Metro Atlanta’s newest city played host to a ground-breaking for metro Atlanta’s newest park project this week. The City of Mableton sits along the Chattahoochee River on the western edge of Atlanta and broke ground on the next segment of the Chattahoochee Riverlands project. The project is aimed at incorporating the natural assets of the Chattahoochee River into the lives of metro Atlantans and increasing access to the river.
The ground-breaking at the Riverline Discovery Park was attended by a number of elected officials there to show support for a generational project that will take decades to fully achieve, but piece by piece will make a big difference in communities across the region. The Mableton piece is a 2.5-mile trail connecting other trails along Mableton Parkway and Nickajack Creek.
“Ultimately, this is about families across the metro region who can take advantage of this extraordinary natural resource,” said Senator Jon Ossoff.
The project has four main goals:
- A safe, connective corridor;
- A common ground for all: Implementation of the project will be accessible for all ages and abilities – including wheelchair accessibility;
- An ecological refuge for the region: The Riverlands project will help to improve the ecological health of the Chattahooche River basin; and,
- A living legacy for future generations: The project will take decades to complete but will help establish the Chattahoochee River as a core part of the metro Atlanta region.
“This project is a truly equitable transformation for this part of the metro region,” said Cobb County Commission Chairwoman Lisa Cupid.
The 2.5 miles of Phase 1 will be paved and unpaved trails between Mableton Parkway and Veterans Memorial Highway. Phase 2 will include bridges on Nickajack Creek. The Riverlands project is a partnership between Cobb County, Atlanta Regional Commission, the Trust for Public Lands and the city of Atlanta. This section is designed as a pilot of sorts, the Chattahoochee River Trail Pedestrian Improvements project, a first part of the project aimed at demonstrating the goals and strategies of the final project.
“Quality of life was one of my top priorities when I ran for office,” said Commissioner Monique Sheffield, who touted the project as a boon to both residential and business developments in the area. “This project will improve our quality of life by providing access to one of Georgia’s greatest natural resources.”
In order for the project to be both accessible and restore the health of the river, the trails system will bypass sensitive habitats and avoid negatively impacting ecosystems through the corridor. Existing ecosystems will be protected or restored along trails, with access points minimizing footprints and also enhancing habitat.
