In a deal that will close over the next few months, the Chattanooga Audubon Society (CAS) is swapping land rights around with Tennessee State Parks to expand the Cumberland Trail.
The land swap, which is taking place at the 460-acre old growth hardwood forest of Audubon Mountain, was initiated by CAS earlier this year. CAS has held the majority of land rights since 1984 while Tennessee State Parks has owned a portion. The trade is as simple as:
- CAS will get 100 acres (at Coulterville Road)
- Tennessee State Parks will get 110 acres (at the highest elevation point at Leggett Road)
The 110 acres traded will then be used to extend the Cumberland Trail — making it the largest Tennessee State Park. Think: 300 miles that stretch from Cumberland Gap (on the Tennessee, Virginia + Kentucky border) to the Tennessee River Gorge.
The expansion will also include three adjoining trails at Audubon Mountain, McDonald Farm, and the Cumberland Trail.
