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Board adopts DeKalb County Trails & Greenway Master Plan; vision network prioritizes connectivity, estimates $225–$265M capital cost
Summary
DeKalb County commissioners voted to adopt the DeKalb County Trails and Greenway Master Plan after a presentation that proposed a countywide vision network, extensive stakeholder engagement, and an estimated $225–$265 million in one‑time capital costs to fully implement.
DeKalb County commissioners voted to adopt the DeKalb County Trails and Greenway Master Plan after a multi‑department presentation from Parks & Recreation staff and the plan’s lead consultant, Tool Design Group.
The presentation emphasized connectivity across the county, citing the county’s 2022 Comprehensive Transportation Plan and the 2050 Unified Plan as planning predecessors. Consultant Eric Childs and staff described an intensive public‑engagement process that included five open houses, pop‑up events, intercept surveys, guided walking tours, and 10 stakeholder interviews with 44 local leaders, county staff and municipal partners. Project staff said existing plans and municipal trail efforts were incorporated to build an “unconstrained” vision network that the county can prioritize and phase.
What the plan proposes: staff said the vision network would add up to 111 linear miles to the countywide trail and greenway network, resulting in a total system of approximately 176 miles; the consultants also said the implementation would add about 65 linear miles specifically in unincorporated DeKalb County. Staff described a weighted prioritization process that scored segments by trip potential, proximity to transit and activity centers, equity, and public input to produce a prioritized project list.
Cost estimate and maintenance: the consultant presented a full implementation capital estimate in the range of $225 million to $265 million and estimated annual maintenance costs of roughly $2.3 million once the network is complete. The presentation cited regional precedents — for example, a 2013 economic analysis of the Silver Comet Trail — to illustrate potential long‑term economic benefits such as property‑value gains, tourism and recreation spending, and health benefits.
Funding sources discussed included federal opportunities (RAISE, ATIP), state recreational trails grants, local SPLOST allocations, general obligation bond options and other grant programs. Staff noted that DeKalb already programs local funding for trails (the presentation referenced a $16 million SPLOST line item for trails, sidewalks and multipurpose paths) and emphasized that project feasibility and funding strategies will be determined at the segment‑level during subsequent studies. Commissioners repeatedly pressed staff on funding, maintenance of existing trails, and cost‑sharing with municipalities. Commissioner Terry asked whether the plan’s maintenance estimate covered existing trails (staff said the quoted maintenance reflects new construction) and recommended follow‑up feasibility and financial analyses to connect the vision network to capital improvement planning and potential funding vehicles such as TADs, special service districts or a parks/green space bond.
Next steps: staff said the plan provides design standards, maintenance guidance, and a scoring framework for prioritizing segments; they recommended follow‑up feasibility studies for prioritized segments and pursuing identified federal, state and local funding streams. The committee approved the plan and staff will bring feasibility and funding proposals forward as projects move toward implementation.
