Though a walking path connecting downtown to Cordova is still years away, construction is expected to begin this week on the first stretches of both the Wolf River Greenway and the Greater Memphis Greenline. By the end of this summer, a mile of the Wolf River Greenway and nearly seven miles of the Greater Memphis Greenline should be open for bikers, runners, and walkers to enjoy.

Though not considered part of the original Greening Greater Memphis plan, the Germantown Greenway also is expanding and eventually will link to the Wolf River Greenway. That means Memphians will someday be able to walk or bike from downtown all the way to Germantown.

The greenways may not end Memphis' designation as a "fat city," but it will mean more opportunities for folks to get moving and to explore parts of the city previously hidden from view.