A scoping study is a preliminary study to explore if there are possible ways of developing a project effectively. Usually, scoping studies involve a first pass at understanding existing conditions, identifying constraints, assessing feasibility, and estimating future project requirements. This includes identifying potential alternatives for advancing the project, studying the pros and cons of those alternatives, and estimating possible costs at a preliminary level.

The study is funded through funds that Cobb County received from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA).

The study schedule proposes to have a draft concept report for a preferred greenway alternative alignment by the first half of 2026. Additional schedule milestones include the submission of a draft concept by early 2026, and the submission of potential alignment alternatives by late 2025.

No! This is merely a scoping study that is looking at the feasibility of a potential Allatoona Creek Greenway sometime in the future (should the project be found to be feasible, and funding identified).

No. As this is merely a scoping study, no right-of-way or easements will be needed during this phase of the project (as nothing is funded to be built as part of this study). While a preferred alignment will be suggested as part of this study, project funding would need to be identified and design finalized prior to any right-of-way or easements being necessary. The project team is exploring opportunities to utilize existing public property or utility easements to minimize private property impacts.

As this project is just a scoping study, no additional parking will be built as a result of this effort. Should a proposed trail be found to be feasible, additional parking needs will be assessed and brought back to the public for potential feedback once a preferred alignment is identified. Separate from this study, there are plans for two proposed parking lots to be constructed for Kemp Park and Allatoona Creek Park.

There is no data or studies that suggest that proximity to greenways or trails increases property or violent crime. On the contrary, the University of Tennessee recently released a study on the Knoxville Urban Wilderness Trail showing that proximity to greenways generates economic benefits, increased health benefits, and does not increase crime.

In addition, should funding be identified and a trail constructed, various safety countermeasures that could be included as part of the project (cameras, lighting, access management, etc.) could actually work to increase area safety. For example, Cobb County already has an established Emergency Location Marker (ELM) program to provide trail markers every quarter-mile on Cobb County’s trail system. They use US. National Grid alphanumeric coordinates to assist emergency responders to get to locations where physical addresses may not exist. As of June 2023, there were over 1,000 ELMs on trails throughout the county.

Greenways and recreational trails have been found to be community amenities that help attract investment and spur economic development. Studies have also shown that trails help those who live near to them live healthier lives.

The positive impact that trails and greenspace have on crime rates is a trend that has been shown to extend into the Atlanta Metropolitan Area as well. For example, statistical analyses of both property and violent crimes within Atlanta have shown that “there appears to be a lower rate of criminal activity associated with [proximity to] parks and trails”.

Greenways and trails can be designed to reduce stormwater runoff and flooding. Using green infrastructure techniques and strategic plantings that promote natural filtration, and by the targeted channeling of water to creeks and wetlands rather than homes and yards, infrastructure projects such as greenways and trails can be useful tools in mitigating flooding concerns. The project team is aware of the flooding concerns around Allatoona Creek. If any proposed trail is found to be feasible, it would adhere to all local and federal flood management requirements; and may serve as a flood mitigation tool itself (by incorporating the mitigatory techniques mentioned above).

Per Cobb County policy, motorized vehicles would not be permitted on any proposed trail (if one is found to be feasible and is eventually constructed). While greenways are designed to be multi-use trails, those are only for non-motorized modes (e.g., biking, walking, strollers, etc.). Additional information on permitted travel modes on Cobb County trails can be found in the Cobb County Greenways & Trails Master Plan (2018).

The project team is determining the feasibility and reasonableness of several potential alignments, including some along existing roadways. The public will have the chance to review and comment on several proposed alignments during future engagement efforts.

Study updates are provided regularly on the project’s website – where engagement tools are also provided that allow those who may be interested to provide comments on any aspect of the project that they desire. If there are questions or concerns not addressed here (or elsewhere on the website), contact the County’s point of contact for the study (Kelsey Vizzard) at DOTPlanning@CobbCounty.gov.