In the early 1990s, Brenda Burnette with the Trust for Public Land began meeting with Juanita Jordan, executive director of the Peyton Anderson Foundation, to talk about protecting and programming greenspaces in Macon. Juanita engaged the interest of prominent local businessman and DNR board member Ben Porter. Together, they marshaled the resources needed to begin strategic planning and planted the seeds for a grassroots effort that would become a source of pride for the Macon community. Juanita and Ben enlisted the help of the Community Foundation of Central Georgia, Macon-Bibb County Parks and Recreation, Georgia Department of Natural Resources and the Trust for Public Land as well as local businessman Chris Sheridan, who has since become the effort’s primary spokesperson and volunteer leader. Mr. Sheridan then recruited Bill Hodges, a local engineer with drive and vision who volunteered his time to head the Trail Technical Committee.

In 1995, the Trust for Public Land identified what was then called the “Ocmulgee Heritage Greenway” as a major initiative. The project was planned as the first walking, biking, running and skating trail in Middle Georgia that would also include amenities such as trail heads, boat launches, river access, river outlooks and environmental education centers. Segments were planned to connect in-town neighborhoods, museums and historical sites. Subsequently, the Greenway became part of Governor Zell Miller’s RiverCare 2000 program and was endorsed by the Macon Area Transportation Study Policy Committee as the top local priority for future federal transportation enhancement proposals.

With funding from the Peyton Anderson Foundation, local volunteers developed a master plan for the Trail. These local organizers spent three years identifying viable trail corridors, assessing options for connecting them to existing trail systems and assembling preliminary funding commitments from public and private sources. In 1999, the project became one of NewTown Macon’s downtown revitalization initiatives because of its importance in creating a vital city center. The organization continues to work with a diverse group of committed community partners to manage and raise funds to implement the trail master plan.

From conception to construction, the Ocmulgee Heritage Trail has been a shining example of our community’s vision and its ability to work together for the common good.

Initial Project Partners:
City of Macon
Bibb County
Macon-Bibb County Parks and Recreation
Macon Water Authority
Macon-Bibb County Planning and Zoning
Trust for Public Land
Peyton Anderson Foundation
The Ocmulgee National Monument
The Tubman African American Museum
Community Foundation of Central Georgia
NewTown Macon
The Georgia Department of Natural Resources
The Georgia Department of Transportation
The Greater Macon Chamber of Commerce

Please see Donors section under Trail Facts for more information on our partners.