Newton Trails - Fall 2023 Newsletter

Fall 2023

ALCOVY RIVER TRESTLE RETROFIT UNDERWAY

Many thanks to the Newton County Board of Commissioners, Chairman Marcello Banes, and several other County leaders as well as to a major contributor who for now will remain anonymous!

With their recent actions, the final two pieces of the funding puzzle for the Alcovy River Trestle retrofit have fallen into place. Requests for bids for the construction work will go out to contractors within a month. A contractor will be selected before the end of the year and work will begin. We will be able to open the bridge sometime in latter part 2024.

At their October 3, 2023 meeting, the Board of Commissioners approved an agreement with Newton Trails that does the following:

Newton County will invest up to $400,000 in the project, with the money coming from impact fees.
Newton Trails will use money raised via contributions and grants over the past three years to cover the remainder of the costs. Our recent anonymous donor has ensured that we have sufficient funds.
The bid process and project will be managed and overseen by Newton County with advice and input from Newton Trails and the PATH Foundation.

TRAIL NEWS AND UPDATES

MARK YOUR CALENDARS - Newton Trails next fund-raising event will be in the Student Center at Oxford College on June 22, 2024. With funding in hand for the Alcovy River Trestle retrofit, future contributions will be used to help extend the Cricket Frog Trail, connect our various trails into a single network, build out trail amenities and parking areas, and improve and maintain the trails we have.

STREET CROSSINGS - Always remember to stop and look both ways before crossing any street or road. Drivers cannot always see you and sometimes do not stop for people in crosswalks. By the way, vehicles must stop for pedestrians in crosswalks, but cyclists only get such consideration if they dismount, become a pedestrian, and walk their bicycles across.

DEER SEASON - Deer season is on-going until January 15, 2024. On trails near hunting areas, please wear bright "I'M NOT A DEER!" colors. Blaze orange is traditional.

ALCOVY RIVER BRIDGE CLOSED - DO NOT CROSS - The Alcovy River Trestle on the Cricket Frog Trail is closed and will remain closed until it has been retrofitted and then opened sometime in 2024. DO NOT CROSS IT. When construction gets underway, the unpaved section from East End Road to the Alcovy River also will likely be closed.

Jeremy "Jack" Jackson's family and friends by the Cricket Frog Trail bench dedicated to his memory.

The repaired and renovated Little Free Library honoring the service of Covington's firefighters.

The Cricket Frog Trail entrance built by the City of Covington at Plantation Trace and Dearing streets.

Michelin Tread Technologies-Covington employees spent three hours picking up litter between Washington and Emory streets.

Newton Trails new online shop -

www.bonfire.com/store/newton-trails. Get your "Let's go for a . . . " shirt. You can fill in the blank with walk, run, hike, or ride. Every purchase results in a contribution to Newton Trails.

Cricket Frog Trail shirts - You can purchase a shirt in the color and style of your choice and other items bearing the Cricket Frog Trail logo at Rush Tees and Signs on the Covington Square. Every item purchased results in a contribution to Newton Trails.

NEWTON TRAILS' DONORS AND SPONSORS

Newton Trails appreciates all its sponsors, donors, supporters, and volunteers. Per our Donor, Sponsor, and Supporter Recognition Program (https://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 Fall 2022 Newsletter was published on October 5, 2022. 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)

Covington Police Who Care

General Mills

Main Street Land and Properties

Mayfield Ace Hardware

Newton County

Pratt Industries

PLATINUM ($5,000 - $9,999)

Animal Medical of Covington

Ascend Elements

Cinelease

John and Susie Keck

Melissa McCarthy

GOLD ($2,500 - $4,999)

Cathy Laseter

Covington Media Holdings

Cynthia Abbot

Edward Jones Investments, Stuart Hamilton

Emory Bailey

Hesters Package Store

Hoyt Baker

John and Kelli Nipper

Jonna and Chip West

Keenan Media

Kendra and Lee Mayfield

Latham Home Sanitation

Lowell Chamber and Melanie Sheets

Megan Sellars

Quinn Residences

Steve Reagan

United Bank

Verescence

SILVER ($1,000 - $2,499)

100 Women Who Care

Berkshire Hathaway Home Services

Bob Rutland

Covington Conyers Cycling Club

Covington Town Center

Debra and Rich Griffith

Duane and Sheri Ford

First Baptist Academy Bike Club

Ginn Motors

Herring Properties

Jerry Bouchillon

Joe Simon

Josh and Heather King

Mark and Lisa Hanson

MB Buckner

Michelin

Nitro2Go

Norris and Frances Little

Peach State Construction

Robert Stansfield

Ross Animal Hospital

Satsuki Garden Club

Stuart and Sandra Hamilton

COPPER ($500 - $999)

Alison Thompson

American Realty – David Haymore

Archer Aviation

Bill and Julie Gramzinski

Bob Rutland

Caroline Buckner

City Pharmacy

Cyclists for Change

David Sheffield

Gary Massey Insurance

Georgia Realty Association

Georgia Water & Environmental

Services (GWES, LLC)

Greg and Tamara Richardson

Greta and Monty deMayo

Jan and Craig Hudson

Julie Edenfield

Keck + Wood

Kimberly Ma

La Vie Salon

Megan Hulgan

Nita Thompson

Paige Oftedl

Pete and Gail Carter

Premier Petroleum

ReMax – Jennifer Tucker

RHI/Holiday Inn Express

Robert Tabb

Rodney and Julia Sheets

Sandy and Betsy Morehouse

Scott Hubbard Insurance Agency, Inc

Southern Bicycle League

Steve Purvis

Thomas Callander

WPG Golf Carts

SUPPORT NEWTON TRAILS BY FOLLOWING THESE LINKS

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.