Tennessee RiverTowns Stage 2 Resources

On this page you will find resources necessary to understand program requirements and meet benchmarks to attain Tennessee RiverTown designation. This is your Local Leadership Team’s guide to all things Tennessee RiverTowns.

This page also gives insight into the following program benchmarks: Leadership Development + Volunteer Engagement, Tennessee River Animation, Tennessee RiverLine Advocacy and Local RiverLine Development; Just follow the guidance and information below.

If you have any questions or concerns about the forms, resources or the overall program please contact Lizzy Gardner at lizzy@tnriverline.org.

Leadership Development + Volunteer Engagement

Requirement(s):

• Provide representation at the annual Tennessee RiverLine Summit from your Local Leadership Team.

• Evaluate your current leadership team and adjust membership based on anticipated needs of your community in Stage 2: Connect.

In Stage Two, your Local Leadership Team will take on more responsibility for convening partners in the community and engaging residents in the conceptual design process for trail infrastructure. In doing so, Local Leadership Teams will be asked to re-evaluate their composition according to the community’s long-term goals for their local stretch of the Tennessee River.

For more information about Local Leadership Team Audits, requirements, and paddle club development, click the resources button below!

Tennessee River Animation

Requirement(s):

• Organize one or more public recreation or leisure activities on the Tennessee River each year

• Organize one or more river stewardship activities along the Tennessee River each year.

Recreation events will continue to be a key priority in the Tennessee RiverTowns Program. These events, each held a minimum once a year, break down barriers to Tennessee River experiences for those who do not have the technical know-how, gear, or otherwise engage with the river and outdoors on their own.

Stewardship events are a resource to educate communities about the river’s ecosystems, history and culture, call attention to the impact of human activity on watershed and water resource health, and to demonstrate meaningful and measurable ways we can be active in stewarding the health of the Tennessee River and responsible outdoor recreation and leisure.

Recreation and Stewardship events will culminate in an all-community paddlefest held in collaboration between Local Leadership Teams and Tennessee RiverLine Staff by the end of Stage Two.

For more information about River Animation requirements and reporting your progress, click the resource button below!

Tennessee RiverLine Advocacy + Communications

Requirement(s):

• Collaborate with Tennessee RiverLine communications staff to develop a local marketing, promotions, and activation plan for your community water trail*

• Actively participate when needed in collaborative funding opportunities*

• Demonstrated effort to promote Tennessee RiverLine events in your community and to promote general awareness of the Tennessee RiverLine. Use of promotional toolkits made available by TNRL is highly encouraged

The Tennessee RiverLine team will support each community in this advocacy through promotion of their unique water trail and collaboration with local businesses engaged in the Tennessee RiverLine initiative. 

For more information about Tennessee RiverLine Advocacy requirements and reporting your progress, click the resource button below!

Local RiverLine Development

Requirement:

• Develop your community’s local Tennessee RiverTowns vision and master plan for water trail and river park elements.

• Maintain and Update your Local Asset Inventory.

• Develop and gain designation for your community’s Tennessee RiverLine Water Trail.

Utilizing your community’s comprehensive inventory map of amenities and infrastructure, develop a plan for Tennessee RiverLine Water Trail designation. This effort includes a master plan for water and river park amenities, short and long-term plans for water trail management, and development of a local water trail map. Communities will work with Tennessee RiverLine staff to develop their water trail and the necessary wayfinding resources. 

For more information about Local RiverLine Development and reporting your progress, click the resources button below!