When construction is finished in 2030, the rail-to-trail infrastructure project will create a 22-mile loop around the City of Atlanta plus 11 miles of connector trails. This finished trail segment brings the total mainline loop to 12.6 miles of delivered trail, complemented by 10.3 miles of connector trails.
"I grew up here in Atlanta, served on this board as a council member, and now as your mayor. Atlanta is my home. These trails, these homes, these businesses… this is how we build a stronger and more connected city," said Atlanta Mayor Dickens. "Thank you to the Beltline team, our partners, and everyone who's helped make this possible."
The newly constructed trail segment stretches 1.3 miles from the existing Westside Trail terminus at Lena Street north to Law Street, where it connects to the Westside Beltline Connector and Westside Trail–Segment 3. It transforms a fragmented pathway into a seamless corridor that runs along Washington Park, weaving through neighborhoods where streets honor Civil Rights leaders Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Joseph E. Boone and Joseph Lowery.
"We are celebrating more than an infrastructure project. Today is a celebration of connecting communities and honoring the rich history that defines our city," said Higgs. "As trail users travel these 6.7 continuous miles, they're moving through neighborhoods born from resilience, built by Black architects and builders, and shaped by generations of community pride. This extension ensures that legacy is honored as we build toward our vision of a complete 22-mile loop in 2030."
Finishing Segment 4 is the culmination of a two-phase construction approach. Section A, spanning 0.5 miles, opened in fall 2024, while Section B, celebrated today, covers the remaining 0.8 miles.
Washington Park holds particular significance as Atlanta's first designated recreational space for African Americans. Created during the segregation era, the park originally featured a swimming pool, dance hall, pavilions and tennis courts, providing a long-awaited sanctuary for leisure and community gatherings.
The neighborhood surrounding the park emerged from the ashes of the Great Atlanta Fire of 1917, developing into one of Atlanta's first planned Black suburbs under the leadership of Heman E. Perry. Washington Park flourished as a thriving enclave for the city's African American middle class, with homes and institutions crafted by Black architects and builders during an era of systemic barriers.
In a tribute to the historical significance of Washington Park, Higgs, joined by Councilmember Byron Amos and The Conservancy at Historic Washington Park Board Chair Christi Jackson unveiled the park's new historical sign. Positioned at the gateway to the Westside Trail and the adjacent park, the marker commemorates Washington Park's enduring legacy.
As Washington Park enters its second century, this section of the Westside Trail ensures this pillar of resilience and community pride remains integral to the Beltline's 22-mile vision.
"The Westside Trail serves not only as a symbol of the community's storied past but also its ongoing commitment to growth, development, and prosperity as a longstanding, vital and vibrant community. In the design of the Westside Trail – Segment 4, we celebrate the City for its inclusive vision of innovation and entrepreneurship and the Beltline for its commitment to community engagement," said Christi Jackson, Board President of The Conservancy at Historic Washington Park. "This segment showcases the trail as a simple and cohesive way to bring the various areas of our city closer together, encouraging all of us to enjoy the great outdoors, arts and entertainment, and an interesting range of opportunities for discovery and engagement across and around our whole city."
The 14-foot-wide concrete multi-use path features three-foot soft shoulders on each side, complemented by thoughtful design elements including stainless steel handrails, LED lighting, and security cameras. Green infrastructure manages stormwater while environmental remediation addresses the corridor's industrial past. Ramps and stairs link the trail to adjoining streets, ensuring accessibility for surrounding communities.
Funding for the Beltline comes primarily from public sources through the Beltline Tax Allocation District, supported by Atlanta Public Schools, Fulton County and the City of Atlanta, along with Beltline Special Service District investors. Lead philanthropic support from the Robert W. Woodruff Foundation, Inc. and The James M. Cox Foundation is supporting construction of the full trail corridor.
The project required coordination among numerous partners, including Atlanta Regional Commission, Atlanta Department of Parks and Recreation, Atlanta Department of Transportation, and Atlanta Watershed Management, Georgia Department of Transportation, Georgia Power, MARTA, Invest Atlanta, Trees Atlanta, U.S. Department of Transportation, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Alta led trail design with support from subcontractors Sherwood Design Engineers, Sastry and Associates, Planners for Environmental Quality, TerraMark, United Consulting, Roosevelt Powell and Associates, Palacio Collaborative, Grice Consulting Group, Arborguard Tree Specialists, and Long Engineering. Astra Group served as the construction firm.
Ribbon cutting photos here.
About Atlanta Beltline, Inc.
Atlanta Beltline, Inc. is the official implementation agency for the Atlanta Beltline. Its vision is to be the catalyst for making Atlanta a global beacon for equitable, inclusive and sustainable city life. As one of the largest, most wide-ranging urban redevelopment programs in the United States, the Atlanta Beltline is building a more socially and economically resilient Atlanta with our partner organizations and host communities through job creation, inclusive transportation systems, affordable housing and public spaces for all. For more information on the Atlanta Beltline, please visit www.beltline.org.
SOURCE Atlanta BeltLine, Inc.
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