A PRETTY BIG deal occurred in Polk County the other day, one that was 10 years in coming and that Floyd County still hasn’t taken advantage of.
The final mile of concrete in the Silver Comet Trail was put down.
That trail links up with the Chief Ladiga Trail at the Alabama border — the whole thing mostly built along the abandoned railroad right-of-way on which the Silver Comet once hauled passengers.
This thus becomes the longest paved trail in the United States at 95.5 miles — sort of an Appalachian Trail for bikers (and inline skaters). Some 61.5 miles of this are in Georgia, starting just west of I-285 in Cobb County, and were built by the PATH Foundation and its government partners at an estimated cost of $400,000 a mile, or about $25 million of which more than $8 million came from private contributors.
It’s intended to be more of an “escape” from urban/suburban hustle and bustle than some marathon endurance test. Totally free of vehicular traffic, largely involving a seeming immersion in nature with some great scenery, the Silver Comet Trail has also become something of an “economic engine” along both sides of its route. Those who have driven past its several highway crossings may have noted how new subdivisions have seemed to pop up near it.
IT’S APPARENTLY a unique lifestyle enhancement that many want to take advantage of. One assumes it also created a lot of rich former rural property owners who were quite happy to sell their land for a nifty profit that was caused by, of all things, not a new highway but a new walking trail.
Whether area residents hop on it to jog a few miles, or pedal 20 miles for the exercise and a nice lunch as some distant bistro, the trail visibly displays a high level of usage. Moreover, merchants along its entry/exit points in several communities also report it is a sort of boost to tourism and trade as well.
Despite one highly publicized crime along it (an inherent risk of anything in an urban location, it appears), the trail is generally viewed as quite safe and well patrolled. And, pretty much universally, it is viewed as a major “plus” by those living near it.
All of which seems to serve as a reminder that nothing of equal scope is occurring in Greater Rome. Oh, to be sure this area’s trail system is constantly expanding and most visible around the downtown, though also growing elsewhere. Still on a master plan somewhere is a similar “rails to trails” route involving the old Southern Railroad bed from Rome to Cave Spring which, when last heard of, was running into the rather typical “not in my backyard” objections from rural property owners who seem to fear that all seeking a brief escape from city life must be carrying an infectious disease.
YET, SOME years back, the director of the Rome-Floyd County Parks and Recreation Department mused about Floyd County developing a “side trail” that would link up with the Silver Comet. Indeed, there were reportedly some exploratory talks going on between Floyd County and the state regarding such a possible hookup.
That’s still not a bad idea, despite it being something of a “wish list” item rather than an urgent need. It is a concept that needs to be kept alive, however. Given that such a “side route” into Floyd County would in turn likely tie into the growing separate network of trails existing and developing locally, that sure would expand the horizons for those who want to “get away for it all,” particularly for a weekend, as they travel in either direction.
Indeed, all investments in developing a varied system of trails lacing this county are worth considering. Eventually, as population growth and metropolitan spillover fills more of the landscape, all “green spaces” and ability to momentarily flee from the anthill will gain in value. The time to reserve land, at least, and start spear points of expanding trails is now.
Equally important is to recognize that a smorgasbord of trails is needed. Some can serve multiple purposes, others need a separation of “interests.” Horses and bicyclists are not necessarily compatible, nor are wheelchair users (who need such places, too) and roller bladers. Nor, for that matter, should the “off road” folks be forgotten in this. A lot of far northern states, for example, have long had designated “snowmobile routes” traversing them.
THE COMPLETION of the Silver Comet Trail offers a lesson regarding such “crazy notions” as, early on, that’s exactly what this now-finished trail was seen as being. There’s no such thing as an impossible plan if it involves something that people actually want ... and use.
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