|
December 23, 2009
Jones to Hike Appalachian Trail, Raise
Funds for Mountain Goat Trail
Sewanee resident Evan Jones plans to hike the
Appalachian Trail in its entirety beginning in June
2010. He will leave from Mount Katahdin in Maine with
his dog companion, Llew, and will hike southward to
Springer Mountain, Ga. The hike will take approximately
six months.
Jones will use the hike to raise funds for the
Mountain Goat Trail Alliance (MGTA), a local Rails-to-
Trails project to revitalize the old Mountain Goat
Railroad track bed.
The Mountain Goat Railroad is the nickname given to the
railroad that climbed Monteagle Mountain from Cowan to
retrieve coal beginning in the 1850’s up until 1985 when
the tracks were then pulled up, leaving the trail and
putting it back into private ownership.
The Mountain Goat Trail Alliance was created to secure
the rights of way on the old path and develop a rail to
trail community outdoor recreation project by converting
the railroad right-of-way into a multi-use recreational
corridor between Grundy and Franklin Counties on the
Cumberland Plateau in Middle Tennessee.
The "Sewanee Mining Company" that built the railroad
donated the land for the University of the South at
Sewanee. The mountain was basically "founded” by this
railroad and much of the mountain’s history is directly
tied to this railroad.
The project’s first phase is complete; the immediate
goal is to extend the Mountain Goat Trail from its
current terminus at St. Andrew’s-Sewanee School into
Monteagle and eventually into Tracy City.
The hike will take Jones and Llew over roughly 2,178
miles. Jones suggests that anyone interested in donating
to the Mountain Goat Trail Alliance’s special fund for
his project make donations or pledges based on a per
mile, walk-a-thon model. For example, donating $.01 per
mile would
amount to a donation of $21.78; $.05 per mile, $108.90;
$.10, $217.80; and so on. All donations to Jones’s fund
will be made through the MGTA, which is a 501(c)
not-for-profit organization, so all gifts are fully
tax-deductible.
Donors will be able to live the experience vicariously,
as Jones will regularly update a blog from the trail
using his iPhone and the website of Mountain Outfitters,
longtime partner of and investor in the Mountain Goat
Trail project. As well, the trip can be monitored via
Facebook under Mountain Goat Trail Alliance.
A very modest, ceilinged, administrative percentage
of the fund will offset some of Jones’ significant
personal expenses. Evan, grew up on Monteagle Mountain
and, like so many community members, has used and loved
the Mountain Goat Trail. Since graduating with honors
from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga in 2008,
he has returned to the Mountain and is currently
employed as Manager of Mountain Outfitters in Monteagle.
Go to the website to read more of the history of this
great trail.
www.mountaingoattrail.org. The 13 mile trail
will connect all of the mountain top communities
providing a safe way for walkers, runners and bikers.
The effort and need for contributions is immediate. The
MGTA is a 501-c-3 and all gifts are fully tax
deductible. Donations should be made payable to
“Mountain Goat Trail Alliance” and earmarked Evan Jones.
November 21, 2009
Mountain Goat Trail Project Map
 A
map showing the phases of the Mountain Goat Trail
project is now online and can be downloaded by
clicking on the image to your right.
The page opens
in a new window.
August 8, 2008
For Immediate Release:
Mountain Goat Trail Alliance Earns
Nonprofit Status
The Mountain Goat Trail
Alliance is a non-profit organization whose purpose
is to create and develop the Mountain Goat Trail
connecting Cowan, Sewanee, Monteagle, Tracy City and
Palmer, Tennessee along the old rail road bed
connecting these communities. The railroad existed
from 1852 to 1985 and helped start the University of
the South in Sewanee and found the communities on
the mountain.
The Alliance is pleased to
report this month that the IRS has granted the
Alliance its 501(c)3 status thereby allowing it to
be registered as a charitable organization. This
news is coupled with the allowance by the State of
Tennessee to solicit funds for the construction of
the trail. Funds donated to the Alliance are fully
deductible for tax purposes by the donor.
"Everyone on the Alliance
board is thrilled to see this major step. We can
now begin a much more concerted effort to raise the
funds necessary to create this trail" said MGTA
Treasurer Gray Campbell, "One hundred percent of all
funds raised will go into making this trail a
reality." Campbell continued, "My great
grandfather, M. R. Campbell from Tullahoma, TN was a
conductor on this train during the Civil War. I,
along with many other, want to see this trail
completed."
This Rails-to-Trails project
has grown considerably over the past 3 years. The
Alliance has also secured a Tennessee Department of
transportation grant for assisting with the
construction although much more funding is needed.
Tax deductible donations to
this worthy cause may be sent to:
Mountain Goat Trail Alliance
P.O. Box 968
Monteagle, TN. 37356
August 29, 2006
For immediate release:
Monteagle
Awarded TDOT Enhancement Grant for Mountain Goat
Trail; MGTA to Raise Matching Funds
Contact:
Mountain Goat Trail Alliance
Monteagle Chamber of Commerce
931.924.5353 Tennessee Governor
Phil Bredesen announced that the City of Monteagle
is the recipient of a 2006 Tennessee Department of
Transportation Enhancement Grant of $582,560 to
create a paved pedestrian and biking trail along the
original Mountain Goat Rail Line. Thanks to the
efforts of Representative Bill Harmon, Phase III
will extend the multi-use trail from St. Andrew’s -
Sewanee School to the DuBose Conference Center in
Monteagle. The next phase of the trail will extend
to Tracy City.
"The history of the rail line
is an important part of the history of most of the
families in Grundy County and their livelihoods for
many years," said Governor Bredesen. "I’m proud the
State of Tennessee can make investments like this
one that will enhance the community and help
preserve the fond memories of so many."
"The extension of the trail
will have a tremendous impact on the local community
and economy," stated Representative Bill Harmon.
"It’s exciting to watch the progress of this project
and I’m happy I was able to assist in bringing this
grant to Monteagle."
The federal program has several
stipulations: the money is available for trail
construction only and cannot be used for land
acquisition. The grant covers only 80% of the
projected expenses for the trail, and so local
supporters are expected to contribute $145,640 to
the project. The grant is also set up as a
reimbursement grant, which means that TDOT will only
pay out money to cover funds already spent.
Environmental studies must be performed.
The Mountain Goat Trail
Alliance (MGTA) has been formed to assist the City
of Monteagle and the Monteagle Chamber of Commerce
with the many tasks that must be accomplished before
the federal funding is released. Among those tasks
is the fundraising needed for the 20% local matching
portion. Also important to the project is obtaining
permission and legal easements for the trailway from
the many landowners of all the sections of the old
rail bed for the trailway.
“We’re happy to have the MGTA
assist the City with the grant qualifications,” says
Mayor Charles Rollins, “and especially to have them
raise the funds needed to match the grant.”
The MGTA Board is led by
President David Burnett and includes Kelly Foutch,
Lexy Orr, John Baggenstoss, Clayton Rogers, Gray
Campbell and April Alvarez. Scott May is providing
pro bono assistance with preliminary legalities.
MGTA wishes to thank the many other community
members who provided letters of support for the
grant.
The effort to reclaim this historic rail bed for a
waking and biking trail is in cooperation with an
organized group of citizens of the Monteagle Chamber
of Commerce, Town of Monteagle, the Monteagle Sunday
School Assembly, The Friends of the South
Cumberland, The Alliance for The Cumberlands,
Tennessee Parks and Greenways, Tennessee Trails
Association, and the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy.
The Monteagle Chamber of Commerce has already
provided a $2000 grant for funding promotion for the
project. Plans for this phase of the trail were laid
during marketing meetings of the Monteagle Chamber
of Commerce. Assistance in preparing the grants was
provided by the TVA and the SE Tennessee Development
District.
For some time the Friends of the South Cumberland
had made parallel efforts to research the trailway,
find funding for the project, and move forward in
acquiring land for trail construction. As it
pertains to the Friends, their charter states to
enhance the South Cumberland State Park, which
includes the Fiery Gizzard, Savage Gulf, and a 200
acre segment of property on the trail known as the
Hawkins Cove State Natural Area located between the
trail and the Cowan highway. This area holds some
rare and endangered floral species on the mountain.
On Saturday August 26, The Friends made a donation
of $1000 and extended the time to allow the MGTA to
piggyback the relationship to enable donors to make
tax exempt gifts to the Friends for benefit of the
MGTA until the MGTA is approved for tax exempt
status. The Friends will be accepting donations on
behalf of the MGTA until its tax-exempt status has
be finalized and will continue to pass along any
gifts that are designated for the MGTA.
Also, community members in
Tracy City and in Monteagle were researching the
Mountain Goat Trail and making additional grant
applications. The common goal of creating a trail
for economic development, community enhancement and
recreational opportunities led to the formation of
the Mountain Goat Trail Alliance.
Monteagle Mountain has long
been a destination for outdoor enthusiasts. The
Mountain Goat Trail will eventually link
communities, schools including Monteagle Elementary,
Sewanee Elementary, and Tracy City Elementary, St.
Andrew’s – Sewanee School and the University of the
South, shopping districts, recreation areas such as
the South Cumberland State Park and Fiery Gizzard,
historic sites, and natural tourist areas. The Trail
will benefit citizens of all ages. Trail
construction in similar communities in Damascus,
Virginia and Hattiesburg, Mississippi have been
created positive economic development with increased
tourism and are a point of pride for local citizens.
The Mountain Goat Railroad was
constructed in 1853 as a rail spur from the
Nashville & Chattanooga Railroad. The line was used
to transport coal from coalmines in Tracy City
through Monteagle and Sewanee and down to Cowan.
The coalmining period of the rail line is an
important part of the history of many families in
Grundy County. The use of the railroad spur was
discontinued in 1985 when the tracks were removed.
The MGTA will be accepting
donations on behalf of the City of Monteagle for the
Trail Match. Donations can be sent to MGTA, POB 968,
Monteagle, TN, 37356.
For more information and
updates, please check the Mountain Goat Trail
Alliance website at
www.mountaingoattrail.org or call the
Monteagle Mountain Chamber of Commerce at
931.924.5353.
See also:
http://www.tdot.state.tn.us/news/2006/grundy.htm
for press release from TDOT with image. |
