Review
Intro
The Shelby Farms Greenline (also known as simply the “Greenline”) is a 10-foot wide paved path open to walkers, runners, cyclists, rollerblades, scooters, or any other non-motorized mode of transportation. From the middle of the city to the beginning of the eastern suburbs, the Greenline connects several neighborhoods in Memphis to each other and to Shelby Farms Park. It runs north of Shelby Farms Park with primary access to the park next to Farm Road. You might be close to the city, but you’ll feel far away as you run through the trees.
What Makes It Great
The Greenline is extremely accessible and can be used as a connector or a destination itself for a run. With benign terrain and stretching several miles, it is great for a casual jog or a long training run. Along with other paths and bike friendly roads, it helps connect Overton Park in Midtown Memphis to the 4,500-acre Shelby Farms Park, Cordova, the Germantown Greenway, and beyond.
The trail itself is a converted rail trail, lined with shade trees in the summer. The route will take you over wooden bridges through wetlands and past open fields, and has very few street crossings. Part of the trail feel so secluded, you’ll forget that you are still in Memphis. Keep an eye out for wildlife, too, and you might spot a wild turkey, deer, or even an armadillo!
There are water fountains are at Tillman and at Farm Road, but always bring your own just in case. TapRoute locations are at Graham, Waring, and just east of Germantown Parkway. Taps have water coolers provided by businesses or homeowners.
If you use the Greenline to get to Shelby Farms, there is an access point to the Yellow, White, and Blue trails that are great for trail running, hiking, or mountain biking. You can find the access point on the east side of the bridge that crosses the Wolf River, and the trails run both north and south from the Greenline.
Who is Going to Love It
Walkers, joggers, runners, recreational cyclists, mountain bikers and anyone else on a non-motorized wheeled mode of transportation will enjoy the benefits of the Greenline. With ample access points, the Greenline can be used as part of an excursion or can serve as the course.
It is popular with families and children of all ages due to its benign topography and the ability to pick a desired overall distance/time by doing an out-and-back trip.
Early mornings and evenings are generally not crowded and can serve as a good place for speed work for runners looking for a flat option other than a track. Because it’s almost 22 miles if you run the entire length out-and-back, it’s the perfect spot to get in a long training run.
Directions, Parking, & Regulations
The current western terminus is at Tillman Street just north of Walnut Grove Road and the eastern terminus is at the old Cordova Depot east of Germantown Road. There are several official access points in between the two, with plans to add more.
Visit the website for more information and a map of the route and access points.
The Greenline is open from dawn to dusk.
