District Digest News Stories

Nashville District unveils its newest mountain bike trail at Old Hickory Lake

Nashville District Public Affairs
Published Nov. 3, 2012
Old Hickory Lake Resource Manager Crystal Tingle presents volunteers that contributed to the construction and completion of the Shutes Branch Mountain Bike Trail a certificate of appreciation during the Shutes Branch Mountain Bike Trail’s Grand Opening on Saturday, Nov. 3, 2012, Old Hickory Lake (USACE photo by Amy Redmond)

Old Hickory Lake Resource Manager Crystal Tingle presents volunteers that contributed to the construction and completion of the Shutes Branch Mountain Bike Trail a certificate of appreciation during the Shutes Branch Mountain Bike Trail’s Grand Opening on Saturday, Nov. 3, 2012, Old Hickory Lake (USACE photo by Amy Redmond)

A cyclist rounds a corner on the officially opened Shutes Branch Mountain Bike Trail after the grand opening celebration on Saturday, Nov. 3, 2012 at Old Hickory Lake (USACE photo by Amy Redmond)

A cyclist rounds a corner on the officially opened Shutes Branch Mountain Bike Trail after the grand opening celebration on Saturday, Nov. 3, 2012 at Old Hickory Lake (USACE photo by Amy Redmond)

of the Friend’s of Shutes Branch lead a group of cyclists on the trail’s first official bike ride immediately following the trail’s ribbon cutting during the Shutes Branch Mountain Bike Trail Grand Opening on Saturday, Nov. 3, 2012, Old Hickory Lake (USACE photo by Amy Redmond)

of the Friend’s of Shutes Branch lead a group of cyclists on the trail’s first official bike ride immediately following the trail’s ribbon cutting during the Shutes Branch Mountain Bike Trail Grand Opening on Saturday, Nov. 3, 2012, Old Hickory Lake (USACE photo by Amy Redmond)

(left to right) Crystal Tingle, resource manager at Old Hickory; Steve Capps, member and current friend’s group coordinator; Tommy Hatcher, member and former friend’s group coordinator; Charlie Capps, friend’s group member; and Eric Fisher, friend’s group member cut the ceremonial ribbon at trailhead to the Shutes Branch Mountain Bike Trail during the grand opening celebration on Saturday, Nov. 3, 2012, Old Hickory Lake (USACE photo by Amy Redmond)

(left to right) Crystal Tingle, resource manager at Old Hickory; Steve Capps, member and current friend’s group coordinator; Tommy Hatcher, member and former friend’s group coordinator; Charlie Capps, friend’s group member; and Eric Fisher, friend’s group member cut the ceremonial ribbon at trailhead to the Shutes Branch Mountain Bike Trail during the grand opening celebration on Saturday, Nov. 3, 2012, Old Hickory Lake (USACE photo by Amy Redmond)

Old Hickory Lake Resource Manager Crystal Tingle honors the Friends of Shutes Branch, a mountain biking interest group, responsible for the planning, design, construction, and maintenance of the 7.9 mile Shutes Branch Mountain Bike Trail with a commemorative plaque that will be displayed on a bench located at the trailhead.   Steve Capps and Tommy Hatcher, members of the friend’s group, receive the honor at the grand opening celebration on Saturday, Nov. 3, 2012, Old Hickory Lake (USACE photo by Amy Redmond)

Old Hickory Lake Resource Manager Crystal Tingle honors the Friends of Shutes Branch, a mountain biking interest group, responsible for the planning, design, construction, and maintenance of the 7.9 mile Shutes Branch Mountain Bike Trail with a commemorative plaque that will be displayed on a bench located at the trailhead. Steve Capps and Tommy Hatcher, members of the friend’s group, receive the honor at the grand opening celebration on Saturday, Nov. 3, 2012, Old Hickory Lake (USACE photo by Amy Redmond)

OLD HICKORY, Tenn. (Nov. 3, 2012) – Cheers and applause were heard from an on looking crowd as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District and members from the Friends of Shutes Branch cut the ceremonial ribbon during the Shutes Branch Mountain Bike Trail Grand Opening at Old Hickory Lake.

Thanking the volunteers who worked on the trail, Crystal Tingle, resource manager at Old Hickory Lake, presented each volunteer in attendance a certificate of appreciation.  

“There is no way that we were able to create this trail without the help and the support of all the volunteers that worked on it,” said Tingle. “We had over 120 volunteers that worked on this trail and countless hours.”  

Bestowing special recognition to the Friends of Shutes Branch, a mountain biking interest group responsible for the planning, design, construction and maintenance of the 7.9 mile serpentine trail, Tingle honored the group with a commemorative plaque that will be displayed on a bench located at the trailhead.

Tommy Hatcher, member and former group coordinator for the Friends of Shutes Branch, said he was grateful to have the Corps of Engineers recognize the group for its work.

“It is a real testament to people who give up, you know, their free time and spare time and don’t ask anything for it except the joy of coming into the woods and having a good time,” said Hatcher.

Following the ribbon cutting, members of the Friends of Shutes Branch led a group of riders on the trail’s first official bike ride.

Steve Capps, member and current group coordinator of the Friends of Shutes Branch, said he is proud to have had a hand in the trail’s creation because the trail is a great addition to the recreational opportunities at Old Hickory Lake.

“The Shutes Branch Bike Trail has benefited the local biking community by having a local trail. We use to have to drive 30 minutes to an hour to the nearest trail in Sumner, Smith or Davidson County.  Now we have a local trail,” said Capps. “And, the area use to be unused and kind of neglected and now it’s being used by dog walkers, people with kids on their little bikes, women with strollers, joggers, and trail runners, as well as, the mountain bike community.”

For more news, information and updates please follow the Nashville District on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/nashvillecorps and Old Hickory Lake at http://www.facebook.com/oldhickorylake.