Knoxville from the James White and Neyland Greenways

The James White Greenway begins at Governor Ned McWherter Riverside Landing Park and heads west for just less than a mile to the pedestrian bridge over First Creek where the greenway changes names to the Neyland Greenway.  The Neyland Greenway runs three miles along the Tennessee River and Neyland Drive to the University of Tennessee Undergraduate Admissions Visitor Center on the corner of Neyland Drive and Kingston Pike.  It crosses Neyland Drive twice at crosswalks and twice via underpasses.  The underpasses are located at Second Creek and Third Creek.  The route is not the most picturesque, but it does have some nice views of the Tennessee River and the bridges that cross it.  The greenway is paved with either asphalt or concrete.  A couple of portions run on sidewalks immediately adjacent to Neyland Drive, but most it provides some separation from the roadway.  Except for a short climb to the Visitor Center in the west and the two dips for the underpasses, the route is fairly level.  To reduce opportunities for vandalism, most of the directional signs are located a bit too high for easy visibility while on a bicycle.  Additional visible signage at the road crossings and underpasses would be an improvement.  Mileage is marked every ¼ mile on short posts with the zero point at the eastern end of the two greenways at Governor Ned McWherter Riverside Landing Park.  According to the markers, the total length of the two greenways is 3.85 miles.  Parking to access the greenways is available at several locations including the Outdoor Knoxville Adventure Center, the Governor Ned McWherter Riverside Landing Park under James White Parkway and a small lot near the KUB waste water treatment plant.  Although there are signs marking the greenway in several university parking lots, those lots are restricted to faculty, staff or students.  We biked both greenways in mid-July 2014.

Governor Ned McWherter Riverside Landing Park is located under the James White Parkway bridge over the river

Playground equipment in the park

The Knoxville skyline from the beginning of the greenway

The greenway squeezes between the Knoxville & Holston Railroad and Riverside condominiums

The end of the James White Greenway and the beginning of the Neyland Greenway is on this bridge over First Creek

Part of the Knoxville skyline visible from the Neyland Greenway

The greenway passes near the site of the Treaty of the Holston as depicted in this statue

Looking back at the iron Gay Street Bridge

A Norfolk Southern train crosses the river

Reflections from the water create a green hue on the underside of the Henley Street Bridge

Another view of the recently rebuilt Henley Street Bridge

Engines 1269 and 2002 of the Knoxville & Holston Railroad haul a short train

Paddleboarders near the Henley Street Bridge with the Gay Street Bridge in the background

Norfolk Southern railroad bridge

Clearance is limited as the greenway passes under the K&H RR and Neyland Drive at Second Creek

After passing parking garages and the Thompson Boling Arena,
the greenway crosses Neyland Drive at Lake Loudon Boulevard 

Riding under the CSX railroad bridge

A second look at the CSX railroad bridge

River Towne condominiums

Low clearance on the underpass at Second Creek

A miniature cloverleaf brings the greenway up from creekside to cross the bridge

The bridge over Second Creek is too narrow for meeting anyone

The second grade crossing of Neyland Drive is at the Joe Johnson Drive entrance to the University

After the final crossing of Neyland Drive, the greenway continues under Alcoa Highway toward the Visitor Center

There is no fee to walk, run, or bike any of the greenways in Knoxville.

The greenway website is http://www.cityofknoxville.org/greenways/neyland.asp.