Overview
Shelby Bottoms Greenway is a 960-acre natural area along the Cumberland River, connected to downtown by the Shelby Street Pedestrian Bridge. Its paved and unpaved trails wind through wetlands, meadows, and hardwood forests—a rare pocket of wilderness minutes from Broadway.
Highlights
- Greenway trails: Over five miles of paved multi-use paths plus several miles of natural-surface hiking trails.
- Shelby Bottoms Nature Center: A small interpretive centre with exhibits on local ecology.
- Wildlife: White-tailed deer, great blue herons, and red-tailed hawks are regular sightings.
History
The bottomlands were farmed until the 1990s when the city acquired them for conservation. The greenway trail system was completed in phases, with the nature centre opening in 2003.
Visitor Tips
- Cycling: Rent a bike downtown and ride across the Pedestrian Bridge directly onto the greenway.
- Flooding: The bottoms flood after heavy rain—check conditions before visiting.
- Duration: 1.5–2 hours.