ATLANTA, June 26 /PRNewswire/ -- The dream of bicyclists, runners and walkers of making their way from Atlanta to Anniston, Ala., on a single, uninterrupted trail moved closer to reality today with the announcement of a $100,000 grant from Coca-Cola North America. The grant will be used to help to close an eight-mile gap in the Silver Comet-Chief Ladiga trails and build a picturesque gateway park on the state line.
Designed with the needs of cyclists and hikers in mind, the gateway park will feature bicycle racks, picnic tables, restrooms, a covered pavilion that will house information, maps and brochures, and a payphone. The gateway park is expected to be complete by early 2007.
"The Silver Comet, a long-time favorite of Georgians, when connected with the Chief Ladiga Trail will provide more than 100 miles of incredible outdoor space for not only Georgia and Alabama residents, but also for all those visiting this soon-to-be national treasure," said Ed McBrayer, executive director of the PATH Foundation, an Atlanta-based trail development organization. Currently, the Chief Ladiga offers 33 miles of rail-trail and the Silver Comet, 50 miles.
"The Silver Comet trail in Georgia is one of the best examples of Rails-to-Trails Conservancy's efforts, and of how local, county, state and federal authorities collaborate with community organizations like the PATH Foundation to build and maintain trails," said Keith Laughlin, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy president. "Creating green places for recreation and exercise requires the support of government as well as committed corporate citizens, like Coca-Cola North America. The long-term benefits of this partnership, linking the two states with a world-class trail, are innumerable and will span generations."
"I am gratified to know that Coca-Cola is taking a leadership position in developing urban trails through Rails-to-Trails Conservancy," said Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue. "There is a great need in our communities for safe places to exercise and enjoy the outdoors. Partnerships like these help Americans get moving and ultimately lead to healthier and more active lifestyles."
The Silver Comet-to-Chief Ladiga gift is part of a larger $500,000 grant made by Coca-Cola North America to Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, a national nonprofit organization that works with local communities across the United States to transform unused railroad corridors into trails and greenways. In addition to the major $100,000 grant in Georgia and Alabama, Coca-Cola North America is awarding trail development gifts to local organizations in 13 communities across the United States.
"For most of the last century, The Coca-Cola Company and its bottlers have supported community needs in keeping with the times," said Don Knauss, Coca- Cola North America president. "Today, providing people with more opportunities to be active and have greater access to green space is a clearly identified community need. We're pleased that with our contribution to Rails-to-Trails Conservancy we are able to support that need and give something lasting back to our communities."
These donations build on Coca-Cola's highly successful DASANI "Blue Bikes" program, in partnership with Trek Bikes, which provided more than 180 bikes for free consumer use on approximately 200 miles of community trails across the country. DASANI Blue Bikes are available for nine trails in nine cities: the Gwynns Falls Trail in Baltimore, Illinois Prairie Path and Great Western Trail in Chicago, Three Rivers Heritage Trail in Pittsburgh, Silver Comet Trail in Atlanta, Provo Jordan River Parkway Trail near Salt Lake City, Sammamish River Trail in Seattle, Little Econ Greenway Trails in Orange County, Fla., the Katy Trail in Dallas and the Lake Brandt Greenway in Greensboro, N.C. Four more trails will be added to the program in the fall of this year.
About The Coca-Cola Company
The Coca-Cola Company has a long history of supporting and encouraging sports and physical fitness programs for both young people and adults. Last year alone, Coca-Cola North America connected with more than four million young people through its youth programs: Live it!, a physical activity and nutrition education program for middle school students; Copa Coca-Cola, a soccer tournament for teens; and Triple Play, a $12 million dollar after-school program with the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Kraft Foods and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Collectively, these programs promote healthy lifestyles and physical activity.
Coca-Cola North America provides consumers with a broad portfolio of brands for every taste, lifestyle and occasion to hydrate, energize, nourish, relax or simply enjoy every drop of life. Coca-Cola North America markets more than 100 beverage brands, including four of the world's top five carbonated beverages, Coca-Cola Classic, Diet Coke, Fanta and Sprite.
Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, a nonprofit organization with more than 100,000 members and supporters, is the nation's largest trails organization dedicated to connecting people and communities by creating a nationwide network of public trails, many from former rail lines and connecting corridors. Founded in 1986, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy is located in Washington, D.C., and more information can be found at http://www.railtrails.org/.
