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Our Stories.

Looking Ahead to a Bright 2026

As we close out 2025, on behalf of the Singing River Trail team and Board of Directors, I want to extend our sincere gratitude to each of you who has supported, encouraged, and believed in this vision. Your dedication and commitment have helped bring the Singing River Trail to life in meaningful ways this past year, and we are deeply thankful. 

We began 2025 with fresh perspective, renewed energy, and a bold vision for the future. New leadership and new beginnings often come with equal parts excitement and uncertainty, but they also create opportunity. Our goal from day one was clear:
to put trails on the ground, activate them for public use, and establish the Singing River Trail as a catalyst for connection, growth, and forward-thinking development across North Alabama.

Looking back over the past twelve months, I am incredibly proud of what our team, board, and communities have accomplished together. Across more than 220+ miles, from Bridgeport to the Shoals, real progress has been made, and that momentum is carrying us confidently into 2026.

This year brought several important milestones:

• A stakeholder gathering that introduced our team and shared the year’s vision
• Activation of the Singing River Trail’s first official trail segment along the Richard Martin Trail from Athens to Elkmont to the Tennessee state line
• Beta testing and installation of the first Singing River Trail Augmented Reality Trail Guide at Ditto Landing.
• Fabrication of trail signage for Swan Creek Greenway and Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge, set for installation in early 2026
• Our first trail groundbreaking in downtown Leighton, connecting historic places and people
• Completion of the Jackson County Master Plan, now guiding priority projects and next steps
• Continued support from State legislators and the State of Alabama, federal legislators, local foundations, businesses, and individual champions

These moments affirm what we already know: the Singing River Trail matters. Communities see its value, not only for recreation, but for economic opportunity, health and wellness, quality of life, and connecting people to the outdoors. Trails encourage families to get outside, invite children to step away from screens, and create places where communities gather and thrive.

As we look ahead to 2026, the momentum continues to build. On the horizon is:

• A groundbreaking in Courtland for a new trail segment, further strengthening community access and placemaking
• Planning efforts are also underway for the potential expansion of our western route through Florence
• The development of a new trail corridor in Gurley
• And several additional connections, and share the road programs across Morgan, Limestone, and Madison counties

In addition, we look forward to hosting future listening sessions in DeKalb, Etowah, and Cherokee counties to evaluate opportunities for trail connectivity and community-driven planning. 

Trail building is a long game, and meaningful connectivity takes time. But momentum is built through early wins, activated spaces, and visible progress, each one laying the foundation for something bigger. The vision of stepping onto a trail in Bridgeport and traveling all the way to the Shoals, and one day beyond, connecting to neighboring states and regional trail systems, is ambitious, but achievable.

That vision is made possible by people like you, those willing to commit, stay the course, and believe in regionalism and what connected communities can become.

Thank you for walking alongside us this past year. We are excited for what lies ahead and look forward to continuing this journey together in 2026.  

We hope to see you on the trail soon, finding new ways to connect, explore, and enjoy all that North Alabama has to offer.

Wishing you a joyful holiday season and a healthy, hopeful New Year.

With gratitude,

Misti Potter, Executive Director
On behalf of the SRT Team & Board of Directors