FAQs
Why are you doing this trail plan?
City leadership asked PATH to work with the community to co-create a new trail vision as the last trail plan was written in 1993.
Citizens have indicated during Activate ATL, the City’s parks comprehensive plan, that their #1 desire was for the city to build more multi-use trails to and through parks.
Trails such as the BeltLine, PATH400, and the Silver Comet Trail have greatly improved Atlantans’ quality of life. In a quest for equity, the long-term vision is that all Atlantans have 10-minute pedestrian access to a high-quality trail.
What’s the benefit of trails to my community?
Recreation and Health Benefits
Social health – enable families, friends and neighbors to enjoy time together on trails
Mental health – enable low stress travel and opportunities to get away from it all for a few moments
Physical health – burn calories while enjoying a trail with friends or getting to your destination
Transportation Benefits - The top six trail destinations for Atlantans in recent surveys are:
Trails to shopping and retail areas
Trails to parks
Trails to the Beltline
Trails to schools
Trails to workplaces
Trails to MARTA
Economic Benefits
Save money on transportation by driving less or not at all
Save money on recreation by enjoying free beautiful public space
Save money on health by reducing likelihood of costly conditions like heart disease and diabetes
Reduce the city’s transportation burden and taxes required for car infrastructure
Environmental
Reduce greenhouse gas emissions
Open up access to neglected green spaces
Coordinate storm water management and stream bank viability
Encourage community gardens in or near public spaces
When will we see trails in our neighborhood?
Please let your council member know that you want the city to prioritize funding for trails. Once a trail has funding, assuming it is local funding, it should be built within three years.
How will you build the trails?
PATH will work directly with the city departments of transportation, parks, planning, and watershed to deliver each trail project through design, engineering, permitting, procurement and construction.
Additional public meetings will be held for each trail project once design begins so you can see the proposed design and give us feedback.
What can I do to help make trails happen in my district?
Attend the Trails ATL public meetings closest to your home. Find the meeting schedule here.
If you missed the meeting, please review the presentation and the draft greenway map here.
Take all three Trails ATL surveys – one for each round of outreach. Surveys are located here.
Tell your council member what trails you want, where and why. Let them know to prioritize trails for funding.
Tell your friends and neighbors about the meetings and the survey. The more people that express enthusiasm for a trail, the easier it is for our elected leaders to be enthusiastic about trails.
Post about the Trails ATL plan on your social media accounts.
Go visit Atlanta’s existing trails and tell your friends, family and elected leaders how much you enjoy them.
Are these proposed trails going to be built for sure?
City leadership needs to hear that you want trails prioritized during budget planning. Local funding is the best for trails because it comes with less strings and means trails can be opened for your use sooner.
When funding is allocated, yes, the trail will be built – typically within three years.
Will the proposed trails be part of a regional network?
The proposed trails will be part of the regional trail network. Trail alignments will be designed to line up with trails outside city borders.
Will parking be provided for trail users?
Parking for trails will be within parks or adjacent commercial areas. Trails will connect to areas that have parking so existing parking can be used. We do not anticipate building parking for trails beyond what is already available.
Will the trails have lighting and cameras?
As trail projects move forward, each project will be considered for lighting and cameras. Some will operate like parks and close at dark, while others will have lighting and operate past dark for ease of transportation.
Security cameras will be considered for all trails – especially at entry points.
If you feel strongly about lighting and cameras on a particular proposed trail, please let us know!
How will trail security be addressed? Will the trails be safe?
Atlanta trails are and will continue to be safe places for Atlantans to enjoy. The Atlanta Police Department and the Department of Parks and Recreation both have security teams dedicated to keeping our trails safe. These teams will be expanded as the trail network is expanded.
Security teams rely on foot patrols, bicycle patrols, lighting and cameras as primary tools. Trail users are encouraged to call 9-1-1 to report anything suspicious and to call 3-1-1 if there are any maintenance issues presenting a safety hazard.
How will the trails be maintained?
Trail maintenance is managed by the Department of Parks and Recreation. Trail users are encouraged to call 3-1-1 to report maintenance issues.
Part of trail funding will be an ongoing line item for maintenance so that Parks is sure to have sufficient resources for trail maintenance and repair.
Trails will be designed so that maintenance needs and costs are lower over the long run.
What kind of vehicles are allowed on trails?
Wheelchairs, bicycles, walkers, strollers, unicycles, battery-powered scooters, and e-bicycles are allowed on trails. For the safety of all users, the speed limit is 15 mph on all trail locations.
Motorized vehicles including motorbikes, motorcycles, golf carts, and ATVs are not allowed on trails.
How will prohibited vehicles be kept from the trails?
Trail design will limit access of non-authorized four-wheel vehicles from entering trails. Prohibited motor vehicles will be subject to citation from the police department.
Please call 3-1-1 if you see prohibited vehicles on a trail and tell them the exact location and time of day. If the problem recurs, reach out to your APD Zone Commander.
How will trail construction in natural areas limit impact?
Trail design and construction methods will incorporate techniques and details such as elevated structures, tree-root bridges, native planting, invasive species removal, and stormwater green infrastructure. In ecologically sensitive areas, trails can be built using very low impact construction methods.
How will tree loss be addressed?
In areas with mature tree canopies, trails are built with low-impact construction methods that are designed using elevated structures to weave through trees within a close distance to their trunks. Any tree impact due to construction or critical root zone impact based on city’s tree ordinance will be reviewed and permitted by the city with required number of trees to be planted back to the same site or right-of-way. Dead, diseased, or hazardous trees will be identified and approved for take down by the city arborist.
How will flooding be addressed?
Trails constructed within the 100-year floodplain that have a stream crossing will be designed and engineered to obtain a “no-rise” certificate to the existing flood elevation. The proposed design and documentation are then reviewed and permitted through Atlanta’s Department Watershed Management. Green infrastructure, such as bioswales or rain gardens, will be incorporated into trail construction to capture runoff from the trail.
How will preservation of wildlife habitat be addressed?
While there are many pockets of forested area within the City of Atlanta, none of them are pristine or untouched – Atlanta was logged heavily after the civil war to build the city and to clear space for farms and later housing and urban development. Today, most of the city’s natural areas are threatened by invasive species and erosion, both of which create grave threats to the tree canopy and the health of streams.
Providing you access to the city’s natural areas is by definition an impact. But today’s trails are designed with a light touch using elevated structures, tree-root bridges, stormwater management techniques, and native plantings. In ecologically sensitive areas, trails are built using very low impact trail construction techniques.
With access to the natural areas, you will have an opportunity to learn about, advocate for, and care for the forests and streams. While Atlanta is not a wilderness area, it can be thought of as a garden that requires the wise involvement of gardeners – like you!
