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!