Fall 2021

SEVEN MORE MILES PLANNED FOR PAVING

Barring bad weather or other unforeseen problems, seven more miles of the Cricket Frog Trail will be paved this year. The City of Covington should complete the Dried Indian Creek Bridge and the trail between Emory and Pace streets by mid-December. Newton County has already started paving the unpaved sections in the County, south and east of East End Road. The City of Mansfield will pay to complete trail paving in its City limits with Newton County hauling and laying down the asphalt. These construction projects represent a giant step toward extending the Cricket Frog Trail from Porterdale to Newborn. Three other significant efforts aimed at that goal are currently underway. First, Newton Trails has contracted with the PATH Foundation for the purpose of obtaining a design and cost estimate for the work that needs to be done to create a safe trail bridge over the Alcovy River. The PATH Foundation will deliver that design and estimate at the end of October. Newton Trails will then begin an all-out effort to raise the funds needed to do the work and open the bridge. In the meantime the old 342 foot long railroad trestle over the Alcovy River is, and will remain, closed. Second, Newton Trails remains in conversation with Norfolk Southern Railways in hopes of extending its lease and the Cricket Frog Trail from Ziegler Road through Newborn to the Jasper County line. Third, Newton County is currently developing plans for construction of the Yellow River Trail which will eventually connect Porterdale to our area's expanding trail network including the Cricket Frog Trail.

PREPARING FOR PAVING

This summer, Newton Trails' volunteers have worked hard to prepare the trail ahead of Newton County's paving project. The work has included 1) demolition of the old and installation of new abutments on both ends the East Bear Creek and West Bear Creek bridges, 2) clearing brush and trees that were growing too close to where the new asphalt paving will be put down, and 3) spraying the trail with herbicide to kill vegetation that might eventually grow through and damage the asphalt. Newton Trails' board members have led and worked on these projects and many thanks to them and the numerous volunteers who helped. These fine folk contributed their expertise, equipment, time, talent, and labor. Jim Behning, John McCarthy, and Lowell Chambers led the bridge abutment work. John McCarthy and Jim Behning led the tree and brush removal effort. And, Debra Griffith and Greg Richardson led the spraying project. Finally, Mayfield Ace Hardware deserves a special thank you for receiving and temporarily storing the timbers used to build the new bridge abutments.

NEW TRAIL AMENITIES Thanks to several donors, the Cricket Frog Trail now features several new trail amenities. Six pet waste stations have been installed along the trail. Two were donated by John Callaway, two by Beth and Jim Gilmore, and two by Layla and Marty Zon (see photo). Two more will soon be installed, one of which has been donated by the Satsuki Garden Club. The Trail's first bench has been installed about halfway between Conyers Street and the Covington Bypass. It was donated by the Satsuki Garden Club and three of their members (Beverly Copeland, David Waller, and Jean Harwell, left to right in the photo) were the first to enjoy it. Two more benches are on the way. One has been donated in memory of Joey Courchaine by his co-workers at the Department of Driver Services. The other will be purchased and placed by Newton Trails to recognize the contributions of former board member and trail champion Bob Rutland.

Would you or your organization like to adopt and help maintain a section of trail? Trail sections are available for those interested in joining Newton Trails' Adopt-a-Spot Program. For details visit https://www.newtontrails.org/adopt-a-spot.

NEWTON TRAILS' 2021 BUSINESS AND ORGANIZATION SPONSORS

Newton Trails appreciates and always seeks to recognize and thank individuals, businesses, and organizations which contribute time, money, or materials in any amount. For details, about Newton Trails' Sponsorship/Supporter Program, please go to www.newtontrails.org/business-sponsors.

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The mission of Newton Trails, Inc., is to promote, develop, and sustain a connected system of greenway trails which support vibrant, healthy, and prosperous communities and the conservation of natural habitats, plants, and wildlife.