HUNTSVILLE – Sweet Trails Alabama, alongside the Singing River Trail and Jacksonville State University, recently concluded a five-day, eleven-stop statewide Swing Around the State Tour aiming to identify local, regional, and statewide trail projects while collecting valuable insights from communities across the state.
The initiative is a crucial step toward building a network of outdoor trails throughout Alabama, connecting communities and creating a better quality of life for Alabama residents. Hundreds of Alabamians from diverse communities came together during the tour to support the idea of a statewide trail route.
“The initial five-day tour provided us with a wealth of insights that we will use to craft the trail route plan,” said John Kvach, Executive Director of the Singing River Trail. “With the support of our communities, we can create a trail network that connects every corner of Alabama. We are encouraging the people of Alabama to dream big!”
State Senator Andrew Jones, District 10, was a key sponsor of SB298, which established the Sweet Trails Alabama Project Fund. Senator Jones joined the tour and spoke about how this initiative will strengthen community bonds and create more opportunities throughout Alabama.
The tour, which made stops in Huntsville, Florence, Tuscaloosa, Selma, Atmore, Mobile, Orange Beach, Dothan, Montgomery, Birmingham, and Jacksonville, was made possible by a $25,000 donation from the Alabama Association of Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) Councils. These Alabama RC&D Councils are made up of volunteers who identify the unmet needs in their communities and create solutions across Alabama.
Sweet Trails Alabama is now working with Alta Planning + Design to map out a comprehensive statewide trail route plan. They are engaging with individuals and communities throughout Alabama to compile data on all 67 counties to develop a playbook promoting connectivity across the state. Future meetings are planned for the winter, spring, and summer.
Sweet Trails Alabama is inviting the public to shape the future of this project. By filling out a survey online, residents can provide their preferences to help guide the planning and development of the trail network.
Click here to complete the survey. For more information, visit www.sweettrailsalabama.org.
Media Release/John F. Kvach, Ph.D./Singing River Trail Executive Director
