The City of McMinnville has announced a strategic initiative to modernize the Bigbee River Trail and its three supporting linear parks – Rocket Park, Sally's Alley and Hobbs Park. Identified as a top priority in the City’s Parks & Recreation Master Plan, the project is the primary focus of a 2026 Federal Recreational Trails Program (RTP) grant application.

While the trail has already been assessed and professional recommendations have been provided by an expert trail building firm, the city is now moving toward the implementation phase. The core of the project involves critical safety remediation and shared use widening of the Bigbee River Trail to better accommodate both pedestrians and mountain biking enthusiasts.

"The Bigbee River Trail is one of McMinnville's greatest natural assets, and this project provides the professional grade infrastructure it deserves and needs," McMinnville Tourism & Marketing Manager Jordan Pupols said. "A primary goal of this modernization is to support the McMinnville Police Department and our emergency responders by creating a clear, accessible corridor that is easier to patrol and navigate during a crisis. We are prioritizing the safety of our trail neighbors and visitors while delivering these $125,000 in improvements at absolutely no cash cost to the city budget."

Key project highlights include:

• Support for Public Safety: Improved sightlines and wider paths to facilitate more effective police patrols and ensure a secure environment for the community.
• Faster Emergency Response: Installation of a system wide, unified wayfinding and emergency marker system to help first responders locate trail users quickly and accurately.
• Infrastructure Modernization: Replacement of an aging wood bridge with a professional, sustainable boardwalk and the repair of erosion ruts to ensure a predictable path for all users.
• Improved Access & Parking: Formalized and expanded parking facilities at Rocket Park, Salley’s Alley and Hobbs Park to eliminate congestion, prevent blocked entrances, and ensure emergency vehicles always have clear, immediate access.
• Youth Engagement: A dedicated practice loop at Hobbs Park featuring professional grade mountain biking skills features to build coordination and confidence in young riders.

Fiscal Responsibility: Zero Cash Cost to Taxpayers

The proposed $125,000 project is designed to have zero impact on the City of McMinnville’s cash budget. The city is requesting $100,000 in federal funding, with the remaining $25,000 match met entirely through in-kind contributions. By utilizing the value of existing city equipment, staff labor and community volunteer hours, the city can secure this significant investment without spending new tax dollars.

Community Feedback Requested

With professional assessments and recommendations already in hand, demonstrating community support is the final requirement to secure these federal tax dollars. The city invites all residents to review the plans and share their feedback via an online public survey, which will be submitted directly with the grant application.

The public comment period is open now and will conclude March 15.

Residents can view the project details and take the survey at: https://mcminnville-tn.civilspace.io/en/projects/connecting-mcminnville-enhancing-the-bigbee-river-trail-linear-parks-with-the-rtp-grant