The Path Foundation, working with the Chattahoochee Hill Country, representatives of Coweta, Carroll, Fulton and Douglas county governments, local landowners and outdoor enthusiasts, completed the Chattahoochee Hill Country Regional Greenway Trail Master Plan in September of 2003. The four county governments jointly funded the master plan to determine if a four-county recreational trail system could be designed connecting existing greenspaces.

Initially, CHC area stakeholders compiled a list of important places to be connected within the Hill Country and beyond. As many of the desired destinations for the proposed multi-use trail were outside the 40,000 acres designated as “the Hill Country”, the planning endeavor expanded to include 60,000 acres and portions of Carroll, Coweta and Douglas counties.

Connecting the desired destinations while preserving and even enhancing the natural environment became a fundamental goal of the plan. Using a variety of environmentally friendly materials, the non-motorized paths would accommodate horse, pedestrian and bike traffic. As much of the trail as possible would be built on existing right of ways and public utility easements in order to minimize the necessity to acquire and disturb natural areas.

The Chattahoochee River corridor serves as the spine of the proposed trail system. The plan envisions the trail criss-crossing the River on four new bridges, two pedestrian-scale ferries, and two existing highway bridges.

‘Spoke’ trails to existing parks, historic places and population centers will intersect the River Trail, eventually connecting to Path’s Atlanta Greenway Trail System. Construction of a connector spoke from the eastern-most anchoring park, the new Fulton-Palmetto Crescent, to MARTA access at the City of Palmetto, is also desired to provide better access to the system to Atlanta residents.

The proposal includes the conversion of the existing Highway 16 bridge that crosses the Chattahoochee River between Carroll and Coweta counties to strictly non-motorized access, once the DOT has completed and opened the new Highway 16 bridge to vehicular traffic. This would provide safe and secure access to the trail leading to Whitesburg, McIntosh Reserve and Chattahoochee Bend State Park. The non-motorized multi-use trail system is designed to minimize impact to the landscape and maximize the rural experience.

II. Implementation

The Commissions of Carroll, Coweta, Douglas and Fulton counties have adopted the Master Plan.  Fulton County has identified its initial trail segment, the Scenic Byway Trail, which will run from Cochran Mill Nature Center to the City of Palmetto.  The community and the Chattahoochee Hill Country will work with other county governments to identify their first trail segments and sources of funding. Through this regional approach to connecting greenspaces and population centers via a non-motorized trail, the four counties will coordinate the trail’s design and route, while improving the trail’s eligibility for federal transportation funding.

III. Signed Resolutions

Carroll County

Douglas County

Coweta - page 1

Coweta - page 2

Please refer to Meetings/Events for more information about community and public meetings about the Trail.

For more information:

Value of Trails

CHC and the Path Foundation Partnership