Sugar Hill Greenway
The paved trail in the segment of trail just north of Gwinnett Church between Peachtree Industrial and Level Creek Road was opened on June 1. This completes an almost 3 mile long section from the corner of Church and West Broad Streets to Level Creek Rd across from the new Gold Mine Park. Tri Scapes has poured the deck of Bridge #2 and is working to install the boardwalks connecting it to the rest of the trail. This bridge is the longest on the project at 120 feet in length and spans Level Creek’s floodway. The boardwalks are being readied for installation leading up to this bridge as well, and the segment closer to Gold Mine Park is in place and the approaches will be installed soon. Many of the project’s natural segments follow the old Georgia DOT right-of-way for the outer perimeter project and take visitors through many of the most scenic places in the city. A pedestrian crossing signal proposed for the Level Creek Road crossing near the back entrance to Gwinnett Church (just south/west of Markim Forest subdivision) will be activated once the trail is closer to completion and the county approves the installation. The Bethany Church parking area and trail section under Whitehead Road are well under way and nearing completion.
Greenway Trail Bridge No. 2
Greenway boardwalk #6
Bethany Church trail head
The contract for signage on the trail has been let and design is under construction now. The Friends of the Greenway are assisting with selections and are very excited to be involved with the project. It will consist of pylon signs, maps, mileage markers and location information signs. Some solar lighting will be incorporated at strategic intersections.
The Sugar Hill greenway trail is a transformative investment in greenspace, alternative transportation and recreation opportunity. The benefits of the trail have been described in terms of economics by way of improved property values, health effects by way of improved activity levels, environmental protections by highlighting the natural environment encircling the city, and traffic demand reductions by decreasing reliance on automobile trips (to recreation, restaurant and shopping destinations). Reference Sugar Hill’s greenway trail master plan website for more information about this and future phases. www.sugarhillgreenway.com
Project Highlights
- The trail was envisioned in 2014, with the first trail segment completed in 2018 along Peachtree Industrial Boulevard.
- The greenway is comprised of 11.5- linear miles of greenspace and will be connected by nearly 16 miles of walking and biking trail sewing together key destinations/nodes in the city.
- The trail will be 10 to 12 feet in width and be paved with concrete along roadways and asphalt in natural areas.
- The first phase connects downtown with (3) three parks and (2) trail head parking lots clockwise from downtown to Gwinnett Church and westward to Whitehead Road.
- The entire trail is expected to cost about $17 – $20 million by the time future phases are constructed.
- Most of the first phase is constructed with SPLOST (voluntary sales tax dollars) funds.
- Phase 1 (5 miles) anticipated completion date – Q1, 2022.
The TSI contract will encompass about 4 and a half miles of trail construction, beginning at the intersection of Level Creek Road and Church Street and extending both along roadways and through natural areas to Whitehead Road, temporarily ending at a trailhead parking lot at the Bethany UMC Church located at 144 Whitehead Road near the new bridge.
Gold Mine Park. TriScapes (TSI) was awarded the contract and is making progress on the small (2.4AC with 7 acres of greenspace), but important park. The restroom building is the only structure on the project and was delivered a number of months ago. Utility connections have also been made to serve the building. The asphalt base and trail section from Level Creek Rd to the building with grading being finalized at the rear of the park.
The park serves as a trailhead on the city’s greenway and offers a chance for guests to learn more about the city’s gold mining history. The park will have some 50 parking spaces, a restroom, bicycle racks, and information about the cultural and historical significance of the area.
E Center Event Space. The city’s contractor on the E Center Event Space & Conference Room, Barnsley Construction nearing the finish line with interior finishes, fixtures and glass installed. Railings were installed and painted on the outside deck and signage is being manufactured now.
The space will consist of two areas that can be used for classes, meetings or events. These areas can be rented by HOAs, businesses or individuals.
The contractor, Barnsley Group, is working diligently to deliver a completed project by the middle of July, 2022.
Ridge Lake Park. The 22 acres that the City owns on Highway 20 will become a new passive park. Consisting of a parking area, rest room building with covered seating area, a dog park, pond improvements and trails; it will be the newest place to relax and unwind. A kickoff meeting with the Designer, the Contractor and City Staff was held last week and will be working together to bring you a GMP soon. Many of the amenities in the park were suggested by the public during open houses that we held in 2017 and 2018.
Community Garden Pavillion. Construction is nearing completion by our own Public Works Department. It consists of a concrete pad with a pavilion cover for meetings, education and events.
Gary Pirkle Park Restroom Building. Design is well underway on a restroom building to serve the new fields on the South side of the park. They will incorporate 7 unisex stalls and a water bottle filling station. We will advertise for a construction partner when the design is finished.
