Letter from Milton Mayor Joe Lockwood

October 18, 2007

The City of Milton has made a lot of accomplishments during its first year, and things are busier than ever as we near the date of our incorporation on December 1. The City has passed its 2008 budget, property tax bills have been mailed (with an October 31 due date), and the City’s planning department is working on numerous zoning requests with the goal of ensuring that our City stays on the path that preserves the rural beauty that defines Milton. At the same time, students across Milton have returned to the classrooms, and Milton’s police force is working hard to keep our children and teenagers safe, particularly by increasing patrols at crosswalks and in areas where children may be on foot.

One of the key initiatives underway within our City is the development of the Milton Trail, a shared use trail that provides walkers, runners, bicyclists and equestrians the opportunity to travel throughout our City without riding in an automobile. This pathway is uniquely designed for the distinct types of urban and rural areas through which it travels, and is also safely and easily used by those with disabilities. We are excited about this initiative and what the Milton Trail will offer to residents and visitors alike.

The Milton Trail Plan is a five-year plan that was developed with the input of a citizen committee, in conjunction with City staff and representatives from Georgia Tech. Now that the overall plan has been completed, the City Council has voted to keep the committee intact for another year, thereby the plan to be implemented with citizen input, as was envisioned by the committee. The City is also researching grant opportunities that can help fund this project, and is inviting corporations, citizens, developers and charitable organizations to become partners in the development of this wonderful asset.

Following the guidelines of the five-year plan, development of the Milton Trail will begin in the Freemanville South area in year one. Subsequent years will see development in Bethany/Cogburn, followed by Freemanville North, Thompson and then Birmingham. The core network of the trail will connect schools and parks, and the trail will tie into “safe routes” for schools as well, providing complete sidewalks, trails, and walking paths for students and others.

The Milton Trail will be a significant feature within our City, meeting the recreational vision that is part of the City’s overall design, and even becoming Milton’s own “Silver Comet Trail.” We look forward to watching this beautiful Trail unfold and seeing the pleasure it brings for all of us as it invites us to get out and see our City!

- Mayor Joe Lockwood