Red Bank Community celebrates grand opening of the Godsey Ridge Trail
RED BANK, Tenn. (WDEF) – Today in Red Bank, local organizations and community members gathered to celebrate the grand opening of the Godsey Ridge Trail System.
The community joined city leaders for a ribbon cutting ceremony to officially open the new trail network, which officials say will provide more opportunities for recreation, wellness, and outdoor connection.
Eddie Kessler with Ptarmigan Trails said projects like this can make an immediate impact in smaller communities.
“This opening, this trail system, we have done a few of these in the past five to ten years, and they are always the most special when working in small communities because you really see almost immediately the benefit that a trail system can have,” Kessler said.
Red Bank Parks and Recreation Manager Jeffrey Grabe thanked the many partners who helped bring the project to life.
“We are especially grateful for our project partners. A sincere thank you to the Tennessee Department of Health and Tim King, whose diabetes grant funded this project and made it possible for the city to complete Godsey Ridge without a cent of local tax dollars,” Grabe said.
Mayor Stephanie Dalton said the project has been decades in the making.
“The city had the foresight to purchase this land some 65 years ago. Unfortunately, the cost was too high to complete the entirety of the plan at that time, so the trail system was shelved. Now, more than 60 years after first initiating plans for Godsey Ridge, we are finally making good on that vision,” Dalton said.
Residents say the new trail system fills an important need in the community.
“Yes, we live in Red Bank, so we are super excited to have somewhere close by, a new place to walk, walk our dog, and hang out. We are really excited,” said community member Lauren Zerner.
Another resident, Steven Sager, said he looks forward to using the trail for biking.
“I am really excited that there is this new trail. I am excited I can start biking to the trail and leave my car,” Sager said.
City leaders say the Godsey Ridge Trail System represents more than just a place to walk or ride.
They say it is an investment in health, connectivity, and quality of life for generations to come.
