The floodwaters that have brought national attention to the area in recent weeks have brought throngs of people to the Natchez bluff to look at the Mississippi River. Thanks to the Natchez Trails project, the new wrought iron fence and expanded sidewalk with lighting along the top of the bluff’s edge was already in place for them to enjoy.

Come downtown at 10 a.m. Saturday to celebrate these new trails at a ribbon-cutting ceremony in the new public plaza in front of the old depot building on Broadway Street, followed by on-site refreshments for all!

The Natchez Trails are a product of the Natchez Community Alliance that formed several years ago to focus on projects that improve the quality of life for the citizens of Natchez. The Natchez Trails provide an opportunity for people of all ages to get outside, improve their health, enjoy the view and learn something about this historic little town.

Though completion of the entire project has been delayed by the floodwaters, the public is already enjoying the trails. Bicyclists are restricted to city streets downtown, but they may ride on the trails that follow the top and the bottom contours of the bluff.

The two trails through downtown and the trail around the Natchez Bluff Park are as wheelchair and stroller accessible as sidewalks in this area can be. Yet-to-come are the medallions set in the sidewalks that show strollers the direction of the next marker on each trail and the wooden stairs on each end of the nature trail along the base of the bluff on either side of Roth’s Hill Road.

While the City of Natchez took the lead in grant applications and project oversight, the Trails finance committee diligently raised funds from generous individuals and businesses.

Natchez National Historical Park and the Historic Natchez Foundation headed up the brochure/kiosk committee that routed the trails along the most accessible routes and past historical attractions that are open to the public. This diverse committee oversaw the design, the interpretive text, and the illustrations of more than four dozen wayside panels throughout the trails system.

The brochure/kiosk committee also designed the orientation panels under the new kiosk structure in front of the Broadway depot and a series of interpretive brochures. This committee is already planning phase II of the Natchez Trails that will stretch out St. Catherine Street to the Forks of the Road Slave Market site through the historic African American and Italian sections of town.

The Natchez Trails ribbon-cutting is part of the nationwide National Trails Day celebration that occurs annually on the first Saturday in June. This event, sponsored by the American Hiking Society, is enjoyed by thousands of people in all 50 states who get outside to stretch their legs, clear their minds and enjoy the fresh air.

Everyone is encouraged to come down to the bluff Saturday morning, have a look at the river, and join in the ribbon-cutting for our town’s newest attraction — the Natchez Trails! For more information, call 601-446-6345.

Kathleen Jenkins is the superintendent of the Natchez National Historical Park.