Tennessee lawmakers propose Alyssa Lokits Safety Act to standardize safety planning across parks and greenways
A proposal aimed at statewide standards
Tennessee lawmakers are advancing legislation that would require a coordinated, statewide approach to safety planning for parks and greenways, following the October 2024 killing of Nashville runner Alyssa Lokits on the Mill Creek Greenway. The proposal is being carried by Rep. Jason Powell and Sen. Jeff Yarbro and has been titled the Alyssa Lokits Safety Act.
The bill is scheduled for committee consideration during the 2026 legislative session, with supporters preparing to testify this week. Sponsors have described the measure as an effort to move beyond isolated local fixes and establish consistent expectations for how public recreation spaces are designed, maintained, and monitored across Tennessee.
What the bill would require
As outlined by supporters and legislative summaries, the Alyssa Lokits Safety Act would direct the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation to work alongside the Department of Safety and local governments to develop a comprehensive strategy for improving safety in parks and greenways statewide.
The strategy described in the proposal centers on practical elements that shape how parks function day to day, including:
- Park and trail design considerations
- Lighting standards and placement
- Maintenance practices that affect visibility and access
- Signage and wayfinding
- Use of surveillance and related technology where implemented
- Programming approaches intended to increase legitimate use of public spaces
- Public involvement in identifying risks and priorities
The proposal also contemplates a task force structure intended to coordinate recommendations and support updates to safety and security plans at state parks.
The case that triggered the legislation
Lokits, 34, was shot and killed on Oct. 15, 2024, while exercising on the Mill Creek Greenway near Old Hickory Boulevard. Police records described witnesses hearing her yelling for help before gunfire. Investigators later arrested Paul S. Park, 29, of Brentwood, and obtained a criminal homicide warrant. Police documentation described witness accounts of a scream for help and an allegation of an attempted sexual assault immediately before the fatal shooting.
Local efforts running alongside state action
In Nashville, a separate initiative is underway to evaluate safety and usability along the city’s greenway system. A six-month “walk audit” series organized with Metro partners is set to begin March 12, 2026, at Shelby Bottoms Greenway. Organizers have said the audits are intended to gather structured observations—such as lighting conditions, sightlines, vegetation overgrowth, trail surfaces, and signage—then consolidate findings into recommendations for city decision-makers.
Key question for lawmakers: whether Tennessee should adopt a uniform safety planning framework for parks and greenways, or continue relying primarily on local policies that vary by jurisdiction.