Great news! We’ve received a $70,000 Legacy Grant from Park Pride to fund the expansion of a network of natural surface multi-use trails, including a bridge spanning Poole Creek and its surrounding wetlands.
Park Pride and members of the local mountain bike community recognize that professionally-designed natural surface trails promote public health and well-being through activities such as bicycling, hiking and running. At 211 acres, Southside is the third-largest park in the City of Atlanta and also one of the least-familiar parks to its residents.
Brett Davidson, President, SORBA Atlanta: “This project builds upon the 1.25-mile Evergreen Trail we completed in 2016 and is another step forward in our plans for a trail network at Southside Park totalling almost 7 miles.”
“We’re so excited to be able to support the expansion of this project with a Park Pride Legacy Grant, supported by the Robert W. Woodruff Foundation,” said Allison Barnett, Park Pride’s Associate Director. “Our hope is that these new trails will help transform Southside Park into a destination park for the City’s broader constituents, particularly those on Atlanta’s south side.”
Joyce Sheperd, Atlanta City Council Member for the District says, “The South River Garden communities surrounding Southside Park lacked adequate access to public places for healthy recreational activities. The community was very excited on the opening of the mountain bike trail last fall in Southside Park. We welcome and appreciate the expansion of the trail through the $70,000 Grant received from Park Pride.”
The announcement of the grant coincided with the kick-off of SORBA Atlanta’s first capital campaign, designed to raise an additional $21,000 for this project. Recreational Equipment, Inc. (REI) has pledged $8,000, and Atlanta Cycling has offered to match all individual donations up to the first $3,000 raised through SORBA Atlanta’s web site, http://mtbatlanta.com//southside-park-donations/
About Park Pride:
Founded in 1989, Park Pride is the Atlanta-based nonprofit that engages communities to activate the power of parks. Working with over 100 local Friends of the Park groups, Park Pride provides leadership and services to help communities realize their dreams for neighborhood parks that support healthy people, strong neighborhoods, vibrant business districts, a robust economy and a healthy environment. Park Pride is active in greenspace advocacy and educating both civic leaders and the general public about the benefits of parks, and annually hosts the Parks and Greenspace Conference. Learn more about Park Pride at http://parkpride.org.
About SORBA Atlanta:
The Southern Off-Road Bicycle Association (SORBA) is the largest nonprofit mountain biking organization in the Southeast. Volunteers with the Atlanta Chapter work with land managers throughout the Metro area to create and maintain sustainable trail systems for mountain bikers and others to enjoy.
Photo Credit: Aaron Chamberlain, https://www.singletracks.com
