Forsyth Big Creek Greenway Phase 3 First Impressions

I took my first walk on the new Forsyth Big Creek Greenway last week. Due to the setting sun I was only able to walk the 3rd phase from Bethelview (141) to Majors Road.

Forsyth Big Creek Parkway Entrance at Bethelview Road (141)

A simple brown state park sign marks the entrance to the greenway on Bethelview when heading north. The parking lot is located .7 miles north of Castleberry Road on 141, and is easily found just after crossing the Big Creek bridge. It is on the left when heading north and on the right when heading south. The parking lot is simple, covered with loosely laid gravel with no parking spaces marked. The entrance to the trail is marked with trail guidelines and 3 yellow guard posts (to keep motorized vehicles out). Note the posted sign warning of coyotes. They are common in the area, as in all Georgia counties and have been spotted. Keep pets on a leash and children within sight.

Heading south on the trail, you start by crossing Big Creek River immediately. I was impressed with the woodwork on the bridge and the view of the field below. This will likely become a good place to spot animals on the trail.  Within a quarter mile of starting the trail, you will find the first of many pet stations.  Each is equipped with bags to pick up after your pets, a trash receptacle for the bags, a trash can, and a bench.

Forsyth Big Creek Greenway Woodwork

Soon after the first pet station is the first boardwalk.  The woodwork of these board walks that line a good bit of the trail makes the bridge at the entrance look like a high school shop project.  There is no doubt that a lot of lumber and labor went into the building of this trail, far beyond the amount of effort laying the mainly concrete trail in Alpharetta would have taken.  The second thought that comes to mind is that this phase of the trail will be fairly expensive when it comes to maintaining it.  After a little more walking, I understand why the boardwalks were required.  Most of this phase of the Greenway is just barely above the river level, and will probably flood on a regular basis, even with small amounts of rainfall.

The rest of the trail on the way to Majors Road is built above marsh like areas lying between towering trees.  This will be a beautiful walk as the leaves start to change this fall, as the number of hardwoods far outnumber the pine trees.  A series of rust colored and textured metal bridges cross Big Creek as you continue on the trail.  The trail never ventures too far from the river, though views of the river are limited due to the low lying path.  At least three more pet stations line the trail to Majors Road in the 1.5 mile stretch of phase three.  These resting stations are something the Alpharetta greenway lacks.  Another thing the Forsyth greenway has an advantage over the Alpharetta green way is how wide it is.  It is easily navigable by bicyclists and joggers at the same time, with plenty of room for passing.

The Low Lying Greenway in Forsyth will be prone to flooding even in light rain

Overall this portion of the trail is well done.  Good for walkers, joggers, runners, bikers, and those just out for a leisurely stroll alike.  It is wide enough you don’t feel you have to step aside when someone is passing.  With the tall trees, it is well shaded from the sun which will be wonderful during the hot Georgia summers.  The biggest downsides I see to this phase of the trail are the cost of maintenance due to the woodwork and the low level of the trail that will be prone to flooding.  I enjoyed my first walk, and can’t wait to get out and see phase 2 in the coming weeks and finally phase 1 when it is completed.  You can see more pictures of my first walk here.