The nonprofit Georgia Hi-Lo Trail, Inc. announces the official groundbreaking for the 211-mile trail from Union Point to Savannah, Georgia. The public ceremony is scheduled for 11 AM on July 27th at 1200 Bartow Road in Sandersville.
The celebration will take place following the annual Sandersville Sizzler 5K Trail Run and MTB Race. It kicks off construction of the longest paved trail in the United States and marks the beginning of Phase 1 of the Washington County Model Project. This initial 2.2-mile segment is in Forest Grove Preserve, a registered Georgia Centennial Farm that is also on the National Register of Historic Places.
Along the trail will also be the longest arboretum in the U.S. The initial segment will begin at Ridge Road Elementary, located north of Forest Grove Preserve and continue to the southern end of the property. Details outlining the Washington County Model Project along with planning for Greene, Hancock, Johnson, Emanuel, Bulloch, Effingham, and Chatham Counties are detailed in the Georgia Hi-Lo Plan created in collaboration with the nonprofit Path Foundation. The full plan is available for review on GeorgiaHiLo.org.
“Getting to this day has been a big lift,” said Mitch Sheppard, Board President for Georgia Hi-Lo Trail, Inc. “We have been fortunate to earn support from amazing partners that have helped move this ambitious project forward. None have done more to promote progress than PATH Foundation. Greta deMayo and her team have helped us realize the dreams of Hi-Lo Founder, Mary Charles Howard.”
“PATH is proud to work with Georgia Hi-Lo Trail to help implement the vision to connect and empower rural Georgia,” says Greta deMayo, Executive Director of PATH Foundation. “We see how trails promote community prosperity and wellness – from spurring economic development and offering alternative transportation options to creating safe, peaceful greenspaces that nurture physical and emotional health. We’re excited to join Georgia Hi-Lo and are with them for the long haul as they embark on this this ambitious journey over the next three decades. We look forward to the day we celebrate the first ribbon cutting!”
ABOUT GEORGIA HI-LO TRAIL, INC.
Georgia Hi-Lo Trail, Inc. is a 501(c)3 organization dedicated to connecting and empowering rural Georgia through the development of the 211-mile Georgia Hi-Lo Trail. The trail will join communities across an 8-county area, and when complete will connect to the 38-mile Firefly Trail to create the longest paved trail in the U.S. Georgia Hi-Lo Trail programming includes the following initiatives to promote its values and raise awareness for its mission. Kids Bike League serves children within the eight-county region to deliver equal access to bikes, opportunities to ride, and empowerment for growth. Learn more on KidsBikeLeague.org. Athens to Savannah Ride, scheduled for October 17-20, 2024, offers cyclists the choice between a 3-day road ride or a 4-day gravel ride, both covering 285 miles and finishing in Historic Downtown Savannah. Learn more onAthensToSavannah.com.
For media inquiries, contact Fonda Johnson, Communications for Georgia Hi-Lo Trail Inc. Email fjohnson@
