Woodstock Pledges Funds To Help Build Trail

The city of Woodstock has signed on to help the completion of the Taylor Randahl Memorial Bike Trails at Olde Rope Mill Park.

The council voted unanimously to approve matching up to $40,000 in impact fees, which would be given towards SORBA Woodstock and Greenprints Alliance's campaign to build the Fierce Loop at the trail.

The funds would come from impact fees and the land, which is already being leased by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, also counts towards the acreage requirement of land in the city's impact fee ordinance.

The Fierce Loop would encompass 3.5 miles built on the north side of Little River and is the final installment of mountain bike trails at Olde Rope Mill Park. Interim Community Development Director Brian Stockton said over 4,000 volunteer hours have been logged at the trail. Along with the Fierce Loop, the Taylor Randahl trails include a beginner 2.5 mile Explorer Trail and an intermediate 6.25 mile Avalanche Trail.

SORBA Woodstock is in the midst of putting together details on its fundraising campaign to build the trail, President Jay Wilkes announced on the group's Facebook page. Wilkes noted the organization had $75,000 left to raise to build the trail and called on local businesses to consider contributing towards the trail network's construction.

In other business, the council also approved a request for the city to order street lights to accompany the Woodstock Parkway relocation and Ridgewalk Parkway improvements.

The city will purchase streetlights for Woodstock Parkway and for the first and second phase of Ridgewalk Parkway improvements, which are estimated to cost $189,120. The city also approved staff purchasing lights for phase three of Ridgewalk improvements, which will cost $135,000.

Ridgewalk Parkway is slated to be widened between its intersection with new Outlet Shoppes at Atlanta entrance and Ridge Trail. Woodstock Parkway is being relocated to shift to the right of the outlet mall and will intersect with Ridgewalk Parkway. The original Woodstock Parkway will serve as the entrance into the development. 

The council met in executive session to discuss real estate, litigation and personnel, but took no action upon returning. Council members Bud Leonard and Randy Brewer were absent.