A multi-million-dollar grant application could soon extend the Cumberland River Greenway to Opry Mills.

While it’s only 1 mile long, the project could have a major impact on pedestrians seeking access to the Opry area. As it stands, accessing anything on the site — whether its country music at the Grand Ole Opry, or a mall pretzel at Auntie Anne’s — is extremely difficult without a vehicle.

But the proposed project would change that, extending the greenway from the Cumberland Pedestrian Bridge up to Opry Mills, establishing pedestrian access to the mall and adjacent Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center.

The Metro Parks Board approved an application for the Transportation Alternatives Program grant to fund 70% of the $18.3 million dollar project. Metro would be responsible for the remaining 30%.

Cindy Harrison, director of the Metro Greenways and Open Space Division, said the project would be transformative for tourists and residents alike.

Courtesy Greenways for Nashville

Dotted orange lines identify where the greenway would be extended.

“It will be a game-changer, I think for all those neighborhoods,” Harrison said. “And all the guests and tourists that are out there will have a different way to get downtown. It’s a huge benefit, both in terms of a park project and an alternative transportation transit project.”

Despite the fact that Opryland and Opry Mills are located close to many miles of greenway trails in East Nashville and Donelson, the area itself is confined by the not-so-pedestrian-friendly Briley Parkway.

Establishing walk or bike access to the campus is a long time coming. For close to a decade, Metro has tried to connect the greenway, working with mall ownership to acquire additional right-of-way to ensure access to the greenway directly from the parking lot.

However, the grant application will still require approval from the mayor and Metro Council before its October deadline. If funds are granted by the federal government, construction is expected to last for 18 months.