ALBANY, Ga. (WALB) — The city is looking to possibly extend the Albany Riverfront Trail, but some people who use it say there are things that could make the current trail safer.

Safety concerns from trail users

One community member said he visits the trail before sunrise and has concerns about safety.

“For me, as a man, I get down here sometime before the sun come up, and I’m like, ‘what if an alligator come out, or a snake, or anything?’ You know what I mean? So, sometimes, I’ll wait a little later, and then come out where I can see more,” said Travis Luke.

WALB asked for opinions about the trail, and many people commented the same concern, adding they would like to see some of the brush cleared to see the river more.

Ward 2 City Commissioner Willie Weaver said the city is working on the issue. He provided an email thread showing the matter was discussed by the commission. He said he would like more patrol on the trail and is concerned about the homeless population.

“Do a routine run through the park, either on bicycle or four-wheelers, to show a presence and to make sure people who don’t need to be on the trail are not on the trail,” Weaver said. “We’re working on it. We honestly are. And as I was coming down here, I saw a lot of homeless folks in the park—under the tree and walking the path. So, we’ve got to fix that some kind of way.”

City weighs extension routes

The city is planning to extend the Riverfront Trail to Chehaw Park, weighing a cheaper south-side route against a safer, more expensive north-side option under the bridge.

Commissioners are set to vote Tuesday, Aug. 25, on which route to submit for the Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Program, a state grant that funds local parks, trails and conservation efforts.

The city’s local match would be about $500,000 for the south route or $1 million for the north route. The city could get up to $3 million through the stewardship program.

Planning and Development Director Paul Forgey said the north route could make the city’s application more competitive.

“What it’s trying to do is to educate people about outdoors. So, giving them the opportunity to basically go under a bridge, right over the river, and provide educational material about what you’re looking at—what the ecosystem does for the community—would help spread information about the importance of the river, and the floodplain, and the habitat there,” said Forgey.

Grant requirements

The grant would not provide money specifically for safety features on the existing Riverfront Trail. It does require the city to develop additional safety plans for the new extension.

At the City Commission meeting on Tuesday, leaders are expected to vote on whether or not to apply for the grant and on which route to pursue.

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