Waterworks Connector - Museum Trail Phase 2 - Opens
October 25, 2023
Following a ribbon-cutting ceremony, Phase 2 of the Museum Trail, the Waterworks Connector - a vital section of the trail’s development that connects thousands of residents in Jackson to the Lefleur Museum District - officially opened today.
It was earlier this summer that donors, volunteers, businesses, and non-profit organizations who have been instrumental in the development of the Museum Trail, Jackson’s longest multi-use urban trail, gathered for the groundbreaking of the area so named for its location along the "Waterworks Curve" of I-55.
“If you look closely at examples like the Beltline in Atlanta, it becomes obvious that a thoughtfully planned network of trails can change the arc of a city‘s history,” said David Pharr, co-founder of the Museum Trail. “The effort itself is powerful, and the generosity of donors and volunteers has been inspiring beyond words.”
The idea for the Museum Trail started in 2009, when Pharr and friend, Dr. Clay Hays, spent time exploring a decommissioned railroad line running along the backside of the Greater Belhaven Neighborhood in Jackson, Miss. They started thinking about how the abandoned railway could be transformed into a public trail. Almost a decade later, after planning, fundraising, and construction, Phase 1 of the trail was completed.
With additional planned phases, the Museum Trail will span a full five miles, offering uninterrupted alternative means of transportation to several of Jackson’s brightest spots and attractions, including several of its museums, parks, and schools, meeting the need for alternative means of transportation in addition to accessible recreational outlets that promote health and wellness.
“Jackson Heart Foundation is proud of what has been accomplished so far along with the enthusiasm the Museum Trail has brought to our community,” said Harper Stone, Jackson Heart Foundation Chairman. “The immeasurable impact the Museum Trail has on the health and wellness ofour community is precisely the reason it remains our leading project.”
Strategically planned over the course of several phases, the Museum Trail’s next steps involve its continued expansion to Downtown and West Jackson, with a direct connection to Jackson State University, connecting to additional museums like the COFO Center and Margaret Walker Center on the HBCU's campus.
To learn more about the Museum Trail, visit their website at themuseumtrail.com and follow them on social media.
