Sandy Springs will apply for a Georgia Department of Natural Resources grant to pay half of the estimated $13.9 million to construct a trail along the Chattahoochee River starting at Morgan Falls Overlook Park.
The Sandy Springs City Council during its Feb. 18 meeting authorized the application for an Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Program Grant to fund the design and construction of the 1.6-mile Springway Trail Segment 2C. The grant program provides new or significantly improved recreation opportunities in urban, disadvantaged communities lacking access to walkable outdoor recreation.
The city council named its trails the Springway Trail system in June 2023.
The trail would start at Morgan Falls Overlook Park and go north along the Chattahoochee River. As it turns east, the trail would run in buffer and setback areas belonging to several apartment complexes. It would also be near Grogan’s Bluff, a 126-acre protected neighborhood. The trail would connect to Adair Lane and continue to Grogan’s Ferry Road, following it to Roswell Road.
Trail segment 2C connects to the first section of this trail system, segment 2E Construction is nearly complete for that initial trail segment, which starts at the park and runs south past the Morgan Falls Dam and the city’s dog park before turning east and crossing Orkin Lake before connecting to Roswell Road.
“Conceptual design is underway through our partnership with the PATH Foundation. And we are working with the Sandy Springs Conservancy to connect with the property owners along this future segment,” Sandy Springs Assistant City Manager Kristin Byars Smith said.
The city has approximately $3 million available within its city trail design capital project to fund part of the city’s match. Smith said the Sandy Springs Conservancy has committed $25,000 to support the grant application.
Council member Melody Kelley said Grogan’s Bluff residents want to provide input on the trail.
“This will be our first piece of trail that is adjacent to a protected neighborhood, so that’s it may require us to approach engagement a little differently,” Kelley said.
Smith said property owners within the trail route have been contacted. The rest of the community will have a chance to submit input.
Smith said he initial application is due by Feb. 28, but it will be a long process. The final application will be due in September 2026.
Council member Andy Bauman followed up on council member Jody Reichel’s questions about funding and timelines for trail construction regarding funding plans and how long it would take to build each trail segment.
He noted that there are also plans to make improvements at Hammond Park, Morgan Falls Overlook Park, and the park on Lake Forrest, so the city may need a conversation on a trail and park bond in order to get the work done in their children’s and grandchildren’s lifetimes.