The Singing River Trail

Alabama has abundant natural beauty, and all over the state, new paved trail systems are inviting people to get outside for a walk, run or bike ride and take full advantage of our outdoor assets. In North Alabama, the Singing River Trail is currently in progress and will be the area’s longest trail/greenway, connecting Limestone, Madison and Morgan counties. We asked Executive Director Dr. John F. Kvach to shed some light on the project.

What was the initial inspiration for the Trail? SRT came from a regional vision that wanted to connect both campuses of Calhoun Community College in Huntsville and Decatur. It grew from there into a 70 mile/three-county vision. Since taking over as the Executive Director, I have expanded that plan into a 150 mile greenway and blueway (using Tennessee River).

What is the Trail’s primary purpose? The Singing River Trail will become a center of physical, emotional, and mental health and wellness, a place of learning and exploration, an economic driver for individuals and communities, and a leader in tourism in Alabama.

What will its main benefits be? We are going to build a world-class greenway system that connects the people and places of North Alabama together and let them see what can be done when we work together. This trail will allow people to get outside but also allow them to start a business or find a new hobby or passion along the Singing River Trail.

Will all of the Trail be bike and foot-traffic only? NO CARS!!! Just people on foot or bike.

What, in your opinion, will be some of the highlights of the Trail once complete? Living in a state that seems to have cornered the market on being 49th in many categories, I believe that we can become leaders in greenway usage, civic pride and economic development using our outdoor assets. We are better than our past; our future is much brighter working together, and this project will find North Alabama using a ribbon of greenway.

How much more do you expect to complete on the Trail in 2021? It is hard to tell, but if I was a betting man (I'm not), I would say we have three more areas that will be under way sooner than later.

What drew you to take your position and work with the Trail? My parents taught me to believe in myself and dream big. I was a professor of Southern history for 10 years, and it bored me to work in an atmosphere that measured progress in inches. I turned 50 this year and wanted to measure progress in miles and leave a legacy that will make Alabama a better place.

A Old Song
The Singing River Trail takes its name from what the area’s Native Americans called the Tennessee River. They gave the waterway this name because they believed the lyrical sounds