There will be more outdoor playtime for people of all ages in the Emerald City.
The Dublin City Council approved money for a bike route and river walk. They hope to increase economic development with recreation.
"The effect that a project like this could have on a community is immense," says Tara Bradshaw, director of Main Street Dublin. "It would lead to tourism it would lead to business development. It means a lot for our downtown."
She hopes this will lead to bike shops or more hotels and restaurants to accommodate a growth of tourism. The suggestions came from the Young Game Changers Program, where 30 young professionals brainstormed ways to improve the town. Bradshaw was one of them.
"Bicycling and outdoor recreation is a thriving industry," she explains. "We want to make sure we utilize whatever resources we have to attract those enthusiasts to our town."
State Bicycle Route 40 runs from Savannah to Columbus, with Dublin right in the heart of the route. The director of tourism, Rebecca McWilliam, says this could make the city a hub for cycling tourists.
"Bicycle tourism is one of the fastest growing segments of tourism in Georgia," says McWilliam.
The trail would pass through downtown to the Oconee river, connecting to the new river walk for a total of ten miles.
"There is no direct access in the city of Dublin to the Oconee River," notes McWilliam. "So we definitely want to solve that issue."
They say the project has been several years coming. Whether's it's a spin through downtown or a stroll along the river, officials hopes these improvements will get more people to ride through. There is no estimated cost yet for the whole project. Bradshaw says the master plan should be finished by this summer, which would outline costs and a timeline for completion.
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