Harpeth River State Park eyes new trail at Newsom’s Mill site
Officials with Harpeth River State Park held a public meeting March 12 at Montgomery Bell State Park to present plans for a proposed paved multi-use trail at the park’s Newsom’s Mill site.
Officials with Harpeth River State Park held a public meeting March 12 at Montgomery Bell State Park to present plans for a proposed paved multi-use trail at the park’s Newsom’s Mill site.
The meeting, led by Park Manager Bill Morton and Ranger Jacob Hardin, was intended to provide information and gather community feedback as the park prepares an application for funding through the Recreational Trails Program.
If approved, the $350,000 project would create a 1.75-mile paved perimeter trail designed to be fully ADA accessible, offering opportunities for walking, biking and other outdoor recreation for users of all ages and abilities.
Park officials said the project aims to expand access to the park’s natural and cultural resources while providing safe recreational opportunities in a growing area.
“Harpeth River State Park serves a large population base, and the goal is to create inclusive opportunities for visitors to enjoy the outdoors,” park representatives said during the presentation.
Established in 2004, Harpeth River State Park is a linear day-use park stretching along about 40 miles of the Harpeth River across Cheatham County and Davidson County. The park includes 12 sites across 676 acres and features four historic sites and nine river access points for boating, fishing, swimming and hiking.
According to park officials, the park recorded more than 272,000 visitors in 2024 and serves an estimated regional population of more than 770,000 people.
Trail design and construction
Plans call for a paved loop trail around the perimeter of the Newsom’s Mill property, along with interior trail connections and new parking facilities.
The design includes a 40-car parking lot with ADA-compliant access points and a paved trail measuring about 7 feet wide with an asphalt surface designed for walking and other low-impact recreational uses.
Officials said the design follows riparian buffer guidelines and avoids paving perpendicular to the river to reduce erosion and minimize maintenance needs during seasonal flooding.
The total estimated cost for construction is $348,876.
Under the proposal, 80 percent of the project would be funded through the Recreational Trails Program grant, with the remaining 20 percent provided by Tennessee State Parks.
Phased development plan
The project would be completed in multiple phases, beginning with restoration work at the site.
Phase I would focus on large-scale meadow rehabilitation, including removing invasive plant species, converting sections of the property to native grasslands and clearing debris left from former drag strip operations.
Phase II would include construction of the paved trail, parking lot and additional trail connections throughout the site.
Phase III would add a new river access point, remove existing billboards and plant a native tree buffer between the park and the nearby interstate.
Park officials also plan to incorporate bird and pollinator monitoring programs to guide long-term resource management at the site.
Recreation and programming
Officials said the paved trail would support a range of activities including walking, running, cycling and birdwatching, while also providing space for ranger-led programs such as astronomy nights, wildflower and pollinator hikes, historical interpretation and Junior Ranger camps.
The trail would also improve access to a newly acquired 144-acre tract at Newsom’s Mill, helping expand the park’s role as a regional recreation destination.
Park representatives said the project is intended to improve outdoor recreation opportunities while supporting public health, environmental stewardship and long-term conservation of the site.
Community feedback gathered during the public meeting will be considered as the park moves forward with its grant application and planning process.
