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constructed between the canal and the river particularly exciting. “We had a trail development management plan done for us, and they’re recommending eight to 10 miles of mountain bike/nature trails,” Foster says. “That’s going to make us a destination if we have sort of a mini FATS in an urban setting.” Another project is an upgraded entrance near Lake Olmsted. “We’re working on another project right now on the other side of the canal at the back end of Lake Olmsted by where the Humane Society is,” he says. “We’re going to add some additional parking there, because there’s really no place to park.” There is also a new gateway at Riverlook Drive that will provide public access at the end of the Riverlook Drive culde-sac. This $165,000 project will replace the Eisenhower Park
access point. It includes a parking area for approximately 43 vehicles and it will look similar to the Goodrich Street/Levee Road entrance at the east side of the pumping station. Also, Sherrouse plans for another section of trail heading inland along the third level of the canal running by the judicial center. “We’ve got that under design now and we’re hoping to get that out for bid later this summer,” he says. “We’ve already got a grant approved for it, so we’re just getting the design done on it. Hopefully, we can get that out for bid toward the end of the summer.” In addition to the new trail sections, Sherrouse also says existing sections of trail will receive improvements. “Basically, from the pumping station all the way back up to the headgates in Columbia County will stay natural,” he says. “It’s been a historic trail there, and folks don’t want it paved. But the in-town portions of it will be gradually paved, even
the ones that are there now.” The section currently under construction will be built out of concrete rather than asphalt because of the durability factor and the fact that, due to its remoteness, getting repair equipment back in there promises to be difficult. “It’s more expensive on the front end to do it in concrete, but you can cut down on your long-term maintenance,” Sherrouse says. Eventually, the trail will be a uniting factor for several communities. “The nice thing about this — we’re kind of the middle, but you can actually then go across 13th Street and get to the greeneway system in North Augusta, and up in Columbia County, they’re extending the trail out Evans to Locks Road toward Evans Town Center.”
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18APRIL2013