Atlanta, Georgia – Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, together with Atlanta Beltline, Inc. President & CEO Clyde Higgs, broke ground on the first section of the Northwest Trail on October 31, 2024, signaling a major turning point in urban growth for Atlanta. Attended by other community leaders, the event marked the Beltline’s expansion into Buckhead, a major push toward linking the city via environmentally friendly, easily accessible pathways.
Starting at the entrance to Peachtree Park apartment, the 0.8-mile Northwest Trail Segment 1 begins an ambitious extension north from Peachtree Park Drive and ends at the Kinsey Court cul-de-sac. Promising to improve the natural surroundings and experience for trail-goers, this new trail stretch stands out for having a suspension bridge above Peachtree Creek.
“The Beltline is crucial in our mission to create safe, healthy and connected neighborhoods across Atlanta, and it’s one of the nation’s most transformative infrastructure projects, supporting economic, social and recreational needs for our residents and visitors,” said Mayor Dickens. “This acquisition and expansion will help us continue to make Atlanta the best place in the nation to raise a family and to start a business.”
Representing the Beltline’s entry into one of Atlanta’s most upscale areas, the project has required careful planning and cooperation. Emphasizing community-conscious planning, special attention was paid to reducing disturbance to the Peachtree Park Apartments’ occupants.
Under the direction of the Dickens administration, Atlanta Beltline, Inc., in a determined move toward furthering this urban vision, purchased almost one acre of important land at 2110 Peachtree Road. The construction of Segment 2 of the Northwest Trail depends on this acquisition, which marks the first such purchase along Atlanta’s famous Peachtree corridor. Strategically placed next to important employment hubs like Piedmont Atlanta Hospital and the Shepherd Center, this location improves access for many Atlantans.
“This property purchase brings the Beltline closer to realizing its vision of a fully connected, accessible, and vibrant infrastructure, further enhancing the economic, recreational, and environmental benefits for Atlanta’s residents and visitors,” said Clyde Higgs, President and CEO of Atlanta Beltline, Inc.
Including the Northwest Trail, the whole 22-mile Beltline loop targets completion by 2030. Remarkably, by spring 2026, in time for Atlanta to host FIFA World Cup events, 16.3 miles of continuous trail alongside 1.6 miles of spur routes will be open to the public.
With building currently under way for Segments 3 and 5 of the Northwest Trail, further changes are also coming. Beginning at Trabert Avenue close to Monday Night Brewing and crossing under I-75 at Tanyard Creek, Segment 3 will be 1.2 miles. Beginning building earlier this year, segment 5 will stretch for 0.8 miles between Marietta Boulevard and Huff Road, connecting several Westside homes and the Westside Trail.
When completed, the Northwest Trail will be a vital link connecting a series of neighborhoods and important sites stretching 4.3 miles from Blandtown to Lindbergh/Morosgo. It intends to enhance the cityscape and give Atlantans even more accessible and integrated urban surroundings.
Through the Beltline Tax Allocation District, Atlanta Public Schools, Fulton County, and the City of Atlanta all significantly contribute to funding for the Beltline; moreover, Beltline Special Service District investors help to fund the Beltline. The James M. Cox Foundation and the Robert W. Woodruff Foundation, Inc. have led strong, philanthropic support.
Working in tandem to bring this visionary idea to life, the Beltline project’s cornerstone continues to be collaboration among many local and state departments as well as community organizations including Invest Atlanta, the PATH Foundation, and Trees Atlanta.
