With more rain forecast for the rest of the week, please make sure you check the City of Alpharetta Greenway Website to get the current status of the Alpharetta trail and call the Forsyth County Rain out line (770.886.2851) for the status of the Forsyth trail before heading to the greenway.

As always, you can check the Alpharetta Greenway website to get the current status of the Alpharetta trail and call the Forsyth County Rain out line (770.886.2851) for the status of the Forsyth trail before heading out.

Webb Bridge to Marconi Drive Map

While searching for new information on the Big Creek Greenway extensions, I came across this site that contains drafts of a plan to extend the Alpharetta section of the greenway from Webb Bridge Road to Marconi Drive.

The most interesting drawing I could find was this one that actually shows the path the trail would take (pdf).  I’m not sure if LDI-Line Construction has been selected for this segment, or if these are plans drawn up for a bid on the construction.

Whether or not LDI-Line has received the project, it is always nice to see plans on paper that move the Alpharetta and Forsyth sections of the trail closer to connecting.

Unfortunately, even with sun and moderate temperatures forecast, the flooding will likely close the Greenway for the weekend.  Please check the Alpharetta website for the status of the Greenway and call the Greenway Status Hotline (770.886.2851 extension 5) for the Forsyth Greenway before visiting the trails.

Currently in development:

• Current Conditions – This page will give information on the current condition of the Greenway trail in 2 sections, Forsyth and Alpharetta.  In addition to the current weather and creek level it will give the status of that segment of the trail.  This will come in handy given the amount of rain we have seen recently.
• Community Forums – The forums will give a place for our users to talk about the Greenway, plan events, and give feedback about the site.

Ideas not yet in development:

• Flickr Photo Pool – A photo pool on Flickr would allow you to share your pictures of the Greenway on the site.  We would feature a photo each day or week on the site.

Are there any other features you would like to see on the site?  Anything that you would like to see incorporated into the features listed above?  We’d love to get some feedback so that the site can keep moving in the right direction.  Leave a comment below, or send us an e-mail with your suggestions!

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

I’m a couple weeks behind in updating the site, but as of December 4th, 2009, phase 1 of the Forsyth Big Creek Greenway is open. This 4 mile segment of the trail stretching from McFarland Parkway to Highway 9 brings the total length of the trail to 6.7 miles in Forsyth County. This is nearly half the planned length of 15 miles when all sections are completed.  Plenty of space for bikers, runners, joggers, and walkers alike.

I’ve put up some pictures of the ribbon cutting ceremony that my in-laws were nice enough to take (thanks Judy!). I was unfortunately unable to attend due to my work schedule. Even with heavy rains earlier in the week that caused flooding and the chilly weather, the ceremony continued. The ribbon cutting was over shortly after 10am, and the trail opened with a motorized tour of the new segment for those who were interested.

Forsyth Big Creek Greenway Phase 1

The opening of the Forsyth Big Creek Greenway Phase 1 from Highway 9 to McFarland Parkway has been pushed back due to heavy rains in the area.  The new official trail opening will be on Friday December 4th at 10:30am.  There will be a ribbon cutting to celebrate the opening of the new 4 mile section of the greenway.

Heavy rains in the area have pushed Big Creek to near flood stage.  With additional heavy rain expected in the area, it will likely go over the minor flood stage of 7 feet at Kimball Bridge.  At the time of this article it was already at 6.7 feet.  Use caution visiting the trails when water levels begin to reach minor flood stage.

We’ll keep you up to date as we find out more about the opening of the trail Friday, including where the ribbon cutting will take place and if the ceremony gets pushed back due to the weather again.

December 2009 Big Creek Greenway Events

Biking and walking events are scheduled on the Big Creek Greenway in the coming weeks.  It looks like they are both individually organized (nothing official).

Sunday December 6th, 2009

Someone over at oacs-atlanta.com is organizing a kid-friendly bike ride get together on Sunday December 6th at 11am.  They are meeting at the Starbucks on North Point Parkway (next to Barnes and Noble near Mansell Road) and riding from Mansell Road to the end of the Alpharetta Greenway north of the YMCA and back.  Sign up for the ride here if you are interested.

Wednesday December 9th, 2009

Sticks and Strides Fitness Walking Club is hosting a Big Creek Greenway fitness walk at the Forsyth County Bethelview Road entrance on December 9th.  You can discuss and find out more details about the walk at Meetup.com.

Happy Trailing!

Pipes Dredging Sand

There is no doubt that Big Creek has a history of flooding.  A contractor has put forth a deal to dredge part of Big Creek East of Highway 9, removing sand and using it for a park.  Forsyth County has expressed interest in the plan, and is looking further into the project.  The pipes removing the sand would go over or under the Big Creek Greenway, and the contractor has said they will go unnoticed if placed under bridges.  The project could take up to 6 months, and would only create a small amount of noise on the trail.

[Read more at ForsythNews.com]

Forsyth Big Creek Greenway Phase 1 End of Trail

Phase 1 of the Forsyth County Big Creek Greenway trail was originally scheduled to open in early/mid November. With all the heavy rains and flooding in the area recently, that has been pushed back. It is now scheduled to open on December 2nd, just after Thanksgiving and just in time to exercise away those leftover turkey sandwiches.

The longest phase of the Forsyth Greenway, Phase 1 stretches between McFarland Parkway and Atlanta Highway 9.  It offers more of the same as Phase 2 and 3 with a mixture of paved areas and boardwalks.  The additional 4.5 miles of trail will make the Forsyth Greenway a popular spot for biking making the total trail 6.7 miles long (13.4 miles roundtrip.) [Phase 1 First Impressions]

So enjoy Thanksgiving break and get out to the Greenway while the weather is nice to make room for the winter holidays right around the corner.  Oh yeah, and have a Happy Thanksgiving!