Dyersburg will become the newest chapter of the Tennessee Trails Association this fall. A meeting hosted by the Parks & Recreation Department and state TTA officials on May 20th drew a number of area hikers, runners, and outdoor enthusiasts. At the conclusion of the meeting, a decision to proceed with the formation of a Dyesrburg chapter was made and seconded.  Joe Hayden offered to temporarily act as Chapter Chairperson, and is scheduling a followup meeting on June 10th. Joe can be contacted via email at joehayden@bellsouth.net . Information will also be available through the Dyersburg Activity Center at 731-288-2564. New members are welcome, and can join the chapter by contacting Joe, or visiting the Tennessee Trails Association website at www.TennesseeTrails.org .

Presentations by Parks Director James Johnson, and Newbern Mayor Jim Stark pointed out that Dyersburg and Dyer County have a number of existing trails, some in the vicinity of the Mississippi River, as well as several in the Forked Deer watershed. Virtually all of the trails offer both scenic and wildlife hiking possibilities. THe Dyersburg TTA chapter will initially focus on maintaining and upgrading the existing trails, exploring ways to connect existing trails and incorporating the planned Downtown Riverpark into the trail structure, and most importantly, making the public aware of both existing and potential hiking and nature exploration opportunites in the Dyersburg/Dyer County area.

The chapter will offer both local hikes and hiking opportunites, as well as making members aware of other opportunites, such as the hiking schedule of the Memphis Chapter, information on the Cumberland Trail, Meeman-Shelby Forest, the Tennesse Hiking Guide, and other information of general interest to hikers and nature enthusiasts.