Montgomery, AL – After more than a year of collaboration and input from thousands of stakeholders and residents, the Sweet Trails Alabama team has released the state’s first Alabama Statewide Comprehensive Trails Plan. Known as Sweet Trails Alabama, the plan serves as a visionary guide to building a trail network connecting Alabama’s natural and historic destinations across all 67 counties.
The plan identifies and maps existing trails while proposing a statewide network that includes hiking, biking, paddling, horseback riding, and OHV/ATV trails. The primary focus remains on hiking and biking trails, ensuring a connected, accessible, and world-class trail system.
“This game-changing plan sets a vision for making Alabama a premier trails state, bolstering small towns and communities, fostering economic development, and enhancing quality of life for all residents and visitors,” said Senator Andrew Jones, a leading advocate for the project.
The Sweet Trails Alabama plan was inspired by the Hoover Institution’s Innovative Alabama report, which highlighted outdoor recreation as a key strategy for attracting high-skilled workers and promoting economic growth. The plan provides specific funding and implementation strategies to make its vision a reality.
The collaborative effort involved state, county, town, non-profit, and trail organizations. Anna Clem, Interim Executive Director of the Singing River Trail, praised the unified approach: “This is a great example of what is possible when everyone works together. Our collective success will advance trail projects statewide.”
Jacksonville State University and the Singing River Trail administered the project, with Alta Planning + Designleading its development. Dean Tim Lindblom of Jacksonville State University emphasized the importance of continued investment: “This Plan gives us the starting point to extend and connect trails, showcasing what Alabama has to offer.”
During the planning process, several Alabama cities, including Montgomery, Birmingham, and Huntsville, received federal grants exceeding $100 million for trail development. The Sweet Trails Alabama team is also working on a trails toolbox for communities and conducting feasibility studies to advance trail projects.
“This will be a long-term endeavor, but we aren’t waiting,” said Senator Andrew Jones. “This plan should accelerate our progress and prove what’s possible when we work together.”
Sweet Trails Alabama is forming a coalition of municipalities, counties, trail groups, and private organizations to continue trail development and advocacy.
- Visit the Plan: Sweet Trails Alabama
- Find Trails Near You: Seek Alabama
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As the plan evolves, it promises to shape Alabama into a national leader in outdoor recreation, promoting connectivity, health, and economic vitality for generations to come.
