Just like the Atlanta Beltline links some of the city’s best neighborhoods, a new plan aims to connect its trails.
The City of Atlanta is partnering with the PATH Foundation to create a city-wide trail plan called Trails ATL.
Trails ATL: What We Know So Far
Trails ATL is an ambitious citywide trail expansion plan initiated by the City of Atlanta in partnership with the PATH Foundation to enhance the city’s walkability and connectivity through a comprehensive multi-use trail network.
Approved unanimously by the Atlanta City Council on June 16, 2025, the plan aims to create a 535-mile trail network, ensuring 95% of Atlantans have access to safe, inviting trails within a 10-minute walk or wheelchair trip by 2052.
How Large Will Trails ATL Be and Where Will It Connect?
The initiative seeks to improve transportation options, reduce car dependency, and enhance quality of life by connecting neighborhoods, parks, schools, MARTA stations, and commercial hubs. It aims to make Atlanta one of the most trail-connected cities in the U.S., potentially surpassing current greenway networks.
The plan includes adding 420 miles of new trails to the existing 100+ miles already built or funded, creating a network that integrates greenways, protected street trails, and multi-use paths designed for all ages and abilities, including wheelchair users, walkers, runners, cyclists, and scooter users.
Trails ATL: Phase 1
Phase 1 focuses on areas like Buckhead, Lakewood, Adams Park, and southwest Atlanta’s Emerald Network, connecting underserved areas to key destinations. Trails like the Virginia Trail near Piedmont Park and the Airport Trail south of downtown are highlighted.
The first phase, spanning a decade, proposes 35 miles of trails across 23 projects, including 29 miles of greenways and 6 miles of protected street trails, with an estimated cost of $252 million. Key projects include trails like Adams Park Trail, Blue Heron Greenway, Proctor Creek Greenway, and the Olympic Trail.
Trails ATL: What Are Residents Saying?
Developed over 18 months with over 100 public meetings, the plan incorporates community input to determine trail locations and types, ensuring they meet local needs. It also aims to address concerns about displacement by integrating anti-displacement strategies.
The plan emphasizes inclusivity, ensuring trails are accessible to all, including those with disabilities. It also addresses concerns about gentrification, aiming to prevent displacement of legacy residents near new trails, as seen with some BeltLine impacts.
The $252 million price tag for Phase 1 is significant, and funding remains a key hurdle. Critics, including Dr. Na’Taki Osborne Jelks, have raised concerns about potential housing affordability issues, drawing parallels to the BeltLine’s impact on nearby communities.
Final Word
Next steps include integrating the plan into the city’s zoning code, updating the Comprehensive Transportation Plan to prioritize trail alignments, and developing funding strategies.
Potential funding sources are not detailed but may involve city investments, partnerships, and development contributions.
Existing trail feedback, such as inoperative water fountains on other regional trails, suggests maintenance could be a challenge, but only time will tell.
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