Despite being much older and longer than its Atlanta Beltline sibling, the Stone Mountain Trail hasn’t been a magnet for economic development on nearly the same scale. DeKalb County is hoping to start changing that soon. 

Beginning Sunday, DeKalb County Planning and Sustainability officials will start public engagement efforts for an initiative called the Stone Mountain Trail Master Plan, a reference to the 19-mile, multi-use pathway that links downtown Atlanta to Georgia’s most visited tourist attraction, Stone Mountain Park.

Specifically, the study will target the trail segment that starts near Avondale Estates’ growing central business district and MARTA station and touches all points east—such as famously, globally diverse Clarkston—to the western gates of Stone Mountain Park. 

Project officials view the study as “an opportunity for DeKalb County to mirror the success of [the] Beltline as a trail of regional significance, while also prioritizing the preservation of existing neighbors and their local culture,” according to a master plan summary. 

Scope of the area in question between Avondale Estates (left) and the most visited tourist attraction in Georgia. DeKalb County Planning & Sustainability; Stone Mountain Trail Master Plan

Work on the master plan is being funded by a Community Development Assistance Program grant from the Atlanta Regional Commission. 

The broad goal is to kickstart equitable development near the trail, enhance mobility and connectivity with additions such as microtransit and spur trails, and create more “people-focused spaces” along the outdoor amenity, per county officials. 

Should all go as planned, the Stone Mountain Trail study will align economic development opportunities, land use, and transportation upgrades along the greenway without sacrificing affordable housing and spurring displacement, according to the county. (Always a tricky balancing act). 

Placemaking efforts could include additions such as new streetscapes, lighting, public art, and wayfinding (yes, the trail can be hard to follow for first-time users).   

A design charrette phase is forecasted for May, and the master plan’s final report should be ready by October, per project leaders.  

Beginning at Centennial Olympic Park downtown today, the Stone Mountain Trail marked the PATH Foundation’s first trail when it debuted in advance of Atlanta’s Olympic Games nearly 30 years ago. 

In Decatur it becomes a side path and then changes beyond Interstate 285 in Clarkston to a rails-to-trails greenway, before switching back to a side path near Stone Mountain Village, per the PATH Foundation.   

Today the trail is maintained by the Dekalb County Recreation, Parks, and Cultural Affairs Department. 

Various aspects of the 19-mile trail, a recreational gem between downtown and Stone Mountain Park. PATH Foundation

Public engagement for the Stone Mountain Trail Master Plan is scheduled to kick off this weekend.  

Expect a project booth from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 2 at the Avondale Estates Farmers Market. That will be followed by the official Kickoff Open House from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Feb. 11 at Clarkston Library (951 N. Indian Creek Drive). 

Additionally, DeKalb County officials say a project survey to gather master plan input will launch Feb. 2. Find more details on future meetings over here. 

DeKalb County Planning & Sustainability; Stone Mountain Trail Master Plan

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