The Dirt on PATH400
Denise Starling, executive director of Livable Buckhead, gives us the dirt on PATH400 progress.
New Sections Coming Soon!
Loridans to Sandy Springs – I am very excited to share with you that we have MORE progress to report! The City of Atlanta has completed the bid process to secure a construction contractor, and our friends at the Atlanta Regional Commission have helped us out with an additional $1 million to make it a reality. All we have to do now is get the contracts in place, authorize the funding and get everything underway. Watch out for it to start late this summer, if all goes well 🤞 YEEEEEHAW!
Miami Circle Gateway – We’re inching closer to a gateway that PATH400 truly deserves! The bids are in, a contractor has been selected, and contracting is getting underway by our friends at PATH Foundation. Then we’ll be ready to rock! Keep your eyes peeled as construction begins in the coming months, with an exciting completion anticipated just in time for our October Party on the PATH!
New Trees
If you’ve recently driven along GA 400 to admire the newly poured wall by the Wieuca bridge, you may have noticed a new addition… TREES! Thanks to our amazing friends at the City of Atlanta’s Tree Trust Fund and Triscapes, we’ve got a bunch of new Foster Hollies! These trees are strategically placed to screen the trail from the highway and will hopefully make that wall a less-inviting target for graffiti. By the way, if you’re one of the taggers who keeps adding your “art” along the trail, please reach out to me – I’d much rather commission you for some real artwork than keep covering up your unsanctioned contributions!
Steel
You loyal readers know that we are experiencing delays on getting the steel for our bridge. You also know Mama always says if you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all, right? I should just stop there, but you know me…I’m going to spill the tea.
We thought everyone on the project team was in agreement on the path forward (pun intended) to resolve the problems, but unfortunately, that was not the case. What looked like a few steps forward a few weeks ago has proven to be no progress whatsoever coupled with a strained working relationship with our fabricator. We are supposed to have a new schedule and plan next week…
Needless to say, we’re exploring all options and giving it our all. In the meantime, enjoy Mountain Drive. (Sorry Mama, I rewrote this three times, but it just didn’t work out.)
Big Peach Social Ride
Did y’all catch the swarm of bikers that came out to tour PATH400 on March 24th? It was incredible! Thanks to our friends at Big Peach Ride + Run and Propel ATL, we had around 100 folks join us, many of whom had never experienced the trail before and absolutely loved it! And let’s not forget the delicious sangria courtesy of Ernesto and the fantastic Eclipse di Luna team – it was a hit!
Hard Hat Tours
Our next hard hat tour is scheduled for Saturday, April 27th at 12pm. Put on those boots and come play in the dirt with me for your behind the scenes peek into construction! Click here to register.
Photography by Drew Amerson
Raise the Rails
Every time I write about Raise the Rails, people make donations to help us make sure the section of PATH400 over Mountain Way Common is as safe as possible. We are so grateful for our neighbors’ generosity, so if you’ve made a gift already, thank you! And, if you haven’t made a gift, it’s not too late. We are getting closer to securing the $50,000 matching gift. Your gift may just be the one that takes us over the top! You can learn more and make your donation here.
buckheadRUN! 5k on Saturday, May 4th
Attention all Star Wars enthusiasts and flower aficionados – we want YOU to join us for our 6th annual buckheadRUN! 5K on May the 4th! Join us for a run, walk, stroll or crawling good time. Come dressed in your finest floral attire or show off your creative flair with a flower/Star Wars mashup costume for a chance to win some fabulous prizes! I’ve already got my gown and hair buns ready to go – but you already knew my inner dork would take me in that direction so no surprises there!
For being a loyal reader of this update, use promo code APRILDIRT10 for $10 off! Click here to register.
Sign Up to Volunteer!
Race Day Set-up / Ambassadors / Cheer Squad
Date / Time: Saturday, May 4 from 6-9am
Location: 3399 Peachtree Dr. NE, Atlanta, 30305
Description: Join us to help create an amazing experience for our 5K participants. Opportunities will include set-up, race ambassadors and even just cheering racers on.
Children’s Chalk Art on PATH400
Date / Time: Friday, May 3 from 3-6pm
Location: 3399 Peachtree Dr. NE, Atlanta, 30305
Description: In preparation for our flower-themed 5K event, we want to make sure PATH400 is appropriately adorned! We invite students to come out & decorate PATH400 with chalk art flowers. We’ll provide the chalk – you provide the art!
