Joint Coastal Study Committee recommends construction of Coastal Georgia Greenway

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The Joint House Senate Study Committee on the Coastal Georgia Greenway has issued a report recommending construction of a 450-mile system of trails in coastal Georgia.

“Recognizing the economic, health, recreational and environmental benefits of the Coastal Georgia Greenway, the Committee recommends its implementation and construction in four phases over the next ten years, beginning in St. Mary’s and ending in Savannah.”

The report also recommends the Coastal Regional Commission oversee the implementation of the greenway, and identified annual appropriations as the primary funding mechanism. In addition, “State governmental authorities should work with local governments to secure funding from public and private sources” the report stated.

The committee, co-chaired by Rep. Ron Stephens of Savannah and Sen. William Ligon of Brunswick, held public meetings in Richmond Hill and Darien, where business leaders, elected officials and citizens expressed overwhelming enthusiasm for the project.

Please consider contacted your representatives to let them know you support the Coastal Georgia Greenway. Download the report.

Second Coastal Georgia Greenway Joint Study Committee meeting set for Nov. 4

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The next meeting of the Joint House-Senate Coastal Greenway Study Committee has been scheduled for Nov. 4 at 1 p.m. at the Coastal Regional Commission office at 1181 Coastal Drive SW, in Darien. The public is invited to attend and provide input on the greenway.
The committee is charged with studying the conditions, needs, issues, and problems related to Coastal Georgia Greenway construction and to recommend any action or legislation, which the committee deems necessary or appropriate to be presented for action by the Georgia Legislature in 2016.
Read about the committee’s first meeting, held in Richmond Hill in September, in Connect Savannah: Greenway deserves the green light.

Coastal Georgia Greeway hosts Island Hopper Cycling Tour, March 25-28

Father & son. Photo-Jekyll Island Authority
The Coastal Georgia Greenway offers a rare opportunity to experience Jekyll, St. Simons and Sapelo islands from the invigorating perspective of riding a bike. The Island Hopper Cycling Tour takes place March 25 – 28 and “beginners are welcome,” according to Jo Hickson, executive director of Coastal Georgia Greenway.  Her group is dedicated to building community support to eventually build a 155-mile walking and biking trail connecting South Carolina to Florida through the Georgia coast.

“We want people to visualize what a connected trail network can look like here.  Though we’ll cover 100 miles in four days, the pace is definitely relaxed,” Hickson said.

The $600 fee includes meals, lodging, ferry rides, guest speakers and guided visits to historic and natural sites along the route.  The deadline to register is Feb. 10. Visit the cycle tour page for registration and additional information or call  Jo Hickson at 912-236-2225.