$1.1 Million in Recreational Trails Grants for Ga.

Recipients include:
• Bibb County, Arrowhead Park Multi-Use Trail
• Chatham County, Lower Ogeechee Trails Project
• DNR, State Parks & Historic Sites Division, Cloudland Connector Trail Section 2
• DNR, Wildlife Resources Division, Ohoopee Dunes Interpretive Trail and River Access
• City of Ellijay, Harrison Memorial Park Trails
• Haralson County, County Canoe Trail
• City of Holly Springs, Downtown Multi-Use Trail Phase 2
• City of Kingsland, Harris Peeples Nature Trail
• Oconee River Greenway Authority, Lower Fishing Creek Trail
• City of Screven, Martha Frazier Fisher Park Trail
• City of Statesboro, Luetta Moore Trail Phase I
• City of Vidalia, Vidalia Recreational Trail

`Trails get people excited about exercising outdoors and exploring new places,` said State Parks Director Becky Kelley. `In planning statewide outdoor recreation projects, we look for those that contribute to the local economy’s vitality and make communities more liveable.`

This year’s projects were selected because they met goals set by the Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP), a document that outlines trends, priorities and elements for success in providing outdoor recreation for future generations of Georgians. The SCORP document can be found on www.GeorgiaStateParks.org. For more information about the Recreational Trails Program, contact Bryan Alexander, DNR’s Grants Coordinator, at 404-656-2770.

Funding for the Recreational Trails Program comes from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and was appropriated in the 2005 Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users. The DNR administers the grant program under guidance of the FHWA. Each year, state, federal and local agencies are eligible to compete for these grants. Every recipient is required to match the grant by providing at least 20 percent of the cost of the project.

“The Recreational Trails Program provides indispensable assistance for meeting the growing demand for outdoor recreation, but it cannot fund it all,” said Kelley. “We encourage Georgia’s local governments to continue adding trails and other facilities that make communities more attractive to citizens and businesses.”

Details about each of the 12 grant recipients follow:

Bibb County, Arrowhead Park Multi-Use Trail: Arrowhead Park at Lake Tobesofkee is home to a trail system that is cared for in part by mountain bikers. DNR’s recommended grant of $91,500 will help to build new trails at the site.

Chatham County, Lower Ogeechee Trails Project: The recommended grant will assist the County with constructing two miles of trails that will lead hikers through a bottomland hardwood forest. The grant for this site along the Ogeechee River will be $100,000 once it receives final approval.

Department of Natural Resources, State Parks & Historic Sites Division, Cloudland Connector Trail Section 2: Several entities are pursuing the development of a network of trails in and adjacent to Cloudland Canyon State Park. This recommended grant of $96,960 will assist with the construction of a connecting trail, a series of mountain bike trails, and two trailheads.

Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division, Ohoopee Dunes Interpretive Trail and River Access: The recommended grant will assist with the construction of an interpretive trail and a parking area in a unique Heritage Preserve near Swainsboro. The recommended grant of $100,000 will also assist with a canoe launch and restoration of damaged dune habitat.

City of Ellijay, Harrison Memorial Park Trails: The City intends to build trails on a park site adjacent to the Ellijay River. DNR’s recommended grant of $100,000 will assist with design and construction.

Haralson County, County Canoe Trail: The County plans to establish a canoe trail along the Tallapoosa River. DNR has recommended a grant of $51,150 to assist with the construction of five canoe launches and related access areas along the river.

City of Holly Springs, Downtown Multi-Use Trail Phase 2: The City is in the midst of revitalizing its town center. Part of this revitalization includes a trail that connects a residential area with the downtown area, and the recommended grant of $100,000 will assist with trail construction.

City of Kingsland, Harris Peeples Nature Trail: The City plans to partner with a private landowner to build a trail that connects schools, a residential area and a park to each other. The recommended grant of $100,000 will assist with construction.

Oconee River Greenway Authority, Lower Fishing Creek Trail: The Authority envisions a trail of over nine miles in length to connect trail users with the Oconee River on one end and a recreation complex on the other. DNR has recommended a grant of $100,000 to assist with the first phase of the trail.

City of Screven, Martha Frazier Fisher Park Trail: At an existing park in Screven, the City plans to build a nature walk featuring educational opportunities on the plant life of the area. A recommended grant of $81,000 will assist with the construction.

City of Statesboro, Luetta Moore Trail Phase I: DNR’s recommended grant of $100,000 will assist with the design and construction of the first phase of a trail that will connect parks and neighborhoods on the northwest side of the city. A substantial portion of this first phase will pass through an existing park.

City of Vidalia, Vidalia Recreational Trail: The City is developing a recreation facility on the eastern municipal boundary that is planned to include playing fields and a swimming pool. The recommended grant of $42,588 will assist with the design and construction of a nature trail on the property.