MTB Atlanta to utilize award to construct 24 Miles of new Multi-use Trail and new Hard Surface Pump Track
(ATLANTA, Georgia, November 23, 2022) — The Chestnut Family Foundation has awarded the Southern Off Road Bicycle Association, Atlanta Chapter (MTB Atlanta) $1,008,535 to be utilized for the construction of 24 new miles of multi-use trails and the development of a new hard surface pump track. Eight parks across Metro Atlanta will benefit from the award. The award is one of the largest gifts awarded by a single donor in the history of the Southern Off-Road Bicycle Association for new trail construction.
“This award will assist MTB Atlanta in our mission to meet the demand for building new multi-use soft surface trails for mountain biking and passive outdoor recreation in the Metro Atlanta region,” Brett Davidson, Executive Director of MTB Atlanta said. “We are so thankful to the Chestnut Family Foundation for this award. Their support of our mission is greatly appreciated and will benefit mountain bikers, hikers and trail runners across Metro Atlanta. The demand for multi-use trails in Atlanta is at an all-time high in the wake of the Covid19 pandemic and the commitment made by the Chestnut Family Foundation has moved every shovel ready project we have in development into construction. All of these shovel ready projects have been brought to existence and are “half-way there” because of the sweat equity of MTB Atlanta volunteers and public grant awards. This single donation will move all of these projects to completion and the award will make a huge impact on the landscape of mountain biking and outdoor recreation in Metro Atlanta for generations to come.”
The Chestnut Family Foundation Award will fund MTB Atlanta’s professional trail building program and crew, MTB Atlanta Pro Trails, who will manage projects and construct new trails in Cobb, Coweta, Carroll, Troup, Fulton, Spalding and Rockdale Counties.
Philip Darden, Executive Director of the Southern Off Road Bicycle Association (SORBA) noted, “This generous donation from The Chestnut Family Foundation to MTB Atlanta will be a game changer for natural surface trails in the Metro-Atlanta area. With improvements spanning multiple locations across the city, more and more residents will be able to get outside and enjoy trails right in the neighborhoods where they live. And as one of the largest gifts in SORBA history, it shows the value that MTB Atlanta, as well as our other 46 chapters across the southeast, bring to their communities. My hope is that the trend continues, and we see similar strong investments in our chapters, both in Atlanta and beyond. Thank you to the Chestnut Family Foundation for your support to help change the landscape of natural surface trails in Atlanta!”
MTB Atlanta will develop 2.25 miles of new trail at Quarry’s Edge Park in Spalding County. The trail will feature a “Back country” feel with options skills features built in. Construction is expected to begin in December 2022.
In partnership with the Southeastern Trust for Parks and Land, the Georgia Cycling Association (GCA) and Bearings Bike Works, MTB Atlanta will develop the Butner Road Training Facility in Fulton County. A core loop trail and three practice skills loops will be constructed totaling approximately 3 miles. The trail system is designed for session and lap riding and will be utilized by GCA Coaches and Teams for training purposes. The park will also be open to the public. Construction to begin in January of 2023.
MTB Atlanta to develop the Allatoona Creek Wildcat Trail Phase 2 in Cobb County including 3.68 miles of hybrid flow trail. The Wildcat Trail will round out the total mileage of Allatoona Creek Park to 40 miles. The addition to Allatoona Creek will make the park the largest trail system in Metro Atlanta. Construction to begin winter of 2023. MTB Atlanta will manage the construction of a Velosolutions pump track at Pitner Road Park in Cobb County, which will be the first in the State of Georgia. Construction will begin upon completion of the design of the new facility.
Chattahoochee Bend State Park in Coweta County to have 3.11 Miles of Intermediate Hybrid Flow Trail constructed by MTB Atlanta. The new trail will complement 2.3 miles of new beginner trail completed by MTB Atlanta in 2021. Construction to begin in the spring of 2023.
MTB Atlanta to redevelop the Lakeside Trails Hak and Yak Expert trail at Westpoint Lake in Troup County. Construction of 2.2 miles of new bike optimized expert hybrid flow trail will be completed in the Summer of 2023. This redevelopment of Hak and Yak will restore the Lakeside Trails System to 11 miles of total trail and will drive new visitation to the system.
Moore’s Bridge Park in Carroll County to be expanded. MTB Atlanta to build in 5.75 Miles of new trail including a 1mile Beginner Trail, the 2.16 mile Snake Creek bike optimized Hybrid Flow Trail, and a 2.45 mile Horace King Expert Trail. The expansion of Moore’s Bridge will be added to 6.3 miles of existing trail bringing the trail system to 11-12 miles. Construction to begin September 2023.
MTB Atlanta to expand the trail system at South Rockdale Park in Rockdale County. An additional 3.93 miles of trail to be constructed including the DeCastro Connector, De Castro North Expert and De Castro South Intermediate Trails. This will complete all trails in the current plan and will bring total mileage to approximately 9 miles. Construction to begin December, 2023.
About MTB Atlanta: MTB Atlanta manages a trail network of more 160 miles of trails in 29 different parks across Metro Atlanta area. The organization partners with the National Parks Service, US Army Corps of Engineers, Georgia State Parks, and multiple municipalities and counties in the Metro Atlanta area. MTB Atlanta is a membership bases non-profit organization of 450+ members across the metro region. The organization has most recently merged West Georgia SORBA and Gwinnett SORBA under the MTB Atlanta organization. MTB Atlanta has successfully raised more than $1 Million in 2022 through grants, fundraising, memberships and foundation awards.
About the Chestnut Family Foundation: The Chestnut Family Foundation was founded in 2017 by Teresa and Ben Chestnut. The Foundation partners with organizations in Georgia that have demonstrated compassion and creativity in their efforts to improve the lives of children. The Foundation works with small and medium sized organizations with deep community knowledge, dynamic leadership, and an entrepreneurial spirit with a bias toward access.
