About Us
Newton County Trail - Path Foundation, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit incorporated in 1998 to promote and develop a county-wide network of hard-surfaced, multi-use trails for pedestrians and bicyclists in Newton County, Georgia. We partner with local governments by raising private funds for planning, construction, and maintenance. We also provide public outreach and education to inform private citizens, businesses, and civic groups about the health, economic, and environmental benefits on a county trail system.
The trail network we envision will serve as a recreational opportunity and an alternative transportation system that connects neighborhoods, schools, parks, commercial centers, and other local and regional destinations of interest. Whether a trail means to you a place to push a stroller, walk a dog, take a walk in the woods, or bike to Alabama, we all have a common interest to see our community build on the plans set in motion over a decade ago to pave a path to Newton's future
Newton Trails maintains that well-planned trail systems will create a higher quality of life and lead to greater physical, mental, and environmental health for trail users and the community as a whole.
The trail network we envision will serve as a recreational opportunity and an alternative transportation system that connects neighborhoods, schools, parks, commercial centers, and other local and regional destinations of interest. Whether a trail means to you a place to push a stroller, walk a dog, take a walk in the woods, or bike to Alabama, we all have a common interest to see our community build on the plans set in motion over a decade ago to pave a path to Newton's future
Newton Trails maintains that well-planned trail systems will create a higher quality of life and lead to greater physical, mental, and environmental health for trail users and the community as a whole.
Our History
In the 1990s, a small group of local residents began advocating for a trail system from Atlanta to Augusta. They registered as a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization called Newton County Trails-Path Foundation, Inc., and they successfully secured grant funds to build a 4 mile, soft-surface, multi-use trail at the Charlie Elliot Wildlife Center bordering Newton County.
In 1999, the Newton County Commission included a network of trails along existing roads as part of its Comprehensive Plan. In 2001 and 2002, the County secured funds from the Georgia Department of Transportation to run a system of multi-use trails, sidewalks, and bike lanes from Newton County High School to the Newton County Library. Phase I is complete (sidewalks and bike lanes through downtown along Clark and Floyd Streets).
The City of Oxford’s Trees, Parks, and Recreation Board in recent years has worked with citizens and college students on a nature trail in Oxford along undeveloped street rights of way and sewer easements. In 2005, Newton Trails opened its first hard-surface segment along the same route, extending 1/3 mile from West Clark Street to West Soule Street and along the Fletcher Street right of way behind Old Church on Wesley Street.
In 1999, the Newton County Commission included a network of trails along existing roads as part of its Comprehensive Plan. In 2001 and 2002, the County secured funds from the Georgia Department of Transportation to run a system of multi-use trails, sidewalks, and bike lanes from Newton County High School to the Newton County Library. Phase I is complete (sidewalks and bike lanes through downtown along Clark and Floyd Streets).
The City of Oxford’s Trees, Parks, and Recreation Board in recent years has worked with citizens and college students on a nature trail in Oxford along undeveloped street rights of way and sewer easements. In 2005, Newton Trails opened its first hard-surface segment along the same route, extending 1/3 mile from West Clark Street to West Soule Street and along the Fletcher Street right of way behind Old Church on Wesley Street.
In August 2006, Newton Trails completed a 1480-foot loop trail along the Yellow River in Porterdale.
In July 2007, Newton Trails completed another ½ mile of the Oxford Trail, connecting it to Oxford College of Emory University.
In August 2010, Newton Trails extended the Oxford Trail another 1,100 feet from W. Soule Street to W. Watson Street.
In 2010, we entered into a memorandum of understanding with the cities of Mansfield, Newborn, Oxford, and Porterdale, for the purposes of exploring options to acquire the Central of Georgia Railroad corridor from Porterdale to Newborn for possible trail use. See Rails to Trails for more information.
In July 2007, Newton Trails completed another ½ mile of the Oxford Trail, connecting it to Oxford College of Emory University.
In August 2010, Newton Trails extended the Oxford Trail another 1,100 feet from W. Soule Street to W. Watson Street.
In 2010, we entered into a memorandum of understanding with the cities of Mansfield, Newborn, Oxford, and Porterdale, for the purposes of exploring options to acquire the Central of Georgia Railroad corridor from Porterdale to Newborn for possible trail use. See Rails to Trails for more information.
