As part of year-long celebrations of the National Park Service Centennial, the Sierra Club is working with local communities on trail projects to connect people with nature, particularly in urban areas. There are nine projects in seven locations across the United States. Follow our multi-part series as we interview project leaders to learn more about how the projects are helping people unplug and experience nature nearby.
Part 1: Meet Brenna Kelly of the Southeast Conservation Corps, working in east Chattanooga.
Project: Connect two parcels of land between economically vulnerable communities in East Chattanooga and the Chickamauga Chattanooga National Military Park. The trail will provide access to the area's only green space.
First, paint us a picture of your community. Where is it? What’s it like?
The community and neighbors we work with are strong , but the neighborhood as a whole struggles with a high crime rate and violence, as well as being very impoverished. In addition, it is located in a part of Chattanooga that has little to no immediate recreation opportunities, and struggles with overall poor health with regards to obesity and diabetes.
How do community members connect with each other? Do they connect with nature?
One of our partners in this new trail project, the Glass House Collective (GHC), works very hard within the neighborhood to promote health and economic viability. GHC has done a great job since its inception of bringing community members together for a variety of reasons and in a variety of ways-- focusing on community health (including nature) and economic viability. GHC provides a connection to the community and acts as a catalyst for bringing Southeast Conservation Corps (SECC) into the community for projects such as this. Additionally, GHC serves as a partner for youth outreach for the teen conservation crew employment opportunities SECC offers in the summer.
Overall, I would say the community’s connection to nature is pretty low. Many of them are not aware that there is a national park literally in their backyard. I believe SECC works as a connector to nature here.
What have been some of the barriers that prevent or discourage people in the area from spending time outside?
Lack of experience, knowledge and safety issues.
Tell us about your work with the trail project. What do you have planned and how will it help area residents experience the outdoors?
SECC is working with the GHC, National Park Service, Trust for Public Land and the State of Tennessee to construct a new trail in this neighborhood. The trail will connect two Park Service units and will be walkable for neighborhood residents. The work planned for this summer is the first phase of a three phase trail system that all partners (mentioned above)we hope to have completed over the next three years. Funding outside of the Sierra Club has been acquired and additional funding avenues are being pursued for all three phases of the trail.
In your time working on this project, is there one moment that stands out for you that really illustrates the value of providing new outdoor opportunities?
I think having neighborhood youth and adults alike participate in the pre-project prep work of trash pickup has illustrated the interest the community has in the project. Many of the youth and adults are also not aware that National Park Service land is literally in their backyard, and they have expressed interest in learning about it and the new trail system to come.
This year we’re celebrating the centennial of the National Park Service, but as we look ahead to the next century, what do you hope to see when it comes to our public lands?
Personally, I would love to see additional public lands set aside for future generations not just isn remote and pristine areas, but in/ and near urban centers as well. I believe this would make parks accessible and tangible to a larger and more diverse audience.