Newton Trails - Summer 2024 Newsletter

July 2024

SAFE ROAD CROSSINGS

We have heard frightening stories from both trail users and area drivers. Some trail users report experiencing drivers that do not stop for pedestrians in the crosswalks. Some area drivers have reported near misses of trail users who barreled into the road without stopping or looking, particularly cyclists and including some children.

If you are a trail user, please stop and look both ways before crossing any street, road, or highway. If you are with children, please ensure they stop, and if they race ahead of you, please, make sure they always stop and wait for you at all intersections. If there are rapid flashers available, please activate them, but understand that drivers may not stop even with the flashers operating.

If you are a driver, please slow at trail crossings and watch for trail users. If the rapid flashers have been activated, pay particular attention. Stop for pedestrians within the crosswalk, state law requires it.

Newton Trails wants everyone to be safe. Remember though, trails are used at your own risk, please be careful!

Finally, Newton Trails wants to recognize General Mills Covington Plant. They provided a $35,000 grant that allowed us to install rapid flashers where the Cricket Frog Trail crosses Dixie Road and where it crosses County Highway 213. Many thanks to them for improving trail safety.

Please stop and look both ways before crossing any road. This driver stopped; not all do.

Sign recognizing the grant given by General Mills Covington Plant for the flashers.

New rapid flasher system at the intersection of the Cricket Frog Trail and County Highway 213.

CONSTRUCTION UPDATE

Alcovy River Bridge on the Cricket Frog Trail - Construction is going well. Excellere Construction, LLC has essentially completed the middle span that goes over the river itself. They have removed the old wooden trestles on the two ends of the bridge. Those trestles will be replaced with pre-fabricated steel spans. Newton County is contributing SPLOST funds to cover about 40% of the cost; Newton Trails raised the remainder from donations and grants. Many, many thanks to our donors, sponsors, and supporters. Expected completion is fall 2024. Photos by George Cribbs. Watch for future updates on our Facebook page, www.facebook.com/newtontrails.

Connecting Newborn, Georgia - Newton Trails, the Town of Newborn, and the Newton County Transportation Department are collaborating on a project aimed at extending the Cricket Frog Trail from its current terminus at Zeigler Road to a newly developing trailhead and park on Timberlake Drive in Newborn. This effort will add about 0.6 miles to the Trail and will result in a trail connection between three of Newton County's five municipalities. The necessary easements have been obtained. Newborn has begun building the trailhead. Cost estimates have been received. This project is moving forward!

The wooden trestle on this side of the Alcovy River Bridge has been removed. It will be replaced with a pre-fabricated steel span.

The center section of the Alcovy River Bridge is essentially complete. Note the concrete trail surface and the steel handrails.

The newly developed parking area off Timberlake Drive in Newborn, Georgia. This will serve as parking for the new trailhead been built.

BICYCLE RACKS

Thanks to the generosity of a local donor, Newton Trails recently installed bicycle racks along the Cricket Frog Trail near Pace Street in Covington. They will be useful to cyclists wanting to visit or do business downtown.

A challenge to area businesses and organizations - There is a need for bicycle racks at or near Newton County businesses and organizations to provide convenient and safe parking for customers, patients, employees, and visitors who cycle to stores, restaurants, businesses, healthcare facilities, recreation areas, and other places of interest. Newton Trails challenges all businesses and organizations to consider installing one or a few racks.

Compared to the cost of one vehicle parking space, bike racks are dirt cheap. Newton Trails paid less than $200 for each of the two racks it recently installed.

Our offers to you - 1) Newton Trails will be glad to advise any Newton County business or organization about what racks to buy, where to buy them, and where to locate them. 2) If any Newton Trails sponsor, donor, or partner buys a rack(s) and material(s), Newton Trails volunteers will do provide the labor for installation, if needed.

NEW TEE-SHIRTS AVAILABLE

The shirts are light green in color and a quality all-cotton fabric. Available in sizes S-3XL; $30 per shirt.

They bear the Newton Trails logo on the front left and the Cricket Frog Trail logo on the back.

To order, please email us at info@newtontrails.org or using Facebook messenger and we will work out a sale time and place.

JUNE 22 CASINO NIGHT

Newton Trails' Casino Night Fundraiser In the Student Center at Oxford College of Emory University was a success. Feedback from participants suggests it was a great time. The food and drink provided by Harvest and Honey, our local caterer, was excellent. Big Eastern Events and its dealers, which set up and ran the gaming tables, were great. Newton Trails' volunteers did their usual fantastic job. All in all, it was a fun evening.

Most importantly, we raised funds to help extend the Cricket Frog Trail to Newborn on the east and to Lakeview Drive on the west, to connect it with the Eastside Trail, and to support our operations and trail maintenance work.

We thank everyone who attended; every business, organization, or individual who sponsored the event, and everyone who donated a raffle item.

NEWTON TRAILS' DONORS AND SPONSORS

Newton Trails appreciates all its sponsors, donors, supporters, and volunteers. Per our Donor, Sponsor, and Supporter Recognition Program (www.newtontrails.org/donor-recognition) we recognize donors who have contributed at least $500 in four consecutive Newsletters. Our January newsletter and annual report lists everyone who made a cash contribution in the previous calendar year.

Here are the sponsors and donors who have contributed since the Summer 2023 Newsletter was published on June 23, 2023. We try to get this list right, but if you see an error, please let us know at info@newtontrails.org.

DIAMOND ($10,000 or more)

Beaver Manufacturing

City of Covington

Fowler Properties

General Mills Covington Plant

George Haymons

Mayfield Ace Hardware