Newton Trails

Speak out for better walking and biking facilities locally or elsewhere, and the talk inevitably leads to questions about how we can possibly afford such investments in a down economy with so much of America's highway infrastructure already woefully behind and in disrepair.  But, a once-radical idea is taking root across America.  It's a simple solution to a complex problem:  tear down those highways!

Now wait.  Before you decide to stop reading the ravings of a lunatic, folks aren't talking about eliminating the entire interstate system.  Those roads serve this nation well for moving people and freight from city to city and state to state. But, large cities across America are finding plenty of good reasons to remove highways from their downtowns.

Watch the video below from the Streetfilms Series for a closer look at how and why places like New York, New Orleans, Buffalo, San Francisco, and Vancouver are finding they are better off without downtown freeways.

Still, you may ask:  "How much could we really save by just eliminating a few sections of freeway?"  Well, US Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood has said you could build the entire 2,250-mile East Coast Greenway trail system from Key West to Maine for one-fifth the cost of one I-95 highway bridge over the Potomac River in Washington, DC.

We who advocate for a more balanced transportation system don't expect change overnight.  But, we do believe the time has come to recognize we should think twice before investing in more large-scale, astronomically costly highway projects that don't work.  In so doing, we can restore livability and commerce to our downtowns and save some money in the process.

"Our governments don't need to be spending many thousands of dollars to develop a biking & riding trail for the usage of only a few people."  That was the comment on the Covington News Facebook page.  And, it's been a common refrain in letters to the editor as well.  The logic seems to be that Newton County residents have little to no interest in walking or biking.  Over 2 million people come each year to walk, bike, job, or stroll on the Silver Comet Trail west of Atlanta.  But, for some reason, there are those who believe Newton County residents are the sedentary, idle sort who have no interest in such activities.  Why is that?

Today, I put my bike on the car and drove with a friend to visit the Arabia Mountain Trail in Lithonia.  I know the Silver Comet is a huge draw from all over the southeast.  But, what are things like closer to home here in Newton?  I'll tell you what they're like...  Hopping!!!

We started our ride from the Davidson-Arabia Mountain Preserve Nature Center, where both the main and the overflow parking were packed.  Along our route, we also stopped in on other parking areas at Browns Mill, Panola Shoals, and Alexanders Lake -- each one was filled to overflow, with cars parking along the roadways.  These "few people" sure do take up a lot of parking spaces!  Many of the license plates read DeKalb or Henry, but Newton County was well represented in the mix.

On a beautiful pre-Spring day, the trail was filled with walkers, joggers, and bikers.  We saw families on foot and on bike.  We passed parents pulling kids in trailers and pushing them in strollers.  We saw friends young and old out sharing a Sunday stroll.  When a mother takes her two young kids out for a walk on the trail instead of sitting in front of the TV, how can that not make the world a better place?

I don't know why some people still believe a walking and biking trail is an investment only for a select few?  I don't know why these people believe Newton County residents don't bike and don't walk.  But, I do know these people are wrong.

My theory is they believe everyone is just like them.  "I won't walk or bike on a trail, so why would anyone else?"  Me personally, I don't have kids, so I don't need schools or ball fields.  But, plenty of people do, and I gladly pay my tax money to support them.  It makes the world a better place.  I don't have a special needs child, so I don't need the Miracle League Field.  But, I gladly support that cause.  I want that child to have that opportunity.

And, unless Newton County is a totally different place from Cobb, Paulding, Polk, and DeKalb counties, we have a lot of people here who want a safe, scenic, natural place to walk and bike.  And, I really, really support that!  Being among the few is not as lonely as it sounds.  You have A LOT of company.