Freedom Heritage Trail - Project

This 6-mile trail will have a mix of dedicated off-road multi-use trails, side paths, and bike boulevards. This project is federally funded through LADOTD by a Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) grant. The name "Freedom Heritage Trail" was chosen by a popular vote from community stakeholders, with the term "heritage" added to distinguish it from Boston's Freedom Trail. This trail holds deep historical significance, having played a pivotal role in the Civil Rights Movement. In 1960, students from Southern University marched three miles from their campus to the State Capitol, protesting segregation and staging sit-ins at local businesses. Earlier, in 1953, BREC’s Memorial Park was the meeting point for the Baton Rouge Bus Boycott, one of the first in the country, led by T.J. Jemison. This boycott later inspired the Montgomery Bus Boycott of 1955, led by Rosa Parks. The events along the trail reflect its enduring legacy in the fight for racial equality and justice.

Additionally, BREC has secured two additional federal funding sources to support the revitalization of Scotlandville Parkway. These funds will facilitate significant improvements that will be going to engineering and design soon. The improvements will include a new three-mile multi-use path that will connect to the Freedom Heritage Trail from Airline Highway and extend north all the way to Scenic Highway, the restoration of bridges to withstand flooding, and enhanced connectivity throughout the Scotlandville and Southern University areas, providing safer transportation alternatives that connect users with key points of interest in the area.

BREC’s Scotlandville Parkway was constructed during the 1970s and 80s, in tandem with the I-110 expressway construction, and was one of the first public parks built within the right-of-way of an expressway. Through a joint use agreement with DOTD, it has long been under BREC’s management and has served as a tremendous asset to the community. Identified as a key area for restoration as part of the 2020 East Baton Rouge Parish Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan, the parkway has the potential to become a safe and accessible bicycle and pedestrian route for all.

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