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GREENWAY AND TRAIL MASTER PLAN GREENWAY AND TRAIL MASTER PLAN MAY 17, 2021 Prepared for: The Development Authority of Dawson County Prepared by: Thomas & Hutton Funded by: Georgia’s Rural Center DAWSON COUNTY DAWSON COUNTY ---PAGE BREAK--- This page is intentionally left blank ---PAGE BREAK--- Dawson County Greenway and Trail Master Plan May 17, 2021 Prepared For: Prepared By: Funded By: ---PAGE BREAK--- TABLE OF EXECUTIVE 1 1.1 1.2 PLANNING 4 2.1 PLANNING 2.2 STAKEHOLDER 2.3 DATA 2.4 MASTER PLAN 2.5 POINTS OF GREENWAY AND TRAIL MASTER 9 3.1 MASTER PLAN 3.2 TRAIL SEGMENT 1 DAWSON SEGMENT 2 ETOWAH RIVER SEGMENT 3 GA SEGMENT 4 THOMPSON CREEK 23 SEGMENT 5 HIGHWAY 26 IMPLEMENTATION 4.1 30 4.2 ROUTE/SEGMENT 4.3 NEXT STEPS AND i T A B L E O F C O N T E N T S TABLE OF CONTENTS T C ---PAGE BREAK--- ii Unlike many communities, Dawson County is planning for trails and greenways ahead of/during booming development and growth, not after the majority of the land is developed. There are easily identified places where trails need to connect and now is the time to start the process of connecting the dots with planned routes. Existing topography and proximity to water adds challenges to the process, but they also create interest and beauty in the system. Many of the greenways proposed in this plan rely on the acquisition of right-of-ways and easements through privately owned lands. The routes shown in the proposed master plan utilize existing and planned utility easements and/or roadway right-of-ways to the greatest extent practical. For portions shown through undeveloped properties, the route should be refined with detailed design to accommodate future development plans for the property. This plan identifies approximately 19.6 miles of trails in southern Dawson County, connecting schools, parks, Lake Lanier, Dawson Forest, neighborhoods, employment areas and the Highway 400 retail and service destinations. Future expansion of the trail system should include connections to Russell Creek Reservoir, Downtown Dawsonville, Amicalola Falls State Park and other greenspaces and protected areas. To be successful, the 19.6 miles of new trails will require significant time and monetary investment. But upon doing so, the County will reap benefits that will be enjoyed for generations to come. These projects should not be looked at as simply addressing a recreational need. Instead, the well connected trail system will address transportation infrastructure, economic growth investment and many other community needs. E X E C U T I V E S U M M A R Y EXECUTIVE SUMMARY E S ---PAGE BREAK--- 1 C H A P T E R O N E INTRODUCTION 01 ---PAGE BREAK--- 1.1 BACKGROUND Greenspace and Trails Map from 2020 Economic Development Plan 1 INTRODUCTION Etowah River at Etowah River Water Trail at River Park - Hwy. 9 2 In early 2020, the Development Authority of Dawson County initiated a study for the development of a comprehensive economic development plan. The plan identified five specific vision/goals for the County, which were: - Build a Resilient Community - Focus Development Efforts - Generate Opportunity for Business - Support Community Residents - Protect and Conserve Natural and Cultural Resources The plan further identified the need for specific planning and long term funding for the development of greenspaces and greenways. These two community assets would connect areas of existing and planned growth to the large amount of open spaces and natural resources that are within the County. The trail and greenway system would increase “Opportunities for coordination and collaboration between the tourism and retail sectors” with a “Focus on Outdoor Experiences partnering with retailers” to facilitate recruitment of outdoor retailers/manufacturers and allow opportunities for entrepreneurship in nature, cultural and retail tourism. ---PAGE BREAK--- Dawson County Greenspace and Protected Areas Map 3 There is an abundance of existing public lands within northern and western Dawson County. From Amicalola Falls State Park in the north down through the Dawson Forest Wildlife Management Area, opportunities to explore and recreate are readily available for residents and visitors in Dawson County. Connecting these places with the economic activity of the Highway 400 corridor is the driving vision behind this planning effort. 400 9 136 53 53 9 136 DAWSON FOREST WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA (LOCAL GOVERMENT) AMICALOLA FALLS STATE PARK LAKE SIDNEY LANIER RECREATION AREA DAWSON FOREST WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA (STATE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES) DAWSON FOREST WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA (STATE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES) DAWSON COUNTY PARK ROCK CREEK SPORTS COMPLEX ETOWAH RIVER MITIGATION BANK DAWSON COUNTY TRAILS MASTERPLAN ---PAGE BREAK--- OBJECTIVE A OBJECTIVE B OBJECTIVE C 1.2 OBJECTIVES 4 Dawson County is blessed with an abundance of natural resources and open spaces while also having a commercial/retail economic sector that is dramatically higher than is typical for counties of similar demographics and populations within Georgia. Given these factors and its geographic location within the State, there has been a “boom” in residential and mixed use development pressures. With growth comes the need for expansion of infrastructure and public recreation opportunities. Trails and greenways fall into both categories. The Dawson County Greenway and Trails Master Plan is intended to be a tool for planning and implementation principles to guide short and long term policies, practices, and budget decisions within the County in order to facilitate the creation of a network of trails connecting key points of interest within Dawson County that will “Protect and Connect” the County. LEVERAGE THE EXISTING ENERGY THAT IS CREATED BY THE RETAIL/ COMMERCIAL GROWTH ON HIGHWAY 400. CREATE A TRAIL SYSTEM THAT CONNECTS EXISTING AND BOOMING NEW RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT WITH THE EXISTING AND PLANNED PARKS, GREENSPACES AND SCHOOLS. CONNECT LAKE LANIER, ETOWAH RIVER, AND THE DAWSON FOREST WILD LIFE MANAGEMENT AREA (WMA) WITH A LONG TERM VISION TO FURTHER CONNECT TO OTHER PUBLIC OPEN SPACES IN THE COUNTY. ---PAGE BREAK--- 5 C H A P T E R T W O PLANNING CONSIDERATIONS 0 2 ---PAGE BREAK--- 2 PLANNING PROCESS 2.1 PLANNING PROCESS 2.2 STAKEHOLDER PARTNERS 2.3 DATA COLLECTION As discussed earlier, this master plan has been in the works on a local level prior to the commissioning of this plan. The efforts of these stakeholders made the initiation of the study a quick start because the typical time consuming process of determining critical points of interest and areas of planned growth were already identified and mapped. The remainder of this section is a brief summary of the planning process from the initial kick off meeting in November of 2020 to final plan adoption in May of 2021. Thomas and Hutton prepared mapping and performed data collection while reviewing other available information provided by the stakeholders. This information was then organized into an analysis study and was reviewed with the stakeholder partners. The process involved on-site inventory and analysis by use of traditional hand notes, GIS data, aerial photography, planning grade topographic information and other readily available information. As appropriate for this high level master planning effort; no field surveys for boundaries, topography wetlands, streams, cultural resources, threaten and endangered species studies, etc. have been performed. Such studies will be performed during future phased implementation of the plan. Initial in the approach to the development of the master plan was to establish a group of community stakeholder partners that could provide insight and feedback throughout the process. This group met multiple times throughout the duration of planning and provided invaluable insight on community and needs. A special thanks to the members of the stakeholder committee. Jameson Kinley, Dawson County Planning Director Dustin Heard, Dawson County Chamber of Commerce Tourism Director Tony Passarello, Chairman, Development Authority of Dawson County Janet Cochran, Project Manager, Georgia’s Rural Center Robbie Irvin, Planner, Dawson County Planning & Development Mandy Power, Chairman, Dawson County Chamber of Commerce Brooke Anderson, General Manager, Etowah Water & Sewer Authority Eric Graves, Executive Director, Len Foote Hike Inn Betsy McGriff, Director of Economic Development, Dawson County Chamber of Commerce 6 Dawson Forest Trailhead ---PAGE BREAK--- TOTAL DISTANCE: 6.29 MILES ELEVATION GAIN/LOSS: 808 FT., -693 FT MAX SLOPE: 14.4 -15.5% AVERAGE SLOPE: 2.9%, -2.7% 1174 FT 1159 FT 1125 FT 1100 FT 1075 FT 1050 FT 1031 FT 0.5 MI 1 MI 1.5 MI 2 MI 2.5 MI 3 MI 3.5 MI 4 MI 4.5 MI 5 MI 5.5 MI 6 MI 6.29 MI MINIMUM ELEVATION I 1031 FT AVERAGE ELEVATION I 1074 FT MAX ELEVATION I 1174 FT 2.4 MASTER PLAN DEVELOPMENT Upon developing the base information that was used for study and plan creation, the team of stakeholder partners met to review and define the critical components of the master plan to start identifying them on the maps. Opportunities and constraints were discussed and the project program was defined. A major constraint that was identified was the lack of off-road cycling opportunities that exist in the County. The chart below represents industry accepted percentages of the feelings of the population towards cycling and is based on a paper released by ¹Roger Geller, the Bicycle Coordinator for Portland, Oregon in 2006 and additional research by Jennifer Dill and Nathan McNeil in the 2010s. Put simply, a majority of our population is interested in cycling, but very concerned to do so without safe and well designed opportunities to do so. Specific desired minimum trail connections were identified as: - Connecting GA–400 commercial corridor to Dawson Forest (City of Atlanta Tract) and Rock Creek Park. - Connecting existing and new/planned residential development areas to GA-400, Dawson Forest (City of Atlanta Tract) and Rock Creek Park. - Connecting Rock Creek Park along a route that follows the Etowah River to Russel Creek Reservoir Natural constraints and the challenges they pose were also discussed. Specifically the challenge that topography will present during the implementation of some of the trail routes. For this reason, a line graphic is provided for each of the trail segments to show approximate change in existing elevation along the proposed routes. The total distance, elevation gain/loss, max slopes and average slopes are also provided for each. See example below. Four types of cyclist Geller Estimate(2006) Dill/Mcneil (2015) Strong and Fearless 7% Enthused and Confident 7% 5% Interested but Concerned 60% 51% No Way, No How 33% 37% 1“Types of Cyclists.” Jennifer Dill, Ph.D., 6 July 2020, jenniferdill.net/types-of-cyclists/. 7 Example Trail Segment Summary ---PAGE BREAK--- 2.5 POINTS OF INTEREST 8 LUMPKIN COUNTY DAWSON COUNTY BLACK’S MILL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DAWSON COUNTY MIDDLE SCHOOL RIVER VIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL KILOUGH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL E T O W A H R I V E R 400 9 136 53 DAWSON FOREST RD E OUND RD DOWNTOWN DAWSONVILLE NORTH GEORGIA PREMIUM OUTLETS RUSSELL CREEK RESERVOIR RUS SELL CREE K LAKE LANIER DAWSON FOREST RIVER PARK LAUNCH ROCK CREEK PARK THOMPSON CREEK PARK 1 2 3 4 5 LEGEND PROTECTED AREAS PARKS & RECREATION MAJOR BODIES OF WATER DOWNTOWN DAWSONVILLE NORTH GEORGIA PREMIUM OUTLETS DAWSON COUNTY SCHOOLS Overview As discussed previously, Dawson County has many unique points of interest within its borders. From publicly controlled forests and Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) in the north and west, to Lake Lanier in the east, and the retail/commerce in the central and southern portions, options for things to do and places to go are bountiful in the County. Unfortunately, in order to travel between them currently one must have access to a vehicle. Upon implementation of this master plan this will no longer be the case. There will now be bicycle and pedestrian connections between the majority. 6 NORTH GEORGIA PREMIUM OUTLETS DAWSON FOREST The Dawson Forest, City of Atlanta Tract, is a 10,000 acre property that contains existing trails, hunting, fishing and picnic sites. This property makes up the southern portion of the 25,500 acre Dawson Forest Wildlife Management Area (WMA) which is managed by GA DNR. Based on the 2020 economic development plan data, the North Georgia Premium has an “estimated 3.2 million annual visits, most coming from less than 50 miles.” 2 1 ---PAGE BREAK--- 9 THOMPSON CREEK PARK & BOAT LANDING AT LAKE LANIER ETOWAH RIVER ROCK CREEK PARK RUSSEL CREEK RESERVOIR Thompson Creek Park is an existing facility that is on the northwest side of Lake Sidney Lanier which is operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The park includes parking, restrooms, picnicking and boat ramps. Lake Lanier is visited by approximately 11.8 million people each year. The Etowah River is a 163 mile waterway of which approximately 24 miles runs within Dawson County. The river has an established water trail system known as the Etowah River Water Trail. The water trail system is broken up into 16 segments running from east to west. Dawson County is included in all or portions of four segments. These are Tunneling for Gold, Big Savannah, Dawson Forest and Eagles Beak. Rock Creek Park Sports Complex is a Dawson County operated facility that is home to the Parks and Recreation Administrative Complex. The facilities provided at the park include baseball/softball/t-ball fields, soccer fields, tennis courts, gymnasiums, indoor meeting rooms, a paved walking trail, outdoor basketball courts, outdoor covered pavilions and the Rotary Island Splash Pad. The Russell Creek Reservoir will be a 137 acre drinking water supply reservoir operated by the Etowah Water & Sewer Authority. The current plans for the facility are to include boating and fishing opportunities. 3 4 5 6 ---PAGE BREAK--- 10 C H A P T E R T H R E E GREENWAY AND TRAIL MASTER 0 3 ---PAGE BREAK--- SYTH COUNTY NTY N COUNTY E T O W A H R I V E R FUTU RE CO NNEC TION TO DO WNTO WN D AW SON VI L L E 400 9 136 53 DAWSON FOREST RD E LUMPKIN CAMPGROUND RD 5 4 1 3 DAWSON COUNTY GREENWAY AND TRAILS MASTER PLAN 3.1 MASTER PLAN OVERVIEW 11 Cost Estimates on a per mile basis are provide within each sub-segment. It should be acknowledged that these estimates are very preliminary and are provided simply as a basis to start future budgeting exercises. More detailed cost estimation will be done upon initiation of any detailed design or construction budgeting. From the planning considerations in Chapter 2, the planning partners have identified approximately 20 miles of multi-use trail routes, which upon construction, will link key points interest within Southern Dawson County. This trail system will connect existing regional shopping destinations, existing and planned residential neighborhoods to schools, parks, lakes, rivers, forests and other “wild” areas in the County. The overall plan is broken in six trail segments that connect to the different points of interest within the County discussed in the previous chapter. The remaining pages within this Chapter provide a general description of the typical trail types proposed as well as a break down of the trail segments into further study segments based on the specific type of trail within that sub-segment. Dawson County Trail Segments: 1 I Dawson Forest Trail 2 I Etowah River Trail 3 I GA 400 4 I Thompson Creek Park Trail 5 I Highway 53 6 I Future Connection to Russel Creek Reservoir and the City of Dawsonville (Route to be determined.) LEGEND THOMPSON CREEK PARK TRAIL DAWSON FOREST TRAIL ETOWAH RIVER TRAIL HIGHWAY 53 GA 400 FUTURE CONNECTION TO RESERVOIR 2 3 6 DOWNTOWN DAWSONVILLE LAKE LANIER DAWSONVILLE FOREST NORTH GEORGIA PREMIUM OUTLETS BRUCE LAKE FUTURE RUSSEL CREEK RESERVOIR RIVER PARK LAUNCH ROCK CREEK PARK WALKING TRAIL THOMPSON CREEK PARK ---PAGE BREAK--- SIDE PATH TYPICAL SECTION SIDE PATHS: 3.2 TRAIL TYPES BOARDWALK SECTION: 1Design, Alta Planning “Facility Types.” Home - Rural Design Guide, ruraldesignguide.com/. BOARDWALK TYPICAL SECTION 12 A boardwalk section is necessary in areas of wetlands, streams, floodplains and where typical earth grading practices may not be feasible. Simply put, it is a pathway constructed out of “boards”. Conventional construction often utilizes pressure treated lumber. However, due to the life cycle cost and ongoing maintenance associate with wood construction, many communities are now utilizing precast concrete boardwalk systems. For purposes of cost estimation, a precast concrete boardwalk system has been considered for all boardwalks and bridges. As defined by ¹Small Town and Rural Design Guide, a side path is “a bidirectional shared use path located immediately adjacent and parallel to a roadway. Side paths can offer a high-quality experience for users of all ages and abilities as compared to on-roadway facilities in heavy traffic environments, allow for reduced roadway crossing distances, and maintain rural and small town community character.” For the purposes of cost estimation, all side paths are assumed to have either and existing or constructed adjacent curb and to include necessary roadway drainage to accommodate such. The path material is assumed to be 6 inch thick concrete on a graded aggregate base. The buffer area between the path and adjacent vehicular travel ways should be as wide as practical in order to create physical distance and separation from the user and adjacent traffic. ---PAGE BREAK--- TRAIL ALONG RIVER FRONT TYPICAL SECTION RIVER TRAIL: OFF ROAD GREENWAY: OFF ROAD GREENWAY TYPICAL SECTION 1Design, Alta Planning “Facility Types.” Home - Rural Design Guide, ruraldesignguide.com/. 13 The River Trail type is a version of the greenway trail type with just a few additional considerations needed because of the sensitivity of the natural river system that is adjacent. Materials within the floodplain will need to be closely studied and may require higher interval of regular maintenance due to natural river flooding events. A higher ratio of boardwalk to on-grade trail will be needed when compared to a typical off road greenway trail. A minimum of one pedestrian bridge crossing will be needed. Water quality protections may require special permitting or buffers to the river. For the purposes of cost estimation, all on grade path material is assumed to be 6 inch thick concrete on a graded aggregate base and boardwalks and bridges as described above. Off road greenways are trails that are constructed exclusive of an adjacent roadway. They are also known as shared use paths, which, as defined by ¹Small Town and Rural Design Guide, are used to provide “a travel area separate from motorized traffic for bicyclists, pedestrians, skaters, wheelchair users, joggers, and other users. Shared use paths can provide a low-stress experience for a variety of users using the network for transportation or recreation.” To the greatest extent practical, the trail will be constructed by balancing the cut and fill that is needed. In areas of extremely steep grade, creek or wetland crossings; boardwalks, retaining walls and bridges will be needed. For the purposes of cost estimation, all on grade path material is assumed to be 6 inch thick concrete on a graded aggregate base and boardwalks and bridges as described above. 3:1 MAX 3: 1 M AX ---PAGE BREAK--- 400 9 136 53 TOTAL DISTANCE: 6.29 MILES ELEVATION GAIN/LOSS: 808 FT., -693 FT MAX SLOPE: 14.4 -15.5% AVERAGE SLOPE: 2.9%, -2.7% 1174 FT 1159 FT 1125 FT 1100 FT 1075 FT 1050 FT 1031 FT 0.5 MI 1 MI 1.5 MI 2 MI 2.5 MI 3 MI 3.5 MI 4 MI 4.5 MI 5 MI 5.5 MI 6 MI 6.29 MI MINIMUM ELEVATION I 1031 FT AVERAGE ELEVATION I 1074 FT MAX ELEVATION I 1174 FT SEGMENT 1 DAWSON FOREST Elevation: REFERENCE MAP 14 Overview: Connecting points of interest: North Georgia Premium Outlets, Etowah River, Dawson Forest, Rock Creek Park Begins/Ends: GA 400/Dawson Forest Distance: 6.4 miles Benefits: • Connects commercial hub to existing natural areas, river, and parks • Adjacent to existing and planned residential • Connects existing trail heads Challenges: • Requires drainage improvements on Dawson Forest Road • Right-of-way acquisition through upland areas 0.5 MI. LEGEND ROAD CROSSINGS BRIDGE CROSSINGS ROAD ON SHOULDER SEGMENT ETOWAH RIVER SOUTH SEGMENT THROUGH UPLAND SEGMENT ROCK CREEK PARK ACCESS SEGMENT DAWSON FOREST RD. DAWSON FOREST NORTH GEORGIA PREMIUM OUTLETS BRUCE LAKE RIVER PARK LAUNCH ROCK CREEK PARK NORTH GEORGIA PREMIUM OUTLETS HIGHWAY 9 & ETOWAH RIVER INTERSECTION ENTERANCE TO ROCK CREEK PARK ALONG BRUCE LAKE DOWNTOWN DAWSONVILLE ETOW AH RIVE R 9 ---PAGE BREAK--- DAWSON FOREST RD E LUMPKIN CAMPGROUND RD G W T A FFE R SEGMENT 1-A DAWSON FOREST ROAD TRAIL TYPE: SIDE PATH 15 Segment Overview Trail segment would be built within the Dawson Forest Road right-of-way from GA 400 west to the point of the existing sewer easements. This will require drainage improvements to allow for construction of a side path on the north side of the right-of- way. SUMMARY Distance: 0.7 MILES Cost Est.: $1.7 M Estimated cost for 12’ wide concrete trail with conversion of ditch to curb and gutter (no R/W acquisition cost included) 1-A ---PAGE BREAK--- SEGMENT 1-B THROUGH UPLAND TRAIL TYPE: OFF ROAD GREENWAY CUT SECTION, TYP. FILL SECTION, TYP. 16 Segment Overview Trail segment would follow the route of the existing sanitary sewer easement to the greatest extent practical. Key challenges to address during design will be grade changes, property acquisitions, and road crossings. SUMMARY Distance: 2.4 MILES Cost Est.: $7.3 M Estimated cost for 12’ wide concrete surface (no R/W acquisition cost included) BRUCE LAKE 1-B ---PAGE BREAK--- 9 SUMMARY Distance: 3.0 MILES Cost Est.: $13.1 M Estimated cost for 12’ wide concrete surface, bridge over Etowah River and boardwalks in portions of the river floodplain (no R/W acquisition cost included) TRAIL TYPE: OFF ROAD GREENWAY TRAIL TYPE: BOARDWALK SEGMENT 1-C ETOWAH RIVER SOUTH TRAIL CUT SECTION, TYP. 17 Segment Overview The trail/ segment would follow the route of sewer along the river to the extent practical. Key challenges to address will be a bridge connection over the river, boardwalks, property acquisitions, and road crossings. 1-C ---PAGE BREAK--- SEGMENT 1-D ROCK CREEK PARK ACCESS EXISTING TRAIL AT ROCK CREEK PARK TRAIL TYPE: OFF ROAD GREENWAY CUT SECTION, TYP. FILL SECTION, TYP. 18 Segment Overview Trail segment would connect the existing Rock Creek Park trails and other amenities to Etowah River. The use of boardwalks will be crucial in connecting Rock Creek Park due to the surrounding creeks and wetlands. SUMMARY Distance: 0.3 MILES Cost Est.: $1.0 M Estimated cost for 12’ wide concrete surface and boardwalks in portions (no R/W acquisition cost included) 1-D ROCK CREEK PARK ---PAGE BREAK--- 400 9 136 53 1318 FT 1250 FT 1200 FT 1150 FT 1100 FT 1044 FT 0.5 MI 1 MI 1.5 MI 2 MI 2.5 MI 3 MI 3.5 MI 4 MI 4.5 MI 5 MI 5.5 MI 6 MI 6.27 MI MINIMUM ELEVATION I 1044 FT AVERAGE ELEVATION I 1121 FT MAX ELEVATION I 1318 FT HWY 53 AT ETOWAH RIVER DAWSON FOREST TRAIL BEGINS HERE UPLAND TO GA 400 / “GODZILLA PARCELS” LEGEND ROAD CROSSINGS BRIDGE CROSSINGS ETOWAH RIVER NORTH SEGMENT THROUGH UPLAND SEGMENT DAWSONVILLE FOREST TRAIL POSSIBLE FUTURE CONNECTION TO RUSSELL CREEK RESERVOIR DOWNTOWN DAWSONVILLE 0.5 MI. 53 ETOWAH RIVER 400 LU MPKIN C AMPGRO UND RD SEGMENT 2 ETOWAH RIVER TRAIL Elevation: REFERENCE MAP 19 Overview: Connecting points of interest: Highway 53, future connection to Head Lake reservoir, GA 400 Begins/Ends: Etowah River/GA 400 Distance: 6.6 miles Benefits: • Continues trail along Etowah River to connect Hwy 53 and Hwy 9 • Connects areas of planned growth in the County Challenges: • Expense of bridges and boardwalks • Requires a large amount of property acquisition for a proper right-of-way ---PAGE BREAK--- ETOWAH RIVER SUMMARY Distance: 4.2 MILES Cost Est.: $17.1 M Estimated cost for 12’ wide concrete surface, bridge over Etowah River and boardwalks in portions of the river floodplain (no R/W acquisition cost included) Segment Overview The trail/ segment would follow the planned route of sewer along the river to the extent practical. Key challenges to address will be a bridge connection over the river, boardwalks, property acquisitions, and road crossings. TRAIL TYPE: OFF ROAD GREENWAY TRAIL TYPE: BOARDWALK SEGMENT 2-A ETOWAH RIVER NORTH TRAIL 20 2-A ---PAGE BREAK--- LU M P KIN CAM P GR O UN D RD 400 F UT U R E CO NNE C T I O N T O L A KE TRAIL TYPE: OFF ROAD GREENWAY CUT SECTION, TYP. FILL SECTION, TYP. SEGMENT 2-B UPLAND TRACT 21 Segment Overview Trail segment would follow the route of the future sanitary sewer easement and planned developments to the greatest extent practical. Key challenges to address during design will be grade changes, property acquisitions, and road crossings. SUMMARY Distance: 2.4 MILES Cost Est.: $6.3 M Estimated cost for 12’ wide concrete surface (no R/W acquisition cost included) 2-B ---PAGE BREAK--- 400 9 136 53 1253 FT 1200 FT 1175 FT 1140 FT 0.25 MI 0.5 MI 0.75 MI 1 MI 1.25 MI 1.5 MI 1.75 MI 2 MI 2.22 MI 1225 FT MINIMUM ELEVATION I 1140 FT AVERAGE ELEVATION I 1185 FT MAX ELEVATION I 1253 FT LUMPKIN CAMPGROUND RD & GA 400 HWY 53 & GA 400 NORTH GEORGIA PREMIUM OUTLETS WETLAND CROSSING DAWSON FOREST RD & GA 400 0.5 MI. DOWNTOWN DAWSONVILLE REFERENCE MAP LEGEND ROAD CROSSINGS BRIDGE CROSSINGS GA 400 TRAIL LAKE LANIER NORTH GEORGIA PREMIUM OUTLETS 53 400 LU MPKIN C AMPGRO UND RD SEGMENT 3 GA 400 Elevation: 22 Overview: Connecting points of interest: Commercial and business areas along GA 400 Begins/Ends: Lumpkin Campground Rd North/ Dawson Forest Rd. Distance: 2.2 miles Benefits: • Increased alternative transportation to businesses along 400 • Follows existing GA 400 right-of- way Challenges: • Existing open drainage • Many points of road/ driveway crossings • Crossing 400 (future pedestrian bridge) Trail section will provide connectivity along GA 400 from Lumpkin Campground Road to the north to Dawson Forest Rd to the south. Provides an opportunity for alternative to vehicular only transportation that currently exists. ---PAGE BREAK--- DAWSON FOREST RD E 53 400 LU M P KIN CAM P GR O UN D RD GA 400 T R A I L A L O N G H W Y 3 7 0 T H E B O S C H E R T G R E E N W A Y E X I S T I N G G A 4 0 0 SEGMENT 3-A GA 400 NORTH GEORGIA PREMIUM OUTLETS 23 BOSCHERT GREENWAY TRAIL (EXAMPLE STUDY) The Boschert Greenway Trail is 4.25 miles long and connects to the overall Missouri Greenway. Portions of the trail run along major Highway 370. Like GA 400, the topography dramatically changes along the roadside, therefore the path is benched into the hillside. This trail typology relates to the proposed side path along 400. Trail segment would be along one side of the GA 400 right of way. Key challenges to address will be road/ driveway crossings, crossing of GA 400, steep slopes of existing grade, and utility and drainage conflicts. SUMMARY Distance: 2.2 MILES Cost Est.: $6.6 M Estimated cost for 12’ wide concrete surface, crossing improvements (No R/W acquisition cost included) 3-A ---PAGE BREAK--- TOTAL DISTANCE: 1.54 MILES ELEVATION GAIN/LOSS: 187 FT., -126 FT MAX SLOPE: 26.7 -14.8% AVERAGE SLOPE: 3.1%, -3.3% MINIMUM ELEVATION I 1086 FT AVERAGE ELEVATION I 1129 FT MAX ELEVATION I 1160 FT 1160 FT 1150 FT 1125 FT 1100 FT 0.25 MI 0.50 MI 0.75 MI 1 MI 1.25 MI 1.54 MI 1086 FT THOMPSON CREEK PARK HIGHWAY 53 & DAWSON FOREST RD WETLAND CROSSING GA 400 & DAWSON FOREST RD WETLAND CROSSING 400 9 136 53 REFERENCE MAP 53 SEGMENT 4 THOMPSON CREEK Elevation: NORTH GEORGIA PREMIUM OUTLETS 24 Overview: Connecting points of interest: Thompson Creek Park to Commercial/Business areas and the network of trials. Begins/Ends: Thompson Creek Park/GA 400 Distance: 1.5 miles Benefits: • Utilize existing park as trail-head access • Directly accessible by the growth occurring in the area Challenges: • Lack of right-of-way width from Highway 53 to Thompson Creek Park • Intersection crossing at Highway 53 and Dawson Forest Rd. (Planned roundabout) Trail segment will provide connecting from GA 400 to the existing park and boat landing at Thompson Creek Park to become a trail-head. 0.5 MI. LEGEND NEIGHBORHOOD CROSSING RESIDENTIAL DRIVEWAY CROSSINGS THOMPSON CREEK TRAIL DAWSON FOREST RD. DOWNTOWN DAWSONVILLE THOM PSON CREEK P A RK RO AD LAKE LANIER PROPOSED TRAILHEAD ---PAGE BREAK--- DAWSON FOREST RD E TH O M P S O N C RE EK PA RK R D. LAKE LANIER TRAIL TYPE: SIDE PATH Existing right-of-way along Dawson Forest Rd. Adjacent to North Georgia Premium Outlets THOMPSON CREEK PARK SEGMENT 4-A THOMPSON CREEK PARK WEST NORTH GEORGIA PREMIUM OUTLETS 25 Trail segment would follow along one side of Dawson Forest Rd. from GA 400 to the east side of Highway 53. SUMMARY Distance: 0.9 MILES Cost Est.: $2.2 M Estimated cost for 12’ wide concrete trail with conversion of ditch to curb and gutter (no R/W acquisition cost included) 4-A ---PAGE BREAK--- T H O M P S O N C R E E K P A R K DAWSON FOREST RD E TH O M P S O N C RE EK PA RK R D. LAKE LANIER THOMPSON CREEK PARK SEGMENT 4-B THOMPSON CREEK PARK EAST TRAIL TYPE: SHARED USE LANE WITH ADJACENT SIDEWALK Existing Thompson Creek Park Rd. Shared Use Lanes in Sisters, OR 26 Thompson Creek Road may lack the vehicular traffic volume to justify the cost of a separate 12’ paved side path scenario. Due to the low volume street, new striping would allow bikers and vehicles to share the existing road and a smaller pedestrian only sidewalk could be built on one side. SUMMARY Distance: 0.6 MILES Cost Est.: $1.1 M Estimated cost for share lane striping and a 6’ wide concrete sidewalk (no R/W acquisition cost included) 4-B ---PAGE BREAK--- 1200 FT 1150 FT 1125 FT 1100 FT 1170 FT 0.25 MI 0.5 MI 0.75 MI 1.0 MI 1.5 MI 1.75 MI 1175 FT 1.25 MI 2.0 MI 2.25 MI 2.50 MI 2.89 MI 1253 FT 1225 FT 2.75 MI MINIMUM ELEVATION I 1070 FT AVERAGE ELEVATION I 1193 FT MAX ELEVATION I 1153 FT HIGHWAY 53 & DAWSON FOREST RD LUMPKIN CAMPGROUND RD & HWY 53 GA 400 & HWY 53 ETOWAH RIVER 400 9 136 53 REFERENCE MAP LU MPKIN C AMPGRO UND RD SEGMENT 5 HIGHWAY 53 Elevation: 27 Overview: Connecting points of interest: Thompson Creek Park/GA 400/ Etowah River Begins/Ends: Etowah River/ Dawson Forest Road Distance: 2.9 miles Benefits: • Provides an alternate transportation option to new/ existing developments between Lumpkin Campground Rd. and Dawson Forest Road • Loop connection to the north end of Etowah River Trail Challenges: • Existing driveways and utilities along southern portion • Lack of right-of-way width available for northern section • Grade changes along route Trail segment will provide a connecting/alternate route option from Thompson Creek Park/trail-head to Etowah River. LEGEND ROAD CROSSINGS HIGHWAY 53 NORTH HIGHWAY 53 SOUTH 0.5 MI. DOWNTOWN DAWSONVILLE DAWSONVILLE FOREST NORTH GEORGIA PREMIUM OUTLETS 53 400 ---PAGE BREAK--- L U M PKIN CAM P G R O UND R D. 53 SEGMENT 5-A HIGHWAY 53 NORTH TRAIL TYPE: SIDE PATH EXISTING HIGHWAY 53 NORTH 28 This trail segment will follow along the existing Highway 53 right- of-way. Long term, a buffered roadside trail section is preferred, but a short term solution may include an improved shoulder to accommodate confident bicyclist. SUMMARY Distance: 1.8 MILES Cost Est.: $4.4 M Estimated cost for 12’ wide concrete trail with conversion of ditch to curb and gutter (no R/W acquisition cost included) ---PAGE BREAK--- L U M PKIN CAM P G R O UND R D. 400 DAWSON FOREST RD E 53 SEGMENT 5-B HIGHWAY 53 SOUTH EXISTING HIGHWAY 53 SOUTH SUMMARY Distance: 1.1 MILES Cost Est.: TBD Cost will depend on the striping solution and could be done next time the road is repaved at no additional cost. EXAMPLE “ROAD DIET” - 4 LANE TO 3 LANE Image from Road Diet: Common Questions and Answers, US 29 This segment will be within the Highway 53 corridor where there a large amount existing development. Coordination with utilities and drainage will be crucial. Due to the presence of sidewalks on the majority of this segment, the best solution may be consideration of lane reductions, re-striping, etc. in order to allow for at a minimum shared bike lanes and preferably dedicated bike lanes in each direction. ---PAGE BREAK--- 30 C H A P T E R F O U R IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGIES 0 4 ---PAGE BREAK--- 4.1 FUNDING 4 IMPLEMENTATION 31 This chapter will summarize a recommended approach to encourage a timely implementation of this plan and will include a discussion of trail funding, route/segment summary and next steps. While the cost projected in this plan may seem daunting, public support of such projects has grown exponentially in the past decades. The amount, quality and cohesiveness of a communities trails systems are one the highest priorities for people when considering moving into an area. Trails also should be considered an investment with a definite return on investment. The benefits listed below represent a huge economic return on the money invested into trail projects. The economic benefits generated by trails dwarf the cost of land acquisition,construction and maintenance. ¹key economic benefits of trails are: • Increase the value of nearby properties. • Boost spending at local businesses. • Trails make communities more attractive places to live. • Trails influence business location and relocation decisions. • Trails reduce medical costs by encouraging exercise and other healthy outdoor activities. • Trails revitalize depressed areas, creating a demand for space in what were once vacant buildings. • Trails provide transportation options and cut fuel expenses. • Trails provide low or no-cost recreation to families • Trails increase tax revenues in the communities in which they are located. 1“Economic Benefits of Trails.” ConservationTools, conservationtools.org/guides/97-economic-benefits-of-trails. All sources of funding should be considered. These range from local level funding sources and community projects (to include private development inclusion of trails into new projects) to large state and federal funding opportunities. A brief summary of funding sources to consider are: Local • General fund allocations • SPLOST • Required incorporation of trails within new construction projects • Payment in lieu of options to build a fund • Community foundations • Non-profit collaborators • Corporate foundations: grants and volunteers • Small businesses or business partnerships: co-branding, events and sponsorship State • GDOT Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) • GADNR Recreational Trails Program Federal • USDOT Better Utilizing Investment to Leverage Development (BUILD) Grants • FHWA Federal Recreational Trails Program Grants • PeopleForBikes Community Grants org/ • The Conservation Alliance Grants • American Hiking Society’s National Trails Fund • Doppelt Family Trail Development Fund ---PAGE BREAK--- 4.2 ROUTE/SEGMENT SUMMARY ROUTE/ SEGMENT NAME TOTAL DISTANCE (IN MILES) ON ROAD (IN MILES OFF ROAD (IN MILES) ESTIMATED COST ESTIMATED COST PER MILE DAWSON FOREST 6.4 0.7 5.7 $23.1 MIL $3.6 MIL ETOWAH RIVER 6.6 0.0 6.6 $23.4 MIL $3.5 MIL GA 400 2.2 2.2 0.0 $6.6 MIL $3.0 MIL THOMPSON CREEK 1.5 1.5 0.0 $3.3 MIL $2.2 MIL HIGHWAY 53 2.9 2.9 0.0 $4.4 MIL $1.5 MIL TOTAL 19.6 7.3 12.3 $60.8 MIL $3.1 MIL 4.3 NEXT STEPS AND RESOURCES Next Steps • Acceptance of the Master Plan by the Development Authority of Dawson County • Adoption by the County Commission • Establish an Implementation Committee • Advance local ordinances (require trail construction or payment in lieu and land uses adjacent to trail. • Identify funding for acquisition of key parcels in plan. • Acquire key parcels. • Apply for grants and pursue inclusion of funding into local project incentives Web Resources Existing Trail Maps and Route information • www.georgiawildlife.com/dawson-forest-wma • www.alltrails.com/trail/us/georgia/dawson-forest-wildlife- management-area-trails Trail Funding Sources • www.gadnrle.org/RTP • www.headwaterseconomics.org/wp-content/uploads/Trails_ Funding_Resources_2018.pdf • www.permatrak.com/news-events/bid/99853/6-grants-for-trails- and-greenway-funding Trail Planning and Design • www.ruraldesignguide.com • www.fs.usda.gov/sites/default/files/Accessibility-Guide-Book.pdf • www.access-board.gov/aba/guides/chapter-10-outdoor • www.adainfo.org/sites/default/files/Accessible-Trail-Resources.pdf • www.conservationtools.org/guides/97-economic-benefits-of-trails Trail Plans in neighboring counties • www.ghmpo.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/South-Hall-Trail- Study.pdf • Greenway • http://path400greenway.org/about-us 32 Dawson County should utilize this study to identify priority routes/segments and bite of the construction one segment or sub-segment at a time. Consider elements such as existing areas that could act as short term temporary trailheads or logical temporary termini when funding is not available for the entire route/segment. The chart to the right provides a summary of the length (total, on road and off road) and estimated cost.