After committing more than $300,000 in recent years to help local communities build portions of the Firefly Trail between Union Point and Athens, Firefly Trail Inc. (FTI) is holding a fundraising campaign to start replenishing the funds it uses to help partner communities build and maintain the trail.

FTI assistance for the cities of Maxeys, Union Point and Woodville has helped these small communities meet local matching requirements for grants through the Recreational Trails Program and Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Program (GOSP). Maxeys and Union Point have also used grants from FTI to add necessities and amenities to their trail segments, such as an enhanced crosswalk across Ga. 44 in Union Point and crosswalks and a water fountain in Maxeys.

“Most recently, funds donated to Firefly Trail Inc., by our supporters have helped make it possible for Greene County, in partnership with Union Point, Woodville and Maxeys, to secure about $2.1 million in GOSP grant funding,” said Mark Ralston, president of FTI. “In addition, we have used about $11,000 in donated funds to promote the passage of two transportation sales tax initiatives in Athens-Clarke County, which will complete the trail in ACC and the City of Winterville.”

The goal for the campaign is $40,000, and donations of any amount are warmly welcomed. Donations can be made online through the “Donate” tab at www.fireflytrail.com, using any major credit card, Google Pay or PayPal. If you prefer to donate by check, please make it payable to “Firefly Trail, Inc.” and mail it to Treasurer, Firefly Trail, Inc., 345 Lyndon Ave., Athens GA 30601. FTI is a 501(c)(3) non-profit with Federal Employer Identification Number 45-1444715.

“Our year-end fundraiser is a great way for our communities to invest in their own future,” said Stephanie Doerr, board member. “Donations support the trail not only for health, safety and enjoyment benefits now, but for generations to come.”

How FTI has used donated funds

Thanks to the continued support of donors, 2022 has been a great year for the Firefly Trail. Since its founding in 2011, Firefly Trail, Inc., has been saving contributions from individuals, businesses, and grantors to use as matching funds for construction of the trail. Most state and federal grants require a match in order to demonstrate local support for the projects they fund. 

The most recent example is the $2.1 million GOSP grant secured by Greene County in 2021 in partnership with Union Point, Woodville, Maxeys and FTI. The state created GOSP in 2018 after 83% of Georgia voters approved an amendment to the Georgia Constitution authorizing the program. GOSP is funded by a small surcharge on recreational equipment sales. It provides a dedicated funding mechanism to support parks and trails, as well as to protect and acquire lands critical to wildlife, clean water, and outdoor recreation across the state. GOSP grants require a 25% local match.

“GOSP is the biggest and best funding mechanism Georgia has ever had dedicated to parks, trails and public lands and waters,” Ralston said. “We are extremely grateful to the state’s voters and leaders for making it a reality. Unfortunately, the 25% match requirement is a huge barrier for small communities with very few residents but several miles of trail.”

During the grant application process, FTI pledged to donate $100,000 to the City of Woodville to help it meet its required match. However, due to pandemic-related supply chain cost increases, the match required for Woodville doubled to $200,000. Because of the long-term commitment of trail supporters over the past 11 years, FTI was well-positioned to increase its donation to $200,000, enough to “draw down” sufficient grant funds to build about 1.6 miles of trail in the most critical areas in the city. However, the increased match means FTI’s reserves for matching funds are now extremely low. 

“Getting a high-quality trail through Woodville is critical to building the whole 7-mile segment from Union Point to the Oglethorpe County line,” said FTI Secretary Mary Cook, retired planning director for Oglethorpe County. “However, doing so will decrease our ability to assist other local communities with their future matches. We are asking for financial support to re-fill our matching funds account.”

Completing the entire 39-mile trail from Union Point to Athens will require several additional major grants, and that means more matching dollars from local communities, she noted.

“As with other rail-trails around the nation, the completed Firefly Trail will bring much-needed economic and health benefits to communities along the route of the trail,” Cook said. “Trails encourage neighbors to come together and build stronger communities. In addition, trails can help attract tourists, businesses and new residents to communities that are growing or want to grow. And it’s important to point out that the communities themselves decide the exact route of the trail and details such as width, trail surface, and what kind of amenities they want to provide.”

A quick look at completed sections of the trail, from south to north:

• Union Point: 0.6 miles of concrete trail from North Rhodes Street to the north side of Union Point Elementary School’s property.

• Maxeys: 1.4 miles from Cherry Street to near the northern city limits

• Winterville: 1.6 miles from near the southern city limits to Moore’s Grove Road in the city’s Five Points business district

• Athens: 2.8 miles from Hancock Road to East Broad Street, excluding a bridge connection near Dudley Park that is under construction.

Fully or partially funded and in acquisition, design or construction:

• Union Point: Bridge over North Rhodes Street (completion date unknown; will require additional funding)

• Greene County (unincorporated): 2.2 miles from Union Point Elementary School to the southern city limits of Woodville, and 0.9 miles from the northern city limits of Woodville to Oglethorpe County. Completion required by August 2023.

• Woodville: 1.4 miles from the southern city limits to Woodville Road, plus some other critical connections. Completion required by August 2023.

• Maxeys: acquisition and grading of the trail from Cherry Street to the southern city limits (surface material, if any, to be determined based on available funds). Completion required by August 2023.

• Crawford and Arnoldsville: corridor studies to help determine the trail’s placement.

• Athens-Clarke County: Construction of the Trail Creek Bridge (“Murmur Trestle”) near Dudley Park, which is expected to be complete before the end of 2023. Also, 3.4 miles from Winterville’s Five Points to Hancock Road, expected to be completed in late 2024.