The popularity of the walking trail along the banks of Black Branch from Gilbert-Stephenson Park to Fort Oglethorpe City Hall prompted city officials to seek another $100,000 federal trails program grant to extend it.
“Fort Oglethorpe is one of 17 trails grant recipients in Georgia,” Mayor Ronnie Cobb said.
“The trail we use now is phase one of the Old Post Greenway-Black Branch trail,” the mayor said. This phase two grant will allow walking trail expansion from Gilbert-Stephenson Park to Constitution Hall on Forrest Road.”
He said notification of grant approval came last week from the Georgia Department of Natural Resources.
The initial phase of the trail project was planned to run from Forrest Road south to Harker Road, Mr. Cobb said.
“One or two residents along that proposed route objected to the trail going through their property near the creek,” he said. “The city gained approval to switch the project to the trail we have in use.”
Recreation Director Jeff Long said the city match was to be a minimum $20,000, but will probably be more.
“Our estimate for the project was about $200,000, so our share will exceed the required $20,000,” Mr. Long said.
Mr. Cobb said future city trail grant plans may extend the trail south to Harker Road. “The final phase of the trail system will cross LaFayette Road to Barnhardt Circle,” he said.
Mr. Cobb said the trail has been a big success, and the track at Gilbert-Stephenson Park receives extensive use.
“The view along the creek is scenic and the current trail that comes past City Hall is among the more heavily-used recreation venues,” the mayor said.
Mr. Cobb said work by Mr. Long, City Manager Ron Goulart and other city employees during the grant application process proved instrumental in the selection process.
