Press release [Aug. 8, 2003B]

8-1825-4979

Georgia House of Representatives Public Information Office
Room 131, State Capitol 30334 404-656-5082 1-800-282-5800

For Immediate Release

August 8, 2003

Representative Jones Proposes Greenway Trail

Atlanta State Representative Jan Jones (R-Alpharetta) announced today she is forming a task force to create a 60-mile long greenway trail along the Northern Arc highway route. The plan will include greenspace on either side of a multi-use greenway trail extending through four north metro counties, including Bartow, Cherokee, Forsyth and Gwinnett.

"Let's seize this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to bring about something that will benefit our children and our children's children. The state has never before created a metropolitan Atlanta state park, a 20-county area in which 50 percent of the state's population lives. Georgia has never before initiated an extended greenway trail. It's about time we do," the legislator said.

Representative Jones is assembling a task force to wade through the legal, financial and local issues. The task force will work with locally-elected officials, residents, private foundations, state agencies, state legislators, congressmen and Governor Perdue's office.

She said the proposed greenway trail will be designed to complement local plans for the Northern Arc corridor in each of the four counties.

"The Governor has made clear that the Northern Arc highway will not be built. The counties and residents in its path need closure - and a new beginning. We owe it to them to create a positive outcome. This project would offer residents and the business community enhanced property values and an increased quality of life, " she said.

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The state representative suggested the linear state park could serve as a springboard for additional local greenways connecting up north Georgia and elsewhere. She will work with Alpharetta and Roswell to extend their existing greenway system into Forsyth and unincorporated Fulton Counties and, ultimately, to the proposed Northern Arc greenway trail.
"Growth and change in this corridor will continue. Let's create something splendid to complement it," she said.
"Just imagine being able to bicycle from Dacula to Cumming and beyond. The proposed greenway trail would give these counties an amenity that exists no where else in Georgia. People yearn for places of character in which to settle down. The greenway trail would further define this corridor as a high-quality, appealing area to work and raise families," the legislator ended.
Jones represents portions of Forsyth and Fulton Counties. ***
For further information please contact Rep. Jones at 404-656-0137 or at 770-346-9667.