Newton Trails - Trail Talk Blog

Giving Concrete Evidence

Sun, 13 May 2012 20:16:49 -0500

This Tuesday, May 15, the Newton County Board of Commissioners will vote on construction bids for the trail from the Newton County Public Library/Chimney Park to Eastside High School. After tabling the matter twice, the board is out of time to select a contractor before bids expire. If you care about the type of trail that's built, contact your commissioner before Tuesday night.

The trail design has always been a 10-foot-wide concrete surface. However, due to concerns over available funding, the county requested bids for both concrete and asphalt. Every bid received was above the current project budget. The lowest asphalt bid was roughly $9,000 more, while the lowest concrete bid was $120,000 more. The City of Covington prefers concrete, because of the lower maintenance costs and longer useful life. And, the City Council voted already to pay half of the additional construction cost, meaning Newton County only needs to come up with $60,000.

The board of Newton Trails believes concrete is the better choice and best investment, for multiple reasons. And, because the Commissioners already voted in December 2010 to authorize another $100,000 to complete the trail, we believe they need to carry forward now with that commitment and build the original, full design. On April 25, we wrote the commissioners a letter, which you can read here.

Please read our letter and -- if you agree -- contact your commissioner on Monday or Tuesday. Let them know the trail is important to you and urge them to build with concrete as originally planned.

Happy Bike Month, Covington

Sun, 06 May 2012 08:58:38 -0500

There are so many ways to enjoy a trail besides by bike. A brisk walk, a jog, a casual stroll with a good friend, quiet meditation on a bench, rollerblading, birdwatching, or walking the dog all come to mind.

But, May is National Bike Month. And, this year, it's also Bike Month in the City of Covington. So, today, the focus is on biking. Whether you're still an active cyclist today, or you gave your bike up not long after training wheels, we all have a story somewhere about riding a bicycle. I shared mine in my weekly column in today's Covington News. (If you can't access, the text of my column is here.)

Join us today, on the Covington Square, at 3 pm, to celebrate as Mayor Ronnie Johnston proclaims May 2012 Bike Month in the City of Covington. Then, roll away with us for the perfect "Sunday drive" on two wheels under your own power. Smiles are guaranteed.,

A Rallying Cry for All of Us

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 13:28:55 -0500

I hope many of you were able to watch episode 1 of the PBS Series Designing Healthy Communities, which aired last night at 7 pm on WGTV in Atlanta. Entitled Retrofitting Suburbia, this first installment of the four-part series was fantastic -- a compelling call to action for those who see the clear and frightening ways in which our built environment is making millions of Americans sick. Apparently, I was not the only one who thought so, based on the calls, texts, emails, and Facebook posts coming in during and after the show.

In his comments and the stories he shared, Dr. Richard Jackson confronted head on the public health factors we believe a trail system can help combat. When someone with his credentials tells us what doctors are seeing and where current trends are leading, I really hope public officials are taking note.

If you watched, I'd love to see your comments and reflections about the program. What does it all mean for us here in Newton County? If you didn't watch, here's a short snippet of what you missed.

Also, I was so impressed with the program I purchased the entire DVD set. So, watch for announcements of future screening events where we can gather to watch and discuss what it all means for Newton County.

Help Build Tomorrow's Economy Today

Wed, 04 Apr 2012 15:57:09 -0500

On Monday, Atlanta Business Chronicle columnist Maria Saporta published a great blog post titled "More cycling, walking and green space will make Atlanta a more competitive and livable city." In that article, Saporta shared comments from national experts visiting Atlanta last week for two separate events: Park Pride and the Cities for Cycling Road Show. Across both events, and in presentations by many speakers, the common message was clear: walking, biking, and public green space are vital to our region's long term growth and prosperity.

In another Monday report, Saporta recapped a talk by developer and Brookings Institute Senior Fellow Chris Leinberger. Saying "Hot-lanta is No Longer Hot," Leinberger delivered a pointed wake up call to Rotary Club of Atlanta members. In a talk heavy on examples of how other cities are outpacing our region in every key economic indicator, he criticized Atlanta for investing in "yesterday's economy and not tomorrow's." In particular, he stressed the importance of transit and creating "walkable urban spaces rather than drivable suburban spaces."

“That’s why Atlanta has flat-lined,” Leinberger said. "It only has five walkable urban neighborhoods while Washington, D.C. has more than 40."

These experts were speaking of the metro Atlanta region, which reaches well into the western fringes of Newton County. But, the sounding alarms should be heeded by leadership across all of Newton County. Like the state and the metro region, we must stop building yesterday's economy and lay the groundwork for the economy of tomorrow. Ironically, while our county has fallen far behind in yesterday's framework, we have certain advantages if we embrace the coming model. Leinberger alluded to one such advantage when describing the "experience economy" built on tourism, which he called "the biggest industry on the planet." Newton County has an edge there, but now is when we must exploit it. And, as we have said many times, greenway trails are great tourism attractions with proven economic impact.

Thankfully, some Newton County leaders are recognizing the urgent need for better walking and biking facilities in area. To that end, the cities of Covington, Oxford, and Porterdale (C-O-P) have launched a project with the Northeast Georgia Regional Commission (NEGRC) and Newton Trails to examine current facilities and identify priorities for improving walking and biking. Mayors Ronnie Johnston, Jerry Roseberry, and Arline Chapman are all actively engaged, along with County Commission Chair Kathy Morgan. This is a huge step forward in recognizing what the Regional Walking and Biking Plan already shows -- that C-O-P is a critical focus area for the region.

You can make a difference by responding to a questionnaire the city's are conducting through NEGRC. A paper version of the survey is being mailed in this month's utility bills, but you can take the survey now online. We have leaders willing to chart a new course; show them you have their backs by taking the survey and making it clear the people of Newton County are ready to embrace the future.

We can do this!

Weaving the Fabric of a Strong Community

Thu, 08 Mar 2012 11:29:13 -0500

At an evening reception on Monday, February 27, Newton Trails was presented a check for $4,059 from the Newton Fund of the Community Foundation of Greater Atlanta. Joining us at the podium were representatives of fellow grant recipients: Project ReNeWal Domestic Violence Intervention Program, The Salvation Army, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul - St. Augustine Conference, and Washington Street Community Center. It is humbling to be recognized alongside these incredible organizations that do so much for Newton County.

As I said in my remarks to the attendees, "I don't need to tell you this, but I need for you to know we know it. These are difficult times, and ours is very much a community in need. With so many struggling to keep shelter over head and food on the table, it’s easy to view trails, green space, and recreation as niceties and not necessities. We don’t see it that way, but we know it took foresight for the advisory committee to recognize the importance of what we do. Thank you for sharing our vision."

I went on to talk about growing evidence that our built environment is forcing people into cars and away from simple, effective physical activities like walking and biking that can help combat the growing incidence of child and adult obesity and related illnesses. I explained why we believe there is a health crisis in our community (and all across America) and why we believe trails are a vital element for addressing that crisis.

The US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has an entire program called Healthy Places and a number of resources, including the Healthy Communities Design Checklist. Not surprisingly, sidewalks, bike lanes, parks, trails, and green space are all key elements highlighted for their positive impact on community health.

Another useful resource is the Designing Healthy Communities series produced by Dr. Richard Jackson, MD and broadcast by the Public Broadcast System (PBS). Here's a preview clip of episode 1, Retrofitting Suburbia:

Episode 1: Retrofitting Suburbia (preview all episodes here) from MPC on Vimeo.

When you look at Newton Trails and our four fellow non-profits receiving support this year from the Newton Fund, we each seek to solve different problems. The Salvation Army and the Society of St. Vincent de Paul are reaching out in a personal way with a helping hand to put food on the tables, clothes on the backs, and roofs over the heads of families in need in our community. Project ReNeWal provides safe haven and counseling in an effort to break the terrible cycle of domestic abuse. Washington Street Community Center gives young people, parents, and grandparents tools and skills to find a path to a better life through education and mentoring in life skills.

We're all threads -- along with many other non-profits in Newton County -- weaving the fabric of a stronger community. It takes all of us. We encourage you to support everyone trying to make this a better community. We are grateful for the gifts of time, money, and encouragement you give to Newton Trails, and we hope you feel good knowing you are making a difference.

We've Reached a Serious Fork in the Road

Sun, 12 Feb 2012 14:12:01 -0500

For two decades, walking and biking have been making a comeback in America. Faced with runaway fuel prices and soaring health costs driven by obesity-related illnesses and the perils of a sedentary lifestyle, Americans are rediscovering the health and economic benefits of active transportation. Sadly, our current US Congress seems hell-bent on reversing those positive trends in one fell swoop of legislative folly. And, time is running short for you and I to change that.

This week, the US House and Senate will debate and likely vote on legislation to reauthorize the transportation law that expired almost 2-1/2 years ago. And, sadly, both the Senate version (MAP-21) and the House version (HR7) have stripped bare all funding for pedestrian and bicycle programs. Gone are the Transportation Enhancements (TE) program used to build sidewalks, bike lanes, and shared use paths across America, as well as the Safe Routes to School program that has successfully reintroduced school-aged children in communities across our land to the simple act of walking or riding a bike to school -- something most of us took for granted growing up. In the House, even a bi-partisan, Republican-sponsored amendment to restore these programs was voted down in the Transportation Committee. Only a NO vote to HR7on the House floor can save the day now.

At a time of economic turbulence and runaway federal deficits, it may feel especially awkward to stand and demand money for bike/ped projects. But, we are not asking to spend more. We ask only that what we do spend on transportation in America be allocated fairly to all modes and not dedicated solely to the automobile. Existing law is already far less than fair, as evidenced by the 2012 Benchmarking Report from the Alliance for Walking and Biking. While walking and biking account for 12% of the trips made in America, only 1.6% of our transportation dollars are spent for bicycle or pedestrian facilities. Worse yet, 14% of the fatalities in vehicle crashes on our roadways are deaths to pedestrians and cyclists. In the past four years alone, some 20,000 pedestrians and 2,800 cyclists nationwide died for the simple act of walking or biking -- by choice or necessity -- on our roadways.

In a situation crying out for doing more to ensure the safety of our most vulnerable transportation system users, Congress is poised to make the overnight switch to doing nothing at all. It's staggering.

We need to speak up now. There is not time to wait. If you need more information to understand why these proposed bills are so bad, please read these:

Transportation for America: Make a call to oppose House transportation bill so “uniquely bad” that it “defies belief”
Alliance for Walking and Biking: Save Our Streets: Oppose the House Bill, Support the Senate Amendment
League of American Bicyclists: Boehner Bike Path Blog is Baloney, Say Bicyclists

We're at a fork in the road. One path leads forward to a more balanced, healthier, happier tomorrow where safe walking and biking are a reality and Americans have an alternative to traffic congestion, dirty air, and the insecurity of dependence on foreign oil. The other path -- the one Congress is on -- takes us back 30 years or more to a continued reliance on the failed, narrow-minded notion that we can bulldoze and pave our way to the future. While there is still time, you decide.

For an easy method to write both Georgia Senators and your Representative, click here. It's very important that you also follow up Monday morning with phone calls:

Senator Saxby Chambliss: 202-224-3521
Senator Johnny Isakson: 202-224-3643
Representative Austin Scott: 202-225-4272
Representative Rob Woodall: 202-225-6531

We who hesitate are lost. Act now.

We should not need an escorted community bike ride each month to make people feel safe about walking or biking through downtown Covington.

It's What You Do with the Location that Matters

Sun, 22 Jan 2012 12:42:41 -0500

"The way we design and build our communities can affect our physical and mental health. Healthy community design integrates evidence-based health strategies into community planning, transportation, and land-use decisions."

Those aren't my words. They're from the US Centers for Disease Control, explaining the idea behind the CDC's Healthy Community Design initiative. I'm thinking a great deal about healthy places after a business trip this week to the Twin Cities of Minneapolis-St Paul, Minnesota. I knew of Minneapolis's reputation as one of the most bicycle-friendly cities in America. But, I had no idea just how much that health-conscious mentality pervades the city's culture. Indeed, the trails and greenways are everywhere -- transecting downtowns and outlying communities, circling lakes, and paralleling rivers. More than 100 miles of trails by last count. But, equally impressive was the plethora of dining choices based on fresh ingredients and healthy food choices. Even, in the airport, the usual fast food fare was obscured by places offering up uniquely nutritious choices. Despite winter's bitter embrace, you could feel the good health vibrations pulsing through this city.

Small wonder people are taking notice. In May of 2011, the American College of Sports Medicine designated Minneapolis-St Paul as the fittest cities in America, based on its American Fitness Index. That measure considers factors such as the percentage of residents who smoke, obesity rates, percentage of people who exercise, and availability of parks, walking trails and farmers' markets.

You can read more about the rankings and what sets the Twin Cities apart in USA Today and Forbes.

American businesses have taken note as well, with more than 70 major corporations and 18 Fortune 500 corporations headquartered in the Twin Cities and the surrounding metropolitan area.

How have these northern communities in the harshest of climates made such a serious commitment to outdoor recreation and fitness, while cities in the far more hospitable south seem to remain unconvinced? Small wonder that national statistics on health and obesity-related illnesses consistently show the southern states falling to the bottom.

It's the place that matters. Not just the natural gifts of where we are, but the man-made environment we create. When we place no value on recreation, good food, and fitness, we put no importance on our health or that of our children. To change that, we need passion, enthusiasm, and committed leadership like you'll here in the video below.

Stopping by Rails on a Chilly Morning

Sat, 14 Jan 2012 12:30:54 -0500

An unplanned detour to stroll along the railroad tracks through downtown Covington had me thinking of Robert Frost's poem Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening. And, with apologies to the good poet, my mind soon wandered through a rhyme of my own imagination...

Whose woods these are I think I know.
It is a corporation though;
They may not want me walking here
While I enjoy the morning glow.

There are some folks who think it queer
That I should hold this place so dear
And ever dream that this might be
A lovely trail for you and me.

I give my head a slow, sad shake,
Lamenting roads we did not take.
Perhaps if they were with me now,
They’d come to understand somehow.

These lovely rails, I won’t forsake.
For I have dreams I cannot shake,
And miles to go before I rest,
And miles to go before I rest.

Building a Different Kind of Superhighway

Thu, 29 Dec 2011 00:00:26 -0500

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!

There's No Time Like the Present

Wed, 07 Dec 2011 11:10:04 -0500

In difficult economic times, it's easy to understand why some Newton County residents can't imagine investing in greenway trails for walking and biking. "Maybe later," they say. "But, now is not the time." On one level, I get that. But, on a deeper level, there is an assumption things will simply get better with time. And, there is every reason to believe that is no longer a given.

Last week, University of Georgia economists at the Selig Center for Economic Growth issued a dire forecast for Georgia's economic recovery this decade. According to the report, the Georgia economy will not return to pre-recession employment levels until 2020. More important than the timeline for recovery is the underlying message of what it will take to achieve it. For years, Georgia's economic growth outpaced the rest of the nation, fueled by technology, housing, and finance. But, the tech bust of the early 2000s and the real estate collapse of the late 2000s has meant a drastic and sudden reversal of fortunes in our state. The message from UGA's economists is that we must rethink growth strategies and recalibrate around a new set of drivers for the Georgia economy of the 21st century.

And now you're probably asking "what does this have to do with walking and biking trails?"

According to Maria Saporta, in her Atlanta Business Chronicle blog, it has everything to do with walking and biking. She shared her perspective on what the UGA forecast means to Georgians in an article published Monday titled "After decades of growth, Georgia now facing a whole new economic reality."

In Saporta's view, Georgia has been coasting for years on past glories. And, in this century, we have lost our competitive edge. Looking at US cities faring best this decade, she sees a common thread for economic vibrancy: places that appeal to college-educated youth.

"Because they can choose where they want to live," Saporta writes. "Young people are picking cities and states with great amenities — communities that offer a high quality of life for them — walkable live, work and play neighborhoods with sidewalks, bicycle lanes, parks, transit and a thriving arts and cultural scene."

Maybe those arguing "now is not the time" for building greenway trails and parks are right. Perhaps, as it turns out, the time to do so was yesterday! Not only must Georgia compete with other states and Atlanta with other metro areas for growth, but Newton County must go toe-to-toe with the rest of Georgia. If not this, then what? What is our strategy for creating a place tourists want to visit and small businesses and growth industries want to call home?

Perhaps yesterday was the time to act, but we are where we are. And, there's no time like the present.