Maryville, TN — A three-mile stretch of former railway is set to be converted into a new walking trail, offering both recreational and economic benefits to the South Knoxville area. The transformation is part of a larger initiative in which Gulf and Ohio Railways plans to abandon nearly four miles of its rail line to create the “SoKno Art Walk.”
The trail will stretch from Kerns Food Hall to the Ijams Nature Center, traveling directly through the South Knoxville business district. Local business owners and residents have expressed excitement over the project, highlighting its potential to enhance the area’s walkability and attract more foot traffic to the neighborhood.
Sammy Pajcic, owner of Chopper Barbershop, believes the addition of the trail will be a boon for local businesses. “Anymore, walkability in the area is just good for business, and all the other local businesses,” he said, noting that greater pedestrian access could lead to more customers.
Noah Neagles, a worker at Hi-Wire Brewery, also spoke to the benefits of the project, which will connect communities and make it easier for residents and visitors to move about the area on foot. “It’s going to be awesome, bring in and connect communities, make it more accessible by foot,” he said.
Currently, the railway is rarely used, with Neagles pointing out that trains pass through only a handful of times, often not on a regular schedule. With the rails no longer serving a significant transportation function, their conversion into a walking trail is expected to breathe new life into the space.
The project is part of a broader wave of renovations that has been revitalizing South Knoxville in recent years. Neagles noted that efforts to improve the area have included transforming older, dilapidated buildings into community spaces. “Just turn some of those kind of a little bit of an eyesore into something that’s, you know, kind of beautiful and got a little bit more culture,” he explained.
The neighborhood has seen a rise in locally owned businesses, a trend that mirrors the ongoing physical transformations of the area. With the addition of the “SoKno Art Walk,” the community anticipates even more growth and revitalization.
For Pajcic, the improved walkability the trail offers could make a big difference for those navigating the neighborhood. “The way right now is a little bit long, and right when you get up to Chapman, it gets a little risky at the four-way intersection, so I think being behind the intersection is going to be a little bit easier,” he explained, referring to a potentially safer route that bypasses traffic-heavy areas.
As the project progresses, it is clear that the SoKno Art Walk holds the promise of not only beautifying the neighborhood but also fostering a sense of community and accessibility for South Knoxville’s growing population.
