Eagle Pass Project Donates Stunning Rails-to-Trails Connection Along Cumberland River
Ashland City, Tennessee (March 11, 2026) — In December 2025, TennGreen Land Conservancy donated Eagle Pass Trail tracts to Ashland City under the leadership of Mayor Gerald Greer to support the continued development and improvement of the Cumberland River Bicentennial Trail.
This donation will benefit Ashland City by expanding public recreational space, improving trail connectivity, and enhancing the safety and accessibility of the Rails-to-Trails system.
The Eagle Pass segment connects the Cumberland River Bicentennial Trail to the US Army Corps of Engineers Lock A at Cheatham Lake and Dam. This rail-trail provides scenic views along the Cumberland River and is part of a proposed regional greenway corridor.
‘Eagle Pass connects communities to the Cumberland River’
Purchased by TennGreen in 2000 and expanded with another acquisition in 2011, both tracts are converted rail beds once used by the Tennessee Central Railroad, now providing scenic walking and biking routes on a beloved local trail.
“This project shows what’s possible when we invest in land that serves both people and nature,” said Alice Hudson Pell, Executive Director of TennGreen Land Conservancy. “Eagle Pass connects communities to the Cumberland River, honors the area’s rail history, and creates space for people to get outside and enjoy one of Tennessee’s most beautiful landscapes. We thank Ashland City, Friends of the Cumberland River Bicentennial Trail, and our many generous donors for their partnership in this wonderful achievement.”
This March, TennGreen announced publicly the conservation and continued public access of the Eagle Pass segment. “This important and beloved trail expansion will strengthen recreation opportunities and will connect more people to the Cumberland River and Cheatham Lake,” Hudson Pell added.
Conservation and History Connect Along Cumberland River Bicentennial Trail
The Eagle Pass Trail is a former Tennessee Central Railroad corridor that has been transformed into a flat, gravel trail ideal for walking and biking. Linking directly to the Cumberland River Bicentennial Trail and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Lock A recreation area on Cheatham Lake offers expansive river views and easy access to one of Middle Tennessee’s most significant waterways.
TennGreen, with the help of many donors and supporters, originally acquired the Eagle Pass property in 2000 and expanded the protected corridor in 2011, ensuring the land would remain available for public use rather than being lost to development. The project is part of a long-term vision to build a connected greenway system along the Cumberland River, creating healthier communities while conserving land that tells Tennessee’s transportation and natural history story.
“After more than a decade of owning and managing these trail segments, TennGreen is thrilled to gift both properties to the City of Ashland City,” said Christie Henderson, Deputy Director of TennGreen. “This transfer will help expand the Cumberland River Bicentennial Trail and ensure the trail section remains well maintained and available to the public.”
Located in Ashland City just northwest of Nashville, Eagle Pass provides an important recreational asset for Cheatham County residents and visitors alike. By conserving this former rail corridor, TennGreen has protected a key link in a growing regional trail network while safeguarding open space along the river.
‘Rail trails like these are more than just converted corridors—they’re gateways’
Rail trails like these are more than just converted corridors—they’re gateways. They offer safe, scenic places for people of all ages to walk, run, bike, bird-watch, or simply enjoy a quiet moment in nature. As towns around Nashville continue to grow and expand, these trails represent important opportunities to step away from the bustle of towns. They weave nature back into daily life and make the outdoors accessible to more residents.
As Tennessee’s oldest accredited statewide land trust, TennGreen Land Conservancy works across the state to conserve land where people and nature can thrive. Through projects like Eagle Pass, TennGreen protects critical landscapes, expands public access to the outdoors, and ensures special places remain part of Tennessee’s future.
TennGreen Land Conservancy is a 501(c)(3) environmental nonprofit and the oldest accredited statewide land conservancy in Tennessee. TennGreen’s mission is to conserve land where people and nature can thrive. Through sound science and partnerships, TennGreen identifies and conserves land across Tennessee for wildlife corridors, critical habitat, and public benefit. TennGreen protects, cares for, and connects people with Tennessee’s natural world by providing meaningful outdoor experiences, establishing conservation easements, supporting restoration efforts, and acquiring (or assisting in the acquisition of) privately held land.
Top Photo: Eagle Pass Trail Dedication held by Ashland City Mayor Gerald Greer and TennGreen Executive Director Alice Hudson Pell alongside TennGreen Director of Communications Jon D Bumpus.
