We’ve sat in rooms with community leaders who speak of neighborhoods they grew up in, parks they played in as children, and the need to preserve that sense of home while opening the door to new energy and opportunity. We’ve walked routes with city officials who light up when they talk about what’s ahead, not just for visitors, but for their own kids and grandkids. We’ve listened to business owners who see the trail as a way to bring more people to their doorsteps, and to families who want safer, greener ways to move through their city.
None of this would be possible without our partners from the City of Decatur, the Economic Development team, the Chamber of Commerce, the continued vision and promotion from Decatur Morgan County Tourism, and a host of other trail-centric and passionate community advocates. Their leadership has been bold and refreshingly unified. From day one, they’ve welcomed us as collaborators. Every meeting has felt like a shared mission, every challenge an opportunity to create something better, together.
The Singing River Trail team: (L to R) Anna Clem, Associate Director, Misti Potter, Executive Director, Katie Lee, Operations Coordinator
But what makes this project truly unforgettable is having Dr. Bill Sims himself not only support it, but champion it. Rarely do we get the opportunity to work alongside someone whose name is already etched into the identity of a community. Dr. Sims isn’t just endorsing the trail that bears his name, he’s deeply involved, offering wisdom, guidance, and that signature spark of optimism that lifts every room he enters.
Hearing him talk about what this trail means, not just to him, but to the people of Decatur, is a reminder of why we do this work. Trails don’t just connect spaces, they connect people. They connect legacies. They connect the stories of where we’ve been to the possibilities of where we’re going.
We are honored to be part of this chapter in Decatur’s story. The Dr. Bill Sims Trail and the expanded Singing River Trail network will continue to be a place where children ride their bikes for the first time, where grandparents walk with their grandchildren, where locals and newcomers alike discover the charm and strength of this city.
This is more than a trail. It’s an exercise in regionalism. It’s a movement, and we’re walking it together.
