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Parks commission wins $200,000 grant for accessible "Wheel Beautiful" trail
Summary
The Parks Commission announced a $200,000 recreational trails grant for a one-mile accessible "Wheel Beautiful Universal Scenic Access Trail" in New Riverlands Park; community donations have raised roughly $255,000 and a pending Georgia EPD grant could add an estimated $235,000.
Diana Wilson, chair of the Parks Commission, told the council that the city has secured a $200,000 recreational trails program grant to build the "Wheel Beautiful Universal Scenic Access Trail," a one‑mile accessible route through New Riverlands Park with viewing platforms above the Chattahoochee River.
Wilson said the commission has raised or secured $255,000 so far through community donations and in‑kind materials (Vulcan Materials, Community Brickworks, Art Farm at Serenbe, and private contributions from parks commissioners). She described the commission’s research into trail surfacing, citing rubber modified asphalt (RMA) as a smoother, more resilient pervious surface; Georgia’s Environmental Protection Division is offering a grant for RMA, and the commission applied by the Sept. 30 deadline and expects to learn results in February.
If the RMA grant is awarded, Wilson said the project could receive an additional roughly $235,000, bringing the total funding close to $500,000. She told council the trail will be ADA‑oriented and intended to broaden access for wheelchairs, strollers, and those with limited mobility. "We are going to have our real beautiful scenic universal design trail," Wilson said.
The council voted to move one related signage presentation to the Nov. 7 meeting; the parks commission will continue design, fundraising, and coordination with city staff and potential grantors.
