Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Tanglefoot Trail?
(Note: The Trail is NOT currently built or open.)
The Tanglefoot Trail is a proposed 40+ mile rail-to-trail conversion to be developed along the abandoned rail corridor that runs from New Albany to Houston, Mississippi in the northeastern part of Mississippi. Please check the Current Status link to monitor the implementation and progress of the trail. The name "Tanglefoot" is in honor of one of the steam engines originally used in the construction of the railroad in the late 1800's. An excellent account of the history of the trail can be found under "History of the Rail Corridor" link on the homepage.
What is "rails-to-trails"?
This is a common use of abandoned railway right-of-way throughout the United States with over 1,000 such conversions currently built. There is one in Hattiesburg named the Longleaf Trace (www.longleaftrace.org) that goes to Prentiss, MS. Typically, the trail is paved about 10 feet wide on the old rail bed and is only available to non-motorized traffic such as horse riders, bicycles, and walkers. Some trails permit the use of electric golf carts. The horse trail typically parallels the paved path in locations where site features can accommodate that trail.
What is the cost of this project and how will it be funded?
A feasibility study using a 100% federal grant has been requested to develop this and other needed information. Preliminary estimates are that total construction will cost $5-$7 million.
The Miss. Dept. of Transportation (MDOT) has competitive grants for projects such as rail-to-trails. These grants purchase the right-of-way and fund 80% for the path construction. Local communities and/or private organizations would have to provide the 20% match for construction. The 20% match can come from other federal grants (except the Federal Highway Administration), "in-kind" contributions from local government entities, and private donations. More details can be found in the "Documents" link then click on the "Cost and Funding Estimate" letter to the Editor document.
Who would pay the cost of operating, maintenance, and enforcement of rules of a rail-to-trail assuming an MDOT grant was used?
All nine units of government along the rail corridor have voted to create and financially support the Recreational District to operate the Tanglefoot Trail rail-to-trail project which by state law requires a 1/4 mil or equivalent annual contribution to the District. The nine governmental entities are the Union, Pontotoc, and Chickasaw County Boards of Supervisors, the cities of New Albany, Ecru, Pontotoc, Algoma, Houlka, and Houston. Each entity will appoint one board member to represent it on the Recreational District Board. Click the "Current Status" link for more information.
The Recreational District is further required to develop a detailed operation and maintenance budget and demonstrate the capacity to obtain adequate funding to fulfill its responsibilities. The Hattiesburg trail, which is about the same length as this one, uses such a district, has one full time employee and an annual operations budget of about
$150,000.00. Tourism taxes are currently collected by the cities of Pontotoc and New Albany and trail operations should be an appropriate use of a portion of these funds.
Details on how the rules and regulations are enforced are given in detail in the following questions on this page.
Does a rail-to-trail use of the corridor increase the exposure of the county and cities to liability lawsuits from trail users?
Under the state funded MDOT grant, the state would own the property and lease it to the Recreational District to operate and maintain. The District would be required to have liability insurance. This is basically how the Hattiesburg (Longleaf Trace) is operated and as such the local governments have no liability.
Who will use the trail and how will it benefit the local economy?
The Longleaf Trace near Hattiesburg is similar in length to the Tanglefoot Trail and has about 100,000 users annually. About 75% are local with the other 25% from outside the region who typically spend 1-2 nights lodging in communities near the trail. Well documented studies estimate that overnight users spend abut $150.00 per person per night in direct economic impact to local businesses. Payroll and sales taxes further multiply the direct economic impact.
Indirect economic impacts include projecting the image of a progressive region and communities to corporate and industrial developers, improved community health, diversification of the economic base, and promoting the area as a tourism destination to visit other regional historical, cultural, and recreational sites.
A properly developed and operated trail would get substantial use from outside the community due to the proximity to Oxford, Tupelo, and New Albany to Memphis. Retirees also seek out amenities such as this where it is regulated, safe, and not as physically demanding as some trails. The United States is about to experience the retirement of 80 million "baby boomers".
Interested persons should visit the Hattiesburg trail website at: www.longleaftrace.org which has a history of that project and the following information:
What are the typical rules and regulations for use of the trail and how are they enforced?
Enforcement is provided by local law enforcement officials and the full time Trail Manager hired by the District. The District has the force of law to set penalties for trail violations. The Hattiesburg trail set up special funds for extra security personnel when it first opened but never needed to use the funds. That trail has experienced the usual vandalism of some vending machines and rest facilities but as of July, 2006 had not experienced any serious incidents of crime. The widespread availability of cellular telephones for immediate notification to law enforcement thru 911 calling also serves as a deterrent to unlawful activity on these types of trails.
How might the trail affect the landowners whose property adjoins the trail?
On the positive side, many would likely experience an increase in their property's value. Some may take advantage of vendor opportunities the trail would provide. Some will appreciate and enjoy the convenience of access to the trail and the opportunity to visit with neighbors and meet new visitors to the region.
On the negative side, some who prefer their privacy may resent the activity on the trail and be concerned about their safety and crime. Adjoining landowners are protected against unlawful trespassing onto their land from trail users just as they are from persons unlawfully entering their land from a public road. Obviously, if an adjoining landowner was doing business with users of the trail a different legal liability standard would likely apply. Trees and shrubs can be planted for visual screens and sound barriers on both the right-of-way and landowner's property where possible and desired by the landowner to increase a property's privacy.
Existing field roads crossing the trail still have their full right to cross the trail at these points.
What is the "Friends of the Tanglefoot Trail"?
The Friends of the Tanglefoot Trail (hereinafter noted as "Friends") is a group of volunteers who have organized for the purpose of promoting and advocating the proper development and use of the trail, similar to what a PTA/PTO is to a school and its community. It is non-profit and currently has no funding other than donations. More information will be available on the "Friends of Tanglefoot" link once the group is fully organized.
How do I contact and become a supporter of the "Friends of the Tanglefoot Trail"?
Please email the following email address: tanglefoottrail@hotmail.com and refer to the "Friends of Tanglefoot" link to join the "Friends" group and/or make a donation.
(Note: The Trail is NOT currently built or open.)
The Tanglefoot Trail is a proposed 40+ mile rail-to-trail conversion to be developed along the abandoned rail corridor that runs from New Albany to Houston, Mississippi in the northeastern part of Mississippi. Please check the Current Status link to monitor the implementation and progress of the trail. The name "Tanglefoot" is in honor of one of the steam engines originally used in the construction of the railroad in the late 1800's. An excellent account of the history of the trail can be found under "History of the Rail Corridor" link on the homepage.
What is "rails-to-trails"?
This is a common use of abandoned railway right-of-way throughout the United States with over 1,000 such conversions currently built. There is one in Hattiesburg named the Longleaf Trace (www.longleaftrace.org) that goes to Prentiss, MS. Typically, the trail is paved about 10 feet wide on the old rail bed and is only available to non-motorized traffic such as horse riders, bicycles, and walkers. Some trails permit the use of electric golf carts. The horse trail typically parallels the paved path in locations where site features can accommodate that trail.
What is the cost of this project and how will it be funded?
A feasibility study using a 100% federal grant has been requested to develop this and other needed information. Preliminary estimates are that total construction will cost $5-$7 million.
The Miss. Dept. of Transportation (MDOT) has competitive grants for projects such as rail-to-trails. These grants purchase the right-of-way and fund 80% for the path construction. Local communities and/or private organizations would have to provide the 20% match for construction. The 20% match can come from other federal grants (except the Federal Highway Administration), "in-kind" contributions from local government entities, and private donations. More details can be found in the "Documents" link then click on the "Cost and Funding Estimate" letter to the Editor document.
Who would pay the cost of operating, maintenance, and enforcement of rules of a rail-to-trail assuming an MDOT grant was used?
All nine units of government along the rail corridor have voted to create and financially support the Recreational District to operate the Tanglefoot Trail rail-to-trail project which by state law requires a 1/4 mil or equivalent annual contribution to the District. The nine governmental entities are the Union, Pontotoc, and Chickasaw County Boards of Supervisors, the cities of New Albany, Ecru, Pontotoc, Algoma, Houlka, and Houston. Each entity will appoint one board member to represent it on the Recreational District Board. Click the "Current Status" link for more information.
The Recreational District is further required to develop a detailed operation and maintenance budget and demonstrate the capacity to obtain adequate funding to fulfill its responsibilities. The Hattiesburg trail, which is about the same length as this one, uses such a district, has one full time employee and an annual operations budget of about
$150,000.00. Tourism taxes are currently collected by the cities of Pontotoc and New Albany and trail operations should be an appropriate use of a portion of these funds.
Details on how the rules and regulations are enforced are given in detail in the following questions on this page.
Does a rail-to-trail use of the corridor increase the exposure of the county and cities to liability lawsuits from trail users?
Under the state funded MDOT grant, the state would own the property and lease it to the Recreational District to operate and maintain. The District would be required to have liability insurance. This is basically how the Hattiesburg (Longleaf Trace) is operated and as such the local governments have no liability.
Who will use the trail and how will it benefit the local economy?
The Longleaf Trace near Hattiesburg is similar in length to the Tanglefoot Trail and has about 100,000 users annually. About 75% are local with the other 25% from outside the region who typically spend 1-2 nights lodging in communities near the trail. Well documented studies estimate that overnight users spend abut $150.00 per person per night in direct economic impact to local businesses. Payroll and sales taxes further multiply the direct economic impact.
Indirect economic impacts include projecting the image of a progressive region and communities to corporate and industrial developers, improved community health, diversification of the economic base, and promoting the area as a tourism destination to visit other regional historical, cultural, and recreational sites.
A properly developed and operated trail would get substantial use from outside the community due to the proximity to Oxford, Tupelo, and New Albany to Memphis. Retirees also seek out amenities such as this where it is regulated, safe, and not as physically demanding as some trails. The United States is about to experience the retirement of 80 million "baby boomers".
Interested persons should visit the Hattiesburg trail website at: www.longleaftrace.org which has a history of that project and the following information:
- they expect total visits to top 100,000 in 2006 in spite of Katrina;
- they estimate that there are 50 hotel rooms per week booked by trail users;
- property values nearby or adjacent to the trail have substantially increased in value
- and the proximity to the trail is included in ads as a selling point which increases the value of those properties;
What are the typical rules and regulations for use of the trail and how are they enforced?
- motorized vehicles are prohibited, some trails permit electric golf carts to be rented
- only open during daylight hours; cities may extend to night hours provided certain conditions such as lighting and patrolling as set by the District Board are met
- no alcoholic beverages allowed
Enforcement is provided by local law enforcement officials and the full time Trail Manager hired by the District. The District has the force of law to set penalties for trail violations. The Hattiesburg trail set up special funds for extra security personnel when it first opened but never needed to use the funds. That trail has experienced the usual vandalism of some vending machines and rest facilities but as of July, 2006 had not experienced any serious incidents of crime. The widespread availability of cellular telephones for immediate notification to law enforcement thru 911 calling also serves as a deterrent to unlawful activity on these types of trails.
How might the trail affect the landowners whose property adjoins the trail?
On the positive side, many would likely experience an increase in their property's value. Some may take advantage of vendor opportunities the trail would provide. Some will appreciate and enjoy the convenience of access to the trail and the opportunity to visit with neighbors and meet new visitors to the region.
On the negative side, some who prefer their privacy may resent the activity on the trail and be concerned about their safety and crime. Adjoining landowners are protected against unlawful trespassing onto their land from trail users just as they are from persons unlawfully entering their land from a public road. Obviously, if an adjoining landowner was doing business with users of the trail a different legal liability standard would likely apply. Trees and shrubs can be planted for visual screens and sound barriers on both the right-of-way and landowner's property where possible and desired by the landowner to increase a property's privacy.
Existing field roads crossing the trail still have their full right to cross the trail at these points.
What is the "Friends of the Tanglefoot Trail"?
The Friends of the Tanglefoot Trail (hereinafter noted as "Friends") is a group of volunteers who have organized for the purpose of promoting and advocating the proper development and use of the trail, similar to what a PTA/PTO is to a school and its community. It is non-profit and currently has no funding other than donations. More information will be available on the "Friends of Tanglefoot" link once the group is fully organized.
How do I contact and become a supporter of the "Friends of the Tanglefoot Trail"?
Please email the following email address: tanglefoottrail@hotmail.com and refer to the "Friends of Tanglefoot" link to join the "Friends" group and/or make a donation.
