In a significant development for urban green spaces, Gulf & Ohio Railways has initiated the process to transform a 3.8-mile rail line into a public trail. Filed for abandonment in mid-December, the rail line stretches from Chapman Highway to Ijams Nature Center in South Knoxville, as revealed in a City of Knoxville announcement. Following the Surface Transportation Board’s approval, the company will begin removing the tracks and ties to make way for the construction of the trail.