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Environmental Impact of Extending Riverside Trail Concerns Residents
Residents turned out Thursday evening to air concerns about the environmental impact of extending Riverside Trail.
Roswell residents Rick and Sheila Pashman review a map about proposed improvements to the Riverside Trail.
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Trails and boardwalks for pedestrians and bicyclists along the Chattahoochee River are appealing to many Roswell residents, but they do not want to sacrifice the habitat of the area for that pleasure. This concern, among others, was stressed Thursday evening, Mar. 10, when the city held its final public meeting about the Roswell Riverside Trail Connection.
About 100 residents turned out for the meeting where they were able to study maps detailing proposed trails and boardwalks. They were also able to speak to city officials and staff from the National Parks Service.
At issue are the fourth and fifth phases of projects for the Riverside Trail. For 10.2 miles, the trail winds along the Chattahoochee River in Roswell until it ends at the intersection of Azalea Drive and Willeo Road. These phases are intended to extend the trail and connect it to a proposed trail system in Cobb County.
Phase IV would connect Azalea Drive to the existing boardwalk at the Chattahoochee Nature Center. Phase V would connect the Chattahoochee Nature Center to Willeo Park near the Fulton-Cobb County line. Both phases include elevated boardwalks in addition to the trails.
The goal of the projects is two-fold.
Charlie McMillan, a consultant working on the project, explained that extending the trail would increase recreational activities, especially for those who want to walk the trail and enjoy the historic Chattahoochee area. Second, the project, should improve the safety for bicyclists and pedestrians.
That rang all well and good to many who attended the meeting, but there were naysayers who said, “not so fast.”
Residents pleaded with the officials on hand at the meeting who are organizing the extension effort to take into account the impact the project would have on the environment. Furthermore, several dismissed the notion that there would be a minimal impact on the habitat.
“Wildlife is just as important as bicyclists,” voiced one resident who recalled seeing snapping turtles in the area that could be 100 years old.
It would be naïve to think that an increase in people traversing the trail would not be intrusive, said another resident. “This will impact the habitat. They don’t want to be around more people. They will feel threatened.”
Some residents worried about walkers trying to enjoy the trail being in harm’s way of bicyclists.
Mayor Jere Wood tried to calm fears of bicyclists being disruptive by plowing along the trail at high speeds and possibly injuring people walking it.
“You’re not going to see the spandex-wearing bicyclists on this trail,” Wood said. “You’ll see people with strollers and kids on bikes with training wheels.”
Also of concern are the hours the trail would be open to the public. It would follow city park hours. Because the trail passes near many homes, residents said people could be disturbed in the early morning hours and evenings by the noise of those using the trail.
Possible illegal activity at the trails in the wee hours of the night also made some residents anxious.
Patty Wissenberg, superintendent of the National Park Service, said that all of the concerns and suggestions would be taken into account. She said that information was valuable and residents were encouraged to continue to submit their thoughts to the park service and city. She added that the environmental impact of the trails and boardwalks has been studied extensively. That includes consulting with the Audubon Society and the Upper Chattahoochee Riverkeeper association.
“We want the public’s input,” Wissenberg said. “We are in the early stages of this process. The next step is to evaluate the input [we should] use to create solid alternatives for the proposed project.”
The proposed trails and boardwalks would be similar in design and construction of those at Big Creek. The projects are estimated to cost $3.5 million. It will receive funding from the city of Roswell, as well as the state and the federal government.
Once construction begins, construction could take four to six months for each of the phases. It would be done concurrently.
Roswell resident Jemille Williams said she was happy to see the trail extension project.
“The design seems great,” Williams said. “I’m trusting you.”
Roswell Park Hours:
Monday-Thursday 9 a.m.-9 p.m.; Friday 9 a.m.-7 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
What are your feelings about the proposed trail connections?
Tell us in the comments.
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Andrew Telker
11:16 am on Friday, March 11, 2011
Excellent Report about the Roswell Riverwalk Meeting by Tedra De Sue of the Roswell patch. I was in the Second Row, and I got some great Video Footage of the Presentation for anybody interested. I was really thrilled to see some many great folks in attendance.
To see more about the Community Meeting, including exclusive Video Footage of the Mayor Of Roswell, Jere Wood, addressing the public, READ MY NEW BLOG POST:
http://andrewtelker.blogspot.com/2011/03/notice-of-public-information-open-house.html
Christine Foster
12:27 pm on Friday, March 11, 2011
Thanks for posting Andrew, I'll definitely check out your blog!
Joe Seconder
2:24 pm on Friday, March 11, 2011
I was there. The guy who said “Wildlife is just as important as bicyclists,” and talked about turtles was standing next to the other guy who talked about turtles. They live in East Cobb over by Columns Drive and have a big conspiracy theory going on thinking that all of north metro Atlanta's recreational bicycle traffic will eventually converge in their public road. These folks are in their 70's and somehow FEAR families and children being outside enjoying themselves. The have attended ANY kind of public meeting surrounding trails -- Lower Roswell Rd in East Cobb, Morgan Falls Bridge, etc. Nearly 3 years ago they convinced the Cobb County Commission to pass an illegal statute to prohibit bicyclists from riding 2 abrest in Columns Drive (which is provided for in GA law and we have a GDOT attorney confirming that it is illegal) Here's the proof that these retirees think this is a conspiracy: http://gallery.mailchimp.com/3db7c71ac9a69f48e05c01643/files/Trail_Projects_Convergence_1_.pdf
janet h russell
4:42 pm on Friday, March 11, 2011
I attended the meeting last night sponsored by the City of Roswell. The presentations were well done . The moderator answered all questions and the audience seemed positive and receptive to the new plans. It seems the Bull Sluice option is the most preferred and I agree.
The older man who spoke about saving the turtles described them as 100lbs one time and then 100 yrs old the next. He failed to identify himself or his address. Since the Bull Sluice road was there in the 1940's I am sure that these turtles will welcome the road back. I am sure they have missed it. I do think it is important that at future meetings the City asked who among the group are Roswell residents vs. interlopers with not much to do except resist positive changes that connect people to their environment in a healthy way. This project is a wonderful addition to our "string of pearls" of riverside parks in Roswell.
Byron Robinson
6:24 am on Saturday, March 12, 2011
I am currently a resident of Sandy Springs, but am looking for houses in Roswell close to the area being discussed. One of the primary reasons for our move is the great interconnected Roswell/National Park trail system, and Roswell's continued committment to cycling and recreational trails--unlike Sandy Springs, which seems to not care much at all about these issues.
I am also a strong supporter of most environmental issues, but I am not sure how big the environmental imapct would be of the propersed elevated boardwalk. I would like to hear what biologists and other experts have to say, rather than the opinion of local residents (or Columns Dr residents), who may be covering NIMBYism with "environmental" concerns.
Finally, I frequently wonder at the great fear residents have of the cycling community. Yes, I know some can be rude and run stop signs, but I generally find cyclists to be much less aggressive than most Atlanta drivers (and they weigh about 2,000 pounds less!). Moreover, where the present project is concerned, I don't think the spandex crowd will have much impact. When I get on my road bike for a "fast" ride (fast for a middle-aged, slightly overweight guy, anyway), I never ride on recreational multi-use trails. I don't want to run into a child in a stroller or a jogger anymore than they want to be run into. I do, however, take my kids out on these trails fairly frequently in the hopes of teaching them about running, cycling, the outdoors, and to have fun.
Eric
12:31 am on Sunday, March 13, 2011
It has been proven time and time again all over the country, that when a change is proposed the fear factor comes out. Then those so apposed become the braggers and advocates of that trail they thought they didn't want. This trail means economic impact to our community. In this 6th Congressional District there is currently 16.6 million spent annually at 42 retail outlets on just bicycle related items. This creates 96 jobs and 996,000 in annual tax revenue. These numbers don't include the runners that buy clothing, music electronics, shoes, etc so the impact is so huge! Plus I haven't even touched the health benefits.
Why appose a project that has a positive return? Let's stop spending money on improving an intersection for millions and start helping people have a healthy choice and greater community socialization for only thousands.