Bays Mountain Park to dedicate new legacy trail

Area riders are encouraged to attend and try out the new four mile trail

Bays Mountain Park & Planetarium plans to dedicate its newest hiking and biking trail next week.

The public is invited to attend a ribbon cutting and dedication ceremony for the new trail at 3:30 p.m. on June 3 in the overflow parking lot near the observatory. At that time, the name of the new trail will be revealed.

“This has been a project more than a year in the making, so we’re excited to be revealing the name of our new trail,” said Park Manager Megan Krager. “We believe the new trail will be one of the most popular ones at the park and we’re eager to hear what people think about it.”

To celebrate its golden anniversary in 2021, Bays Mountain Park began construction on a legacy trail in the fall of last year – one that would be the longest trail in the park (4.2 miles) and the first new one built in nearly a decade.

The trail starts near Chestnut Trail, across Azalea Trail, while running parallel to River Mountain Road and providing easier access to the fire tower. The trail takes hikers, bikers and runners along the south slope of the north ridge of Bays Mountain.

Park officials believe the new trail will help alleviate traffic from current trails, as well as add more variety and work towards creating a complete loop within the park using single track trails.

The legacy trail project cost approximately $65,000, which was made possible thanks to donations provided by Woody Reeves, Lisa Shockley, the Bays Mountain Park Association and Visit Kingsport. The trail concept and proposed design was a product of the 50th Anniversary Community Service Subcommittee’s efforts, led by Chair Tony Williams. The Community Service Subcommittee was part of the 50th Anniversary Celebration Committee.

For more information visit www.baysmountain.com.