Work on new greenways in Franklin has begun along the Harpeth River in Franklin’s Bicentennial Park.
The city approved the master plan including a number of multi-purpose paths and greenways throughout the city that lead to downtown.
"Our goal is to always provide options - options for people to walk, to take busses, to bike or to take cars. The more options you have, the less traffic you'll have downtown long term, and also it promotes healthy living which is a good goal of ours," said Franklin Engineer Director Paul Holzen.
With the paths connecting to the city, officials hope they may decrease traffic which is often a problem in the downtown area.
Crews at the Bicentennial Park have begun building a greenway that borders the river, and business owners like Brandon Anglin at the downtown Baskin Robbins were thrilled.
"I think they're just making it safer because right now, you don't have any sidewalks going out 96 or Franklin Road, and people are going to have to walk on the shoulders. It can be a little dangerous at times,” said Anglin.
City leaders said as more money becomes available, more greenways and paths will be built to connect additional neighborhoods to the downtown area.
