Sandersville Council adopted a resolution in support of the development of a regional linear park on the Georgia Hi-Lo Trail linking Sandersville to Athens, Statesboro, Savannah, and over 20 rural Georgia towns at their Monday, July 20 City Council meeting.
The resolution of support from the City of Sandersville notes that tourism is a critical component of bringing economic development to Sandersville, and it is the desire of the City Council to build upon existing assets that attract tourists to the region.
The vision of the Georgia Hi-Lo Trail is to build America’s longest paved multi-use trail from Athens to Savannah to empower rural people.
“It would be a great draw to this region,” said Mayor Pro-Tem Jeffery Smith. He added, “It would be a great benefit for this County.”
Mary Charles Howard, founder of the Georgia Hi-Lo Trail, explained on the Georgia Hi-Lo Trail website that she decided to start the trail in 2019 after seeing the success of Athens’ Firefly Trail.
The mission of the Georgia Hi-Lo Trail is to create a 250-mile road- separated trail from Athens to Savannah.
The proposed timeline is to lay 76 miles of trail from Union Point to Wrightsville by 2040. This will connect Wrightsville to Athens via Athens Firefly and Georgia Hi-Lo’s trails. Engaged partners in Savannah will begin planning the southernmost trailhead in Savannah.
By 2055, Georgia Hi-Lo will have completed the trail, bridging the gap between Savannah and Athens via trails. Georgia Hi-Lo will have invested $400 million in the construction of the project, paving 191 miles for over 588,000 Georgians who live in the 25 communities that the trail will touch.
“The City of Sandersville’s Mayor and City Council recognize the health and wellness benefits of a regional linear park providing people of all ages with attractive, safe, accessible, and low, or no-cost places to cycle, walk, or run so that citizens may incorporate exercise into their daily routines by connecting them with places they want or need to go and therefore encouraging physical activity by making use of the linear corridor,” reads the resolution adopted by the Sandersville City Council at their Monday, July 20 City Council meeting.
The resolution notes that the Mayor and Council recognize the economic impact and transportation benefits of a regional linear park within Sandersville, and desire the Georgia Hi-Lo Trail to be developed as the foundation of a regional linear park system in support of the region’s tourism economy, and as an alternative means of transportation.
Mayor Pro-Tem Jeffery Smith moved to adopt the resolution; Councilperson Mayme Dennis seconded, and the vote carried unanimously by the Council members present.
For more information on the planning and development of the Georgia Hi-Lo Trail, please click HERE.
