- Interpretation of Three National Trails (Easy)
Offered Monday, June 29th and Tuesday, June 30th from 7:30 a.m.- 12 p.m.
Take part in an educational bus tour that travels along the Natchez Trace Parkway. Site One: participants will travel to the Sheboss interpretive area, which is near a historic stand along the Old Natchez Trace. The Old Natchez Trace and the Trail of Tears (Benge Route) intersect at this site. There are segments of both corridors that need to be rehabilitated. Workshop participants will perform condition assessments for each route and address both cultural and natural preservation concerns. Participants will also be canvassed for trail marking ideas and interpretative considerations. Site Two: Visit the Meriwether Lewis Death and Burial Site to review rehabilitation efforts including a new interpretive trail and rehabilitation of two miles of the Old Natchez Trace. An “Eastern Legacy” expansion of the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail will also be discussed along with a cell phone interpretive app. Workshop will include a discussion of the challenges associated with developing a new 22 mile section of the Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail, spanning north from the Meriwether Lewis site to the southern trail-head of the Highland Rim section of the trail. Led by: Greg Smith – Terry Wildy - 21st Century Challenges and Opportunities On Trails (Moderate)
Offered Monday, June 29th and Tuesday, June 30th from 7:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Participate in the development of the Natchez Trace Parkway Association’s Trail Fit program. Participants will engage in a hydration study while hiking on a 1.5 mile section of the historic Natchez Trace and on the more strenuous trails at Timberland Park. The study will help determine the amount of water hikers should plan to consume based upon temperature, humidity, and exercise. Discussion will include the metrics being created to encourage people to use the trails to become physically fit. Led by: Dr. Tom Coates – Tony Turnbow - Cycling Safety Along the Parkway (Strenuous: recommended for experienced cyclist)
Offered Tuesday, June 30th from 7:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Participate in a cycling visibility study for the NPS, Natchez Trace Parkway Association, and Adventure Cycling Association’s pilot safety program for national parks. Participants will be provided a bike and ride a 5 mile section of the Natchez Trace Parkway to test and observe the effectiveness of various clothing colors and lighting to make cyclists more visible to motorists. Participants will also observe and note unique safety challenges and opportunities the parkway design presents for cyclists. The summary discussion at Timberland Park will also include an evaluation of the facility for the needs of cyclists and methods to encourage public awareness of safety issues. Led by: Kevin Downs – Donna Holdiness - Trail Design and Building (Moderate)
Offered Monday, June 29th and Tuesday, June 30th from 7:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Participants will learn the basics of laying out and constructing a new trail at Timberland Park, a new county-operated trail center on the Natchez Trace Parkway. Walk the pristine ridge and hollows to determine the best locations to lay out a new trail. Topics will also include plant identification and trail interpretation. Based upon conditions observed, and time permitting, willing participants will help construct new trail segments. Led by: Bob Richards
