ATLANTA – State Representative Trey Rhodes (R-Greensboro) today announced that the City of Union Point Firefly Trail will receive a $100,000 Recreational Trails Program grant from the Georgia Department of Natural Resources through the Federal Recreational Trails Program.
“I am grateful that the Georgia Department of Natural Resources is investing in this critical trail project,” said Rep. Rhodes. “The proposed Firefly Trail will be a great addition to Union Point, as it is sure to drive economic development and enhance the quality of life for our citizens. This Recreational Trails Program grant is a tremendous win for Union Point and will play a major role in helping to further develop the Firefly Trail in our community.”
The Federal Recreational Trails Program (RTP) is a highly competitive grant program that provides funding for trail construction, trail maintenance and trail education. The Georgia RTP, which is funded through the Federal Highway Administration and administered at the state level, develops and maintains recreational trails and trail-related facilities consistent with the Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP).
The City of Union Point Firefly Trail is one of only 14 trail projects in Georgia to receive a new DNR grant, totaling $2.3 million for trail development and upkeep statewide.
The Firefly Trail is a planned 39-mile rail-trail from Athens to Union Point in Northeast Georgia. The historic rail line, known as the Athens Branch of the Georgia Railroad, branched off the still-active Augusta-to-Atlanta line in Union Point and passed through the towns of Woodville, Maxeys, Stephens, Crawford, Arnoldsville and Winterville on its way to Athens.
For more information on the Firefly Trail, please click here.
Representative Trey Rhodes represents the citizens of District 120, which includes Greene, Oglethorpe and Taliaferro counties, and portions of Putnam and Wilkes counties. He was elected into the House of Representatives in 2015, and currently serves on the Banks & Banking, Economic Development & Tourism, Ways & Means, Game, Fish & Parks, and Special Rules committees.
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