Sandersville City Council voted at their Monday, March 15 meeting to provide funding for a comprehensive plan for the proposed Georgia Hi-Lo Trail.
Georgia Hi-Lo Trail Executive Director Mary Charles Howard explained at a previous City Council meeting that the Georgia Hi-Lo Trail’s goal is to establish a paved multi-use trail for use by locals and tourists for bicycling, walking, running for all abilities.
The Georgia Hi-Lo Trail would stretch from Union Point to Savannah, traveling approximately 211 paved miles. The proposed Georgia Hi-Lo Trail would run through eight counties, including Greene, Hancock, Washington, Johnson, Emanuel, Bulloch, Effingham, and Chatham counties.
“It’s an ambitious plan, but it’s a beautiful plan,” said Sandersville Mayor Pro-Tem Jeffery Smith during the March 1 Sandersville City Council meeting.
During her presentation to the Sandersville City Council, Executive Director Howard explained that the cost for the Comprehensive Master Plan for the proposed 211-mile trail is $120,000. That total would be shared among the cities and counties involved in the Georgia Hi-Lo Trail, as well as with private partnerships.
The City of Sandersville’s contribution towards the project is $1,625.
“The City of Sandersville supports the concept of the Georgia Hi-Lo Trail,” said Sandersville Mayor Jimmy Andrews. He added, “Living in Sandersville we enjoy an exceptional quality of life with a low crime rate, excellent fire protection, a clean environment, and outstanding educational and recreational opportunities that would be enhanced with the addition of the Georgia Hi-Lo Trail.”
The Georgia Hi-Lo Trail Board of Directors includes: President Mitch Sheppard, Executive Director Mary Charles Howard, Vice President Bobby Jackson, Secretary Jesse Lindsley, Board member Glenn Newsome, and Board member Joseph Sumner.