A new stretch of the Ocmulgee Heritage Trail is officially open, giving people even more opportunities to walk, bike, and explore one of Macon-Bibb County’s most popular outdoor spaces.

On Thursday, August 27, NewTown Macon and Macon-Bibb County leaders, partners, and community members gathered at Amerson River Park to celebrate the completion of the newest extension of the trail.

The project added a newly paved parking lot at the Jay Hall North River Access and 1,500 feet of trail connecting to the new James Hyde Porter Overlook. Following the ribbon cutting, attendees walked the new section of trail and gathered at the overlook for an official unveiling.

“It’s a great day in Macon-Bibb County when we can celebrate the expansion of the Ocmulgee Heritage Trail, which is connecting more and more parts of our community to one of our park system’s jewels, Amerson River Park,” said Mayor Lester Miller. “The Trail is giving people a more pedestrian and bike-friendly access to this amazing third space, and I applaud the many people and groups working to increase its length.”

The milestone is the latest chapter in a vision that began nearly 30 years ago. NewTown Macon and Bibb County leaders first envisioned the Ocmulgee Heritage Trail in 1996 as a multi-use river trail system that would connect Macon’s parks, neighborhoods, and downtown.

Since then, the trail has grown one section at a time, largely through public-private partnerships and fundraising. Today, it stretches more than 13 miles, connecting people to recreation, nature, neighborhoods, and destinations throughout Macon-Bibb County.

“This trail system has always been a primary mission for NewTown Macon, because our initiative is to give people a way to explore everything from Amerson River Park to Rose Hill and on into downtown, with future plans to connect across the river into East Macon,” said NewTown Macon President/CEO James Fritze. “We’re excited to keep this momentum going, and we want to thank the many donors, partners, and members of the public who have continued to support the trail.”

The newest extension also gives visitors access to the James Hyde Porter Overlook, adding another destination along the trail where people can experience the natural beauty surrounding the Ocmulgee River.

The project continues the decades-long effort to expand the trail and create more opportunities for people to safely walk, run, bike, and experience Macon-Bibb County from a different perspective.

Thursday’s celebration also recognized the donors, organizations, and community partners whose support helped make the latest expansion possible.