DNR grant will improve popular Silver Comet Trail

The City of Cedartown was awarded $134,505 in grant funding from the Georgia Department of Natural Resources Recreational Trails Program.

The funds will be used to replace two bridges along the heavily-traveled 61.5 mile trail. Rehabilitation of existing trail infrastructure will also be included in the scope of work. The grant funding will provide additional signage along the trail and provide for paving of the Martin Trailhead parking lot as well.

The Silver Comet is a paved pedestrian rail-trail and travels through Cobb, Paulding, and Polk counties. This quiet, non-motorized trail is for walkers, hikers, bicyclists, rollerbladers, horses, dog walkers, and is mostly wheelchair accessible.

Turner Street Community Center set for rebuild in 2023

The existing Turner Street Community Center will be replaced in 2023 with an all new structure.

Designed by Rome-based architectural firm CEVIAN Design Lab, the new facility will have a much bigger footprint and include restrooms, storage, and a new kitchen. The kitchen will feature a roll-up window for ease of serving food and outdoor gathering space.

The proposed design would compliment the context of the neighborhood and create a large meeting space for events and gatherings.

Locally, the trail sees thousands of visitors annually.

“The Silver Comet Trail has not only provided our citizens with a place for recreational activities, but has brought thousands of visitors into our city throughout the years of its existence,” said Andrew Carter, Cedartown City Commission Chair.

“Many thanks to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources and the Recreational Trails Program for providing this vital funding so that our community and visitors alike can enjoy this asset for years to come.”

The Recreational Trails Program seeks to support communities in developing recreational trails and trailrelated facilities for both nonmotorized & motorized outdoor recreation. RTP funds come from the Federal Highway Trust Fund & represent an estimate of the motor fuel excise tax collected from off-highway recreational use. The Georgia Department of Natural Resources conducts biannual grant application cycles for RTP funds. The 14 awardees, including Cedartown, were selected from 33 project proposals requesting $5.2 million.

The historic Cedartown Woman’s Building received an interior and exterior makeover in 2022. The facility was built in 1935 of cobblestone and designed by Odis Clay Poundstone. It is of the Colonial Revival style. The building is used currently for social events and is available for rental by the general public. Donnie Jarrell’s display for the Holloway Hunny Pot Festival was the first event held inside the newly remodeled facility.