Enjoying a Year of Growth

If you live in Cherokee County, chances are you have heard about the growing network of trails that increases your ability to get outside and connect with the natural resources in this area. Although the plan for trails is not new, the growth happening this year alone has been impressive.

In March 2017, the city of Woodstock held a groundbreaking ceremony for the Towne Lake Pass Trail, dedicating the segment to Mary Tessa Bassford, a former councilwoman who passed away in 2014. This 2-mile trail will provide a connection from downtown Woodstock to just north of Woodstock High School on Towne Lake Hills South Drive. This trail segment should be completed by the end of the year, and will provide a critical connection for residents between downtown Woodstock and Towne Lake Parkway.  Funding for this segment came from the Cherokee County Parks Bond.

In addition, the City of Woodstock and Cherokee County recently began the scoping phase of the Noonday Creek Trail from Highway 92 south to Noonday Park in Cobb County. Currently, there is a 4-mile gap between the Cherokee and Cobb County Noonday Creek trails. The study will look at the best path for this first 1.5-mile section that Cherokee residents can use to get to Noonday Park. That will leave a 2.5-mile gap for Cobb County to connect their Noonday Creek Trail. Once both counties connect to Noonday Creek Park, Towne Lake and Woodstock residents will be able to utilize the trails to get to Kennesaw Mountain, Kennesaw State University, the new SunTrust Park and, eventually, the Beltline.

This month, Greenprints Alliance is announcing a partnership with Rezide Properties and Zagster Bike Share Program. In March, local developer Tony Perry of Rezide Properties agreed to be the program’s inaugural sponsor. The first installment of bikes will be on the Noonday Creek and Rubes Creek Trail. Over time, more bikes will be added to the system. The rental prices are nominal to the end user, and all proceeds from the bike rentals will be reinvested in the trail system.

Greenprints Alliance hosts its annual Trailfest fundraiser on May 6. The event, which culminates in a great live music show featuring the Dexateens, kicks off with the early morning Plae Hard 5K (sponsored by Northside Hospital Cherokee) on the Noonday Creek Trail. Come join us and learn more about trails!

By Jennifer Stockton