Newton Trails

The sun won't set for another 45 minutes on this enchanting late Spring evening.  The air is warm, not hot, but it still bears a  coolness from the low humidity  -- something we'll miss for months to come.  All in all, it's a perfect time to venture out for an evening stroll along the rail trail near my back door.  Not far from home, I encounter an older couple from Decatur who've biked to Covington for the weekend.  They ask directions to the Hampton Inn, and I suggest a bike-friendly route to their evening's slumber.  I also recommend some dining choices on the Square.  Not long after that, I pass a boy scout troop on the final leg of a hike to Camp Bert Adams.  I assume they're from the area, but they proudly tell me they have journeyed here from Alabama.

Do my musings sound far fetched?  Think again!

Earlier this month, the PATH Foundation announced completion of another section of the South River Trail, a 12-foot-wide concrete path that, when completed, will combine with the Rockdale River Trail to link the Atlanta Belt Line to the Monastery of the Holy Spirit in Conyers.  Three miles of the South River Trail are already built, connecting to the Arabia Mountain Trail leading to Lithonia.  This newest section, between Bouldercrest Rd and Clifton Church Rd is the start of the BeltLine connection.

Much of the linkage to Alabama is already in place, between the Silver Comet Trail running from Smyrna to the State Line and the Chief Ladiga Trail linking to Anniston, AL.

There is no doubt the path will travel east from the Monastery, the only question is:  by what route?  The City of Conyers and Rockdale County are actively working with PATH on those steps as well.  Phase 1 of the Olde Town Conyers Trail opened earlier this year, and phase 2 is slated for construction in 2012.

A connection through Newton County is far from assured at this time.  But, the blueprints are there.  In 2009, Newton County, the City of Covington, Rockdale County, and the City of Conyers jointly funded a conceptual plan with PATH for linking Olde Town Conyers to Oxford, Covington, and Porterdale.  You can view that plan on our website.

If these dreams sound ambitious, then read up on projects like the Coastal Georgia Greenway and the even more expansive East Coast Greenway.  Once upon a time, the national railroads and the federal highway system sounded equally incomprehensible.  Yet, with so much already built or being built around us, we only have a few small puzzle pieces to supply ourselves in Newton County.  The work starting now along the Yellow River in Porterdale is one such piece.

Let's get 'er done!

"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.