Trail Map

First map for the kiosks.  Click on map for larger view / use magnifying glass for even greater detail.  Greenway shown in green.  The Greenway is currently 1.8 miles from Highway 41 parking lot to Shelby Soccer Field # 1 parking lot.  We expect this map to be in the two new kiosks by mid June.

April along the trail

April was gorgeous with wild flowers along the Dunnavant Valley Greenway trail.  White native azaleas were unusual.  The pink ones are found in other areas of the valley but these white ones were special.  Correopsis and Spiderwort were in bloom.  Toads and Frogs and some crawley insects were in the habitat. It is probably a good idea to put bug retardant at least on legs as the ticks are now out although I did not find any after my walk.

Wild Ginger

Wild Ginger.  Asarum arifolium.   Look at the base of the stem and the stick for the green-purplish flower which is urn shaped.  You can just make out the yellow color at the top of the flower.   The root has a ginger fragrance. This is not the seasoning ginger but some references that if boiled with sugar it makes an acceptable substitute.  Please do not pick it here though.

The back story

In 2001 a group of citizens interested in walkable communities and the outdoors, began planning for a way to have a walking trail that would allow people in the Dunnavant Valley to move without getting into cars.  

That vision spearheaded by Ward Tishler and helped by Elton Stephens, Nick Pihakis, Jackie Reynolds, and Mark Wesson started the Friends of Dunnavant Valley Greenway.  Former County Commissioner Ted Crockett lent his support and assisted in introducing the Friends of DVG to County employees who helped make the project work.  As any project with multiple landowners, organizations and government it took a number of years to detail all the issues and begin the project.  

A little later more citizens in the Valley joined in and contributed.  Jim Stephens with EBSCO has been supportive.  Finally in 2009 the trail was begun at Soccer Blast and the trail reached a parking lot on Highway 41, about 1.5 miles in length along the lovely Yellow Leaf Creek.  Others who have helped in this project include Scott Prescott, Renee Prescott, Virginia Randolph, Jeff Flannery, County Commissioner Rick Shepherd, Alex Dudchock, Eric Womack, Todd McDonald, Jim Philips, Reed Prince and others”

The Kiosks are coming!!!

Sketch of the planned kiosks for DVG trailheads below courtesy of Shelby County.

The "Master Minds"

This picture clearly shows the "Master Minds" behind the DVG madness....