Trail Connections Within Our County and Beyond

Plans to construct a trail along Bells Ferry Road are underway. County leaders are in the concept phase currently, which is expected to take about a year. Thomas & Hutton Engineering Co. was awarded the standard construction services agreement for the concept design of the Bells Ferry MultiUse Trail. This federally funded project consists of a 3.5-mile, 10-foot-wide path along the west side of Bells Ferry Road, from the Cobb County line to Victory Drive. The project is part of the Bells Ferry widening project.

That’s not the only location where a trail connection with Cobb has been proposed. The

Noonday Creek Trail, starting next to Reformation Brewery in Woodstock and winding down to Highway 92 will connect to Cobb County’s extensive trail system, tying Woodstock’s trails all the way to the Silver Comet Trail, into Atlanta and beyond. The city of Woodstock already has acquired the right of way and funding, and expects to have this connection completed in 2024.

The Woodstock City Council also has designated three tracts of land along Little River to comprise a 106-acre park site. Little River Park will be the city’s largest park, extending from Trickum Road down to the Woodlands. In addition to proposed paddle launches, boardwalks, treehouses and more, the trail system will extend the length of the park, creating significant east-west connectivity and an alternate transportation option. In Canton, the walkway that runs from Etowah Park through Heritage Park soon will expand through what used to be Crescent Farm and reach Boling Park. Expected to be completed by the end of the year, the fully paved system of interconnected sidewalks will take parkgoers from Etowah River Park to Heritage to Boling, or vice versa, without having to cross any major roadways and — for runners — a complete 10K without ever passing the same spot.

The Wanderer has been a resident of Cherokee County for nearly 20 years, and constantly is learning about his community on daily walks, which totaled a little more than 2,000 miles in 2022. Send questions or comments to wanderingga@gmail.com.