Covington Police Department's New Youth Bike Club

Contributed by Jan Hudson

CPD Youth Bike Club began riding on the Cricket Frog and other local trails in July 2024. The club is open to boys and girls who are 10 to 16 years old, possess a bicycle, and are available to ride weekdays from 3:30-5:00 p.m. Rides are held twice a month on local trails. The rides are about 9 miles and 90 minutes long. There are currently 10-15 youth riders. The club has a goal of riding the Cricket Frog Trail from Legion Field to Mansfield once the Alcovy River Bridge is opened.

To inquire about or to join the Club, please contact Jan Hudson at janhudson@charter.net.

The bike club is led by Capt. Gene Nuqui, Lt. Allan Seebaran, Officer Chris Bowles, Officer Michael Canty, and other officers from the Covington Police Department (CPD) Pedal Patrol. 

The purpose of the CPD Youth Bike Club is to build positive attitudes and relationships with law enforcement, develop biking skills, exercise, be a part of a team, build confidence, and enjoy the great outdoors. Look for the club the next time you are out on the trails! 

CPD Youth Bike Club on the Cricket Frog Trail. Photo's contributed by Jan Hudson.

The Cricket Frog Trail in the morning. Contributed by Patricia Stewart.

First trail ride on new bikes. Contributed by Kristy Mills

CONTRIBUTED TRAIL STORIES OR PHOTOS

Many thanks to Jan Hudson, Patricia Stewart, and Kristy Mills for contributing the trail story and photos above. If you have a trail story or photo you would like to share with the 1800+ recipients of Newton Trails' quarterly Newsletter or perhaps with our 4500+ Facebook followers, please submit them to info@newtontrails.org.

Guidelines for Trail Stories - All submissions must include your name, address, daytime phone number, and an email address. Stories cannot be longer than 250 words. Newton Trails’ newsletter editor reserves the right to use or reject any or all stories. He may edit stories for clarity.  

Guidelines for Photos - All submissions must include your name, address, daytime phone number, and an email address. Photos must be taken by the person who has submitted them and must be of high enough resolution for publication. 

SAFETY FIRST

Trails are used at your own risk, please be careful. A few reminders:

• Bicycle helmets - A volunteer recently observed a near tragic accident. Out by East Bear Creek, a cyclist's bike slipped on some wet leaves, she went flying over her handlebars, and did a face-plant on the asphalt. She was injured, but it could have been a lot worse had she not been wearing a helmet.
• Deer season - Please wear bright colors when using or working on trails, especially in rural areas. Blaze orange is the traditional "I'm not a deer" color, but neon green or other bright colors will work. The archery season started September 14. Gun season begins October 12. All deer seasons end in Newton County on January 12. Some other counties have deer seasons that extend to January 31. To see all Georgia's hunting seasons click here.
• 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. We have been hearing reports of near accidents from both trail users and drivers.

CONSTRUCTION UPDATE

Alcovy River Bridge on the Cricket Frog Trail - Construction is going well. Excellere Construction, LLC has completed the middle span that goes over the river itself. They are currently installing the pre-fabricated steel spans that run from the middle span to solid ground on each end of the bridge. 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. Watch for future updates and announcements arriving in your email or 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!

THREE WAYS TO SUPPORT LOCAL TRAILS BY BUYING A NEWTON TRAILS THEMED SHIRT

There are three options for obtaining Newton Trails' shirts and in the process support local trails. You can learn more at www.newtontrails.org/givingback.

1. Go to Rush Tees & Signs on the Covington Square, pick out a shirt you like, and have them print the Cricket Frog Trail logo on it.
2. Buy a shirt at Newton Trails' online store at bonfire.com/store/newton-trails/.
3. Send an email to info@newtontrails.org saying you want one of our recently designed light green shirts. They display our logo on the front and the Cricket Frog Trail logo on the back.

All three options result in Newton Trails receiving a percentage of the sale price.

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 September 1, 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

General Mills Covington Plant

George Haymons

Mayfield Ace Hardware

META

Newton County

Pratt Industries

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

Animal Medical Clinic

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

Greg and Lisa Hering

Keenan Media

Carol McGiboney

Wendell and Jane Parker

Chip and Jonna West

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

Burge Club

Debra and Rich Griffith

Duane and Sheri Ford

Ginn Motors

Greg and Tamara Richardson

John and Susie Keck

Dalton and Lisa Knox

Jerry Bouchillon

Lowell Chambers and Melanie Sheets

Mark and Lisa Hanson

Michelin Tread Technologies

Miriam Wheeler

Nitro 2 Go

Norris and Francie Little

Oxford College of Emory University

Peach State Construction

Robert Stansfield

COPPER ($500 - $999)

Arnold Fund

Bridgestone Golf

Caroline Buckner

Church of the Good Shepherd

C-Town Bikes

Epic Events and Entertainment

Gary Massey Agency, Inc.

Georgia Unlimited Builders

GWES, Inc.

Greta and Monty deMayo

Hoss Fly Studios

Jan and Craig Hudson

Jeff Klebowski

Juanita Thompson

Judy and Steve Tilmont

Julie and Carter Rogers

Keck & Wood

Lavish Studios

Longleaf Hospice

LRC Promotions

MB Buckner

MG Law

Newton Federal

Peak Steel Contractors

Pete and Gail Carter

Piedmont Healthcare

Rivian

Sarah Higinbotham

Sandy and Betsy Morehouse

Scott Hubbard State Farm Insurance

Sellars Auto Solutions

Specialty Cartridge, Inc

Southern Bicycle League

United Bank

Woodstock Furniture & Mattress Outlet

SUPPORT NEWTON TRAILS BY FOLLOWING THESE LINKS