FORT OGLETHORPE — Fort Oglethorpe is $100,000 closer to finishing a walking trail that officials plan to weave through the Catoosa County city.
“We’re going to link these things one day so you can just walk ’til you get tired,” Mayor Ronnie Cobb told the City Council and a few media members Thursday at a special called meeting.
At the meeting, the council unanimously accepted the state grant and said the money would go toward a comfort station, a parking area and a new concrete path between Gracie Avenue and Shelby Street.
“It’s nothing but a win-win for our citizens,” said councilman and avid walker Red Smith.
The newly funded portion of the route will be part of phase three of the trail, which could be four or five miles long by the time it’s completed, Mr. Smith explained.
Phase one is already complete and runs from Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe High School past City Hall to Van Cleve Street. Phase two is under construction and will run from Van Cleve through a city park and across Forrest Road before hitting the forthcoming parking area and comfort station, officials said.
Phase three then would run down to Gleason Park and phase four would connect the park to Barnhardt Circle and the Chickamauga Battlefield.
“That’s going to be an enhancer to the city,” Mr. Smith said. “Our seniors love it.”
The city estimates the grant will fall short of funding all of phase three, with the city still on the hook for about $113,000. But trails, in addition to the health benefits, are an important part of the recreation opportunities residents expect in the tri-state area, officials said.
Mr. Cobb said the city might not even be done creating footpaths after phase four is complete.
“We’re looking at trails all over the city,” he said.