Cleveland and White County officials held a public information meeting Thursday night to give residents an opportunity to see the latest version of the Bicycle, Pedestrian, and Paddle Plan for the area.
Those attending the information session at the White County Senior Center were able to review a 48-page document of the plan as well as maps of the proposed recreation ideas.
The latest version of the plan represents an update of an original plan developed in 2011, created to reflect the latest conditions and resources available to the communities, as well as revising select goals and opportunities.
Officials say the plan will serve as a guide for each local government and partnering agencies, helping to ensure coordination, resource maximization, and the highest degree of connectivity possible for all of White County.
The Georgia Mountains Regional Commission assisted in the development of the plan and Joe Rothwell, Regional Planner with GMRC said they appreciated all the community input.
“This is a culmination of more than two years of work working off the 2011 [plan], creating a series of bike pad waterway network ideas to better the county to better the cities and create opportunities for growth and recreation,” said Rothwell.
He added, “We will continue to work on this and take feedback.”
In addition to those attending in person, organizers accepted online input and Rothwell said residents from Cleveland, Sautee Nacoochee, Helen, and White County participated. The goals that were presented during the meeting were based on public input and helped provide a vision for future bicycle and pedestrian networking.
Those unable to attend the information session can still provide input by reaching out to him at the Georgia Mountain Regional Commission or Cleveland and White County officials.
“It’s a living document. If they take a look at the draft, see something we missed, see something they would like to suggest, most definitely reach out to us so that we can make sure that it is as great a plan as it can be.”
Click here to view White County’s Bicycle, Pedestrian, & Paddle Plan
