At its meeting on Tuesday, July 18, the Commission approved the purchase of a piece of property that would make the connection between a large area of currently inaccessible greenspace and Amerson River Park that would allow a significant extension of the Ocmulgee Heritage Trail. Once connected, there will be nearly 450 total acres of greenspace from Arkwright Road all the way through Amerson River Park.
“Before a few years ago, we never thought an extension of the Trail and the opening of this greenspace to the public could be possible, but with the donation by the Georgia Department of Transportation, a new vision became apparent,” says Mayor Lester Miller. “We can now open up many more miles of trail, offer more opportunities for health and recreation, and have one of our preeminent parks become even more of a destination.”
“This is more than we could have dreamed of as we’ve worked to make connections along our river and into Downtown Macon,” says Urban Development Authority Executive Director Alex Morrison. “The Macon Action Plan stresses the importance – based on our community’s input – of connecting people and neighborhoods to parks and services, and one of those was the extension of the Trail being one of the most important ways to do that. Once complete, multiple neighborhoods will have direct, easy, walkable, and bikeable access an untold number of miles of trail along the river.”
“We’re proud to join Macon-Bibb County and the Urban Development Authority in this vital public-private partnership to extend the Ocmulgee Heritage Trail,” said James Fritze, President & CEO of NewTown Macon. “This strategic land purchase helps fulfill the long-standing vision for the Trail and ensures more Maconites have access to the beauty and recreational opportunities along the Ocmulgee River. It’s a transformative step that brings our community closer to nature, to each other, and to a more connected future.”
More than 10 acres will be bought along the Ocmulgee River, providing the connection between the 160+ acre Amerson River Park and about 270 acres of greenspace to the north. The purchase is being made with funds from Macon-Bibb County, the Urban Development Authority, and Newtown Macon.
Ultimately, this 450 acres of greenspace will connect to the sections of the Ocmulgee Heritage Trail being developed to the south, running through both Riverside and Rose Hill Cemeteries, connecting to the Historic Pleasant Hill Neighborhood, running along the east side of the Ocmulgee River, connecting to the future Renaissance on the River and East Bank developments, extending into Downtown and the Mill Hill East Macon Arts Village, and finishing in the Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park.