It has a new name and a new plan, and as they finish Phase I of the project and begin Phase II, the Clarkesville Nature Trail is set to become something community members and visitors will want to experience and enjoy.
The Soque Greenway Trail, formerly known as “The Greenway”, is under the management of the Soque River Watershed Association (SRWA) in partnership with the City of Clarkesville as of May 2024. This 19-acre plot has nearly one mile of walking trail (4,332 feet) with a loop trail of 2,580 feet or 1/2 mile.
Nature-based trail
The uniqueness of the trail is where it is located. Next to Clarkesville Mills and The Village, the trail is inviting and rustic, bordered by the beautiful Soque River. It starts at Grant Street just before one turns into the Mill.
“The whole genesis of the project was to create the first nature-based trail in the area,” says City Councilman Brad Coppedge, President of the SRWA.
“When we were asked to take over the care and management of the trail, all of us on the Board at SRWA felt it was the right thing to do since we helped start the project initially in 2004.”
In Phase I of the project, the SRWA, along with the help of Lowes and countless volunteers, has rebuilt the bridge over Rocky Branch Creek to connect Mary Street where the Pickle Ball Courts, soccer field, and pavilion are. They cut back the foliage which helps to make the trail feel safer and look better. The benches have been replaced with metal ones and new signage has been added.
Heroes project
Jeremy Gattis, manager of Lowes, and many employees have dedicated their time and talents to help remodel the trail. Employees donate their time to projects such as this one through a program called “The Heroes Project.”
“Our CEO has a passion for us to be involved in the community. Lowes will pay our associates 8 hours to go volunteer at their local charity of choice once a year,” Gattis explains.
With 168 employees, Lowes in Cornelia has the potential to make a “huge impact in our communities,” he says.
“Working with Jeremy and all at Lowes has been wonderful,” says Coppedge. “They’ve donated lumber, paint, doggy trashcans, plants, and trees. They’ve also donated their time and energy. We couldn’t have done it without them.”
Coppedge explains as the project moves forward, SRWA will create with the city of Clarkesville and others a concise plan that follows the vision of the original founding group.
The desire is to maintain the area as a nature-based trail with expansions to include trail extensions that would reach the Ingles parking lot in Clarkesville and Sam Pitts Park.
“We have a lot of work ahead of us. The most important being to make sure everyone understands what the trail is about, that it is owned by the city, and that it is for everyone to enjoy,” Coppedge adds.
Renaming ceremony
On October 12, the city of Clarkesville plans to have a ceremony to honor the renaming of the trail for all of the community. Keith Dickerson, City Manager for Clarkesville, is heading up the celebration.
“There will be a 5k run in the morning, a creole boil soup over rice, a classic rock concert, food trucks, beverage trucks, and ice cream trucks,” Coppedge describes. “We plan to also have the annual plant and tree sale that day as well.”
The bridge which was rebuilt over Rocky Branch Creek will be named “Lowes Hero Bridge” in honor of the contribution of the team from Lowes.
“I find it very rewarding to be a part of a company that values and encourages community service,” says Gattis. “I’m fortunate to have a team that shares this passion and looks forward to being involved with our projects by donating their time and expertise. We are already looking for our next project.”
Unique experience
It is an extraordinary time for the people of this community to be a part of something that hasn’t been done before in this area.
The trail will allow residents and visitors to experience the beauty of nature in the heart of the community. There are grant opportunities as well, which several members of the county are diligently working to obtain.
The Soque River is the primary geographic feature in the city of Clarkesville, which borders the north end of the Soque Greenway Trail. Coppedge talks about being on the trail and seeing people – people walking dogs, pushing strollers, running, looking at nature, and simply being together.
Coppedge says, “It was exciting to see because that is what it is all about. The trail is beautiful and unique and maintaining it keeps the river safe and clean too. It all works together.”
