Fulton County honored the Sandy Springs Recreation and Parks Department for its contributions and improvements during the annual Fulton County Citizens Commission on the Environment awards ceremony on Oct. 21.
Fulton County District 2 Commissioner Bob Ellis, whose district includes a chunk of Sandy Springs and Morgan Falls Overlook Park, selected the completed segment of the Springway Trail for its overall design and connection with existing trails in neighboring communities.
Sandy Springs Mayor Rusty Paul said the city’s vision is to improve connectivity and expand access to recreation.
“We are extremely proud to see the Morgan Falls Connector on The Springway recognized,” Paul said. “We’re beginning to see that vision become a reality, and I look forward to more segments throughout our city.”
County environmental award
The FCCCE is a citizen environmental advisory group appointed by the board of commissioners to investigate environmental concerns, recommend environmental policies, and increase public awareness and involvement in environmental issues. The annual awards recognize those who provide superlative environmental stewardship, assistance, or education in Fulton County.
The awards ceremony was in the Fulton County Government Center on Pryor Street in downtown Atlanta, with a proclamation read during the board of commissioners meeting.
The existing 1.88-mile section of the Springway is called the Morgan Falls Connector, which opened in May 2025. The 8–12-inch-wide, multi-use, and paved trail provides access to the Chattahoochee River, connecting Roswell Road to Morgan Falls Overlook Park at Cimarron Parkway.
The first step in bringing the city’s trail master plan, or Springway, to life was the Morgan Falls Connector. The project included retaining walls, a boardwalk across Orkin Lake, drainage structures, pedestrian bridges, roadway realignments, landscaping, and trail signage.
Sandy Springs built the trail with partners, including the Georgia Department of Natural Resources and its Outdoor Stewardship Program, the PATH Foundation, and the Sandy Springs Conservancy.
The next segment of the Springway, Segment 2C, from Morgan Falls Overlook Park to Grogans Ferry Road, is currently in design. City officials and impacted neighbors are split on the paved path’s design, terminus, and community impact.
