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!

Some local rail-trail opponents want you to think trails like the Silver Comet in west Georgia or the Chief Ladiga in Alabama are more dangerous than the Wild, Wild West.  They whisper rumors of rampant crime that leave the uninformed thinking trails are a dangerous place.

Sure, we have all the statistics and law enforcement reports to verify trails are safe.  But scaring people is always easier than informing them.  That's why I was delighted this week to have two great stories fall info my lap, each involving grandmothers biking the Silver Comet and Chief Ladiga Trails.  If these women, ages 48 to 76, are not afraid and genuinely enjoy these trails then...  maybe... just maybe... they're safe enough for the rest of us!!!

  I'll let these ladies speak for themselves on what you're missing if you let fearmongers scare you away:

Grandmothers Bike 62-Mile Silver Comet Trail

Read here the October Atlanta Journal-Constitution story about five women, ages 48 to 63, all grandmothers, who biked the full 62 miles of the SCT from Smyrna to the Alabama State Line and then made the return trip as well.

Lawrence septuagenarian completes 98-mile bike ride

In this story, available here, a 76-year-old woman, three daughters, and a friend biked the full 98 miles of the combined Chief Ladiga and Silver Comet Trails from Anniston, AL to Smyrna, GA.

Come on, gang.  Don't let these grannies outdo you 'cause you're scared!