DCA’s PlanFirst program recognizes and rewards Georgia communities that clearly demonstrate an established pattern of successfully implementing their Local Comprehensive Plan. Our PlanFirst “Success Story” series highlights these cities and counties by sharing their incredible achievements.
Within the 2019 Comprehensive Plan’s Community Work Program, the City of Dublin decided to include the construction of a walking trail that connected hotels at the US 411 and I-16 interchange to the Oconee Fall Line Technical College Campus (OFTC).
The project began in late 2020 and was a collaboration between the City of Dublin, Visit Dublin GA, Laurens County, and OFTC. As a result of beginning construction on the connecting trail, Visit Dublin GA was able to win contracts to host several large, upcoming conventions to be held at OFTC’s DuBose Porter Conference Center. As the project was completed in January 2021, the trail has been proven vital to conference planners.
The project cost a total of $33,250 which includes materials supplied by the city that totaled $23,000 and over 200 hours of work from the city and county. With that, more phases are being considered such as adding benches, signage, and additional lighting.
Alongside full support by city officials, the mayor, and the council, there was an understanding of how connectivity and placemaking can impact the community while fostering tourism efforts and economic development. In addition to past projects, such as the Martin Luther King Jr, Park Gateway and the Jackson Plaza, the walking trail showcases a commitment to leadership.
Not only is the walking trail an example of how collaboration can help complete goals but how tourism, connectivity, and placemaking can be accomplished in one project.
Information from The Georgia Department of Community Affairs.
