Trail of Tears Greenway

The Trail of Tears is unique among planned and existing trails in the region for its historical and cultural significance at both the local and national scale. As a segment of the cross-country Trail of Tears Historical Trail, the corridor documents the forced migration of thousands of Cherokee people from their homelands in Georgia, Alabama, and Tennessee to Indian Territory in present-day Oklahoma. Existing segments of the trail in the region elaborate on this history through interpretive signage and, where possible, use a natural surface to preserve the character the Cherokee likely encountered nearly 180 years ago.

The planned regional trail corridor will begin at Ewing Sports Complex and will travel south to Cloverdale Street, where future on-street connections will connect the trail to Battlefield City Hall and City Park.

The National Historic Trail of Tears route runs through Springfield. Portions of the National Historic Trail of Tears have been preserved with the Trail of Tears Greenway trail:

• The segment at Republic Road and Golden Avenue has been preserved with a primitive, natural surface trail
• A half-mile paved segment, that parallels the Trail of Tears historical route, begins at Nathanael Greene Park and continues south to Battlefield Road

In April 2020, the City of Battlefield was awarded $286,000 to add 1,400 linear feet to the Trail of Tears Greenway within Battlefield city limits.

Parking & Trail Access

Access the paved portion of the trail from the South Creek Greenway trail at Nathanael Greene Park. There is only neighborhood access to the natural surface trail section that is located further south.

Gallery

View the Trail of Tears Greenway Gallery