New phase extends trail by 2.8 miles

The newest phase of Forsyth County’s Big Creek Greenway is now open for use. The new stretch of the popular multi-use trail, referred to as Phase 4, extends the Greenway by approximately 2.8 miles. This results in a total trail length of approximately 9.6 miles.

The new phase begins at the Bethelview Road trailhead and generally runs northward along Big Creek, then runs parallel to Kelly Mill Road and ends at Johnson Road. The project was funded by the Parks, Recreation and Green Space Bond approved by voters in 2008.

“The Big Creek Greenway in Forsyth County is a very popular amenity, and we are excited to open up this new phase for use,” said Director of Parks & Recreation Jim Pryor. “We are sincerely appreciative of the voters’ support in 2008 of the Parks, Recreation and Green Space Bond that made this new section of the trail possible.”

District 3 Commissioner Todd Levent, in whose district the new trail section is located, commented on the topography of the new phase.

“In some areas of the new phase, due to the lay of the land on which we needed to build, there is a bit of a slope or incline,” said Levent. “I have heard from some constituents that this will be welcomed from the perspective of providing a greater workout challenge. I have also heard from some constituents who had some concerns about the incline. To that end, we are considering the possibility of adding a spur in this area in the future that could potentially provide an alternative for those looking for a more family friendly route.”

Due to the Bethelview Road bridge widening work currently in progress, those utilizing the newly-opened section of the Greenway will notice a temporary segment of the trail in the area of the bridge construction work. In this area, the trail narrows from its typical 12-foot width to about 8 feet wide, with an overhead clearance of approximately nine to 10 feet. This temporary section is expected to remain in use for approximately two years, for the duration of the bridge construction. Trail users are asked to exercise caution in this area.

About the Big Creek Greenway in Forsyth County

The Big Creek Greenway is a 12-foot-wide multi-use trail offering an ideal setting for walking, jogging, biking and inline skating. Phases 1, 2 and 3 of the Greenway opened in 2009. With the opening of the new Phase 4, the trail now spans from McFarland Parkway to the intersection of Kelly Mill Road and Johnson Road. Plans are in progress for a future Phase 5 that will extend the trail from the end of Phase 4 to Sawnee Mountain Preserve.

Two sections of the Big Creek Greenway multi-use trail in Forsyth County are temporarily closed and are expected to reopen by August 31. The segment between the McFarland Parkway and the Union Hill Road trailheads, from mile maker 1.3 to mile marker 1.4, is closed due to the widening project on GA 400. A renovation project on a portion of Phase 1 of the Big Creek Greenway is underway, resulting in the temporary closure from the Union Hill Road trailhead extending north approximately ½ mile to mile maker 0.4. All four of the Big Creek Greenway trailheads (listed below) will remain open throughout these closures.

Big Creek Greenway Access Points

5120 Bethelview Road – parking and bathrooms
4110 Carolene Way at Fowler Park – parking and bathrooms (follow the signs inside the park)
McFarland Parkway east of GA 400 – parking for approximately 50 vehicles and portable bathrooms
5259 Union Hill Road – parking for approximately 25 vehicles and bathrooms

Big Creek Greenway Hours

March through October – 6 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
November through February – 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.

For more information about the Big Creek Greenway and Forsyth County Parks & Recreation, visit www.forsythco.com/parks.