Concerns With This Project

Concerns With This Project

Revised Jan. 13, 2008 based on trail plans dated 1/8/08

1. The proposed route of this PATH project goes through old-growth forest. Many mature trees will be lost in this project. Trees are an extremely valuable resource in alleviating the effects of global warming and urban air pollution. The Atlanta area is loosing an immense number of trees every day. Why should we add to this destruction of our environment? See the picture on the home page for the type of woodlands that will be destroyed.

2. The proposed route goes through the Decatur Waterworks ruins which were listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2006. The route includes the existing stone bridge which was built in the horse and buggy era around 1906. Can this bridge support concrete trucks?

Note: The trail plans presented to the County on Jan. 9, 2008 show the trail starting at the East end of the stone bridge. The trail as presented does not cross the bridge or go through the Waterworks. The currently shown end of the trail is approximately 450' from the nearest paved access.

3. The proposed route includes areas with very steep grades which will result in much cutting and filling required to put in the type of roadway PATH envisions. In the picture on the home page imagine how much of the hill will have to be cut away to accommodate the roadway. Also imagine the exposed red clay embankment that will be left after the road is built. (see the Silver Comet picture)

Note: The trail plans presented to the County on Jan. 9, 2008 show this portion of the trail to be raised boardwalk.

4. There will be grades along the trail that will be much too steep for the use of wheelchairs, making handicap access improbable if not impossible. Also, CSX has not given approval for any type of crossing of their rail line which further limits the types of vehicles that can use the trail.

5. The park trails are already receiving heavy use. Most of these people in the woods are using the trails because it is such a beautiful and natural environment. The existing trails do not detract from the experience of being in the woods. Most of these people are not going to find the idea of exploring the woods on a concrete trail to be very attractive. In fact, I think they will be aghast at the total incongruity of a concrete road through these beautiful woods.

6. If the trail actually accomplishes the goal of increasing usage of the park area, the increase in traffic and the unavailability of parking is going to be a problem for residents near the trail ends.

Note: The trail plans presented to the County on Jan. 9, 2008 show the trail extended into Medlock Park to the existing parking area. For the West end of the trail the nearest parking area is 450' from the end of the trail.

7. The use of eminent domain to take land for this project is unconscionable. One landowner is in litigation to prevent the county from taking his property. This litigation increases the cost of the project to the county and may result in the trail not reaching it's planned endpoint. (see The Top Ten Myths About SPCT)

8. The new trail will give easy access to the backs of many houses in the area. While access is possible now, it is an arduous trip. Most thieves tend to go where the pickings are easy. A concrete road/boardwalk will make our houses easy targets for would-be thieves.

9. PATH has a poor record of listening to neighborhood concerns and a history of questionable truthfulness in dealing with dissent. (see the Tanyard Creek article and the Peachtree Battle article)

10. The trail was originally conceived as a way to ease congestion on local roads. Now that all other sections of the trail have been killed, this particular section can not possibly accomplish this goal.

Note: This is especially true now that the West end of the trail stops some 450' from the nearest parking area.

11. A Master Plan for the development of Mason Mill Park was adopted by Dekalb County in 1988. Very little, if any, of this plan has actually been accomplished. The PATH trail is not part of the adopted Master Plan. The county funds required for the PATH trail would be better spent on improvements that have already been approved.

12. This project has been planned without the benefit of community input or support.

13. A report by the Georgia Forestry Commission details the type of trees in the area and makes a strong case for the negative impact the proposed trail would have on the forest.

14. A report by the Georgia Wildlife Federation details the negative impact of the proposed trail on the wildlife in the forest.