miles of trails. “At some point, all these are going to connect.”

8. The Greenway may connect parts of Murfreesboro to itself, but it also connects the city to nature.

A wide variety of native tree species border the Stones River ranging from hardwoods on the higher elevations to softwoods in the low lying areas. A separate tree identification guide is available to those interested in learning more about native trees.

The forest along the riverbank attracts a variety of native songbirds. The river draws great blue heron, fish, frogs, and turtles, as well as other wildlife like rabbits and squirrels.

9. The Greenway also connects the people of Murfreesboro to each other with events and activities like Barkaroo: The Middle Tennessee Dog Festival.

The festival for canines returns to Murfreesboro’s Bark Park from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 8 at the General Bragg Trailhead, 1526 W. College St.

The day will include Mr. and Miss Barkaroo, Owner-Dog Look-A-Like, Big Head Dog, Frisbee and Best Dressed contests. Man’s best friend can participate in the Dog-Gone Walk-a-Thon or stroll through the Mutt Market featuring vendors in all areas of canine care.

The Purina Incredible Dog Team will also make a special appearance.

For more information, contact Rachel Singer at 893-2141 or rsinger@murfreesborotn.gov. Or visit www.barkaroo.com.

10. There are also annual events like the Campfire Concert Series and the Greenway Arts Festival.

With fall comes the Campfire concert series, where the public is invited to gather around a glow fire, listen to live music by local talent and roast marshmallows.

The Friends of the Greenway hold the annual Greenway Art Festival in September of every year.

The free festival features artists displaying and selling their works along the Greenway.

Trailside music, food vendors and activities for children will make this an artistic outing for the whole family.

11. As an extra tidbit, Murfreesboro built one of the first Greenways in the state.

In the early 1990s, Murfreesboro and Franklin received funds for pilot programs.

Since then many Tennessee towns, like Smyrna, La Vergne, Nashville and Gallatin have started their own greenway systems.

Michelle Willard can be contacted at 615-869-0816 or mwillard@murfreesboropost.com.