The Silver Comet Trail has become a great asset to Smyrna and Cobb County. The Silver Comet Trail is Georgia’s most ambitious rails-to-trails project. It is named for the Silver Comet passenger train that ran on the identical route from 1947 to 1968.
It is now a paved, multi-use recreational trail that currently runs from Smyrna, Georgia west through Paulding and Polk counties, then connects with Alabama’s Chief Ladiga Trail. Any day of the week you will find people strolling, running, roller-blading, and biking on the trail.
Currently there is an eight-mile gap in the trail between Rockmart and Cedartown. In June, Coca-Cola North America announced a $100,000 grant. The grant will be used to help close the eight-mile gap in the Silver Comet and Chief Ladiga trails and build a picturesque gateway park on the state line.
Designed with the needs of cyclists and hikers in mind, the gateway park will feature bicycle racks, picnic tables, restrooms, a covered pavilion that will house information, maps and brochures, and a payphone. The welcome center is expected to be complete by early 2007.
The origins of the Silver Comet Trail date back to 1947 when the Silver Comet Train began it’s initial run. As rail travel diminished in popularity, the Silver Comet was downgraded and eventually discontinued in 1969. In 1989, CSX Railroad notified the state of Georgia that it was abandoning 36 miles of railroad that spanned from Cobb County through Paulding and Polk counties. The subsequent year, the idea of converting the railroad tracks to a multi-use track was formulated. With much effort, construction began on the Silver Comet Trail in 1998 and the first section opened in November of that year.
Today the Silver Comet Trail is a boon to all those seeking a little exercise. It’s proximity to Smyrna and the multiple entry points have ensured its growth in popularity. Its popularity has driven development of Smyrna homes and businesses adjacent to the trail. The ability to live close to the Trail has now been recognized as a huge benefit to homeowners and has resulted in price appreciation in their Smyrna homes. Some great resources to learn more about the Silver Comet trail include:
http://www.pathfoundation.org/
http://www.trailexpress.com/silvercomet/
http://silvercomet.tripod.com/
The popularity of the rails-to-trails program and the Silver Comet Trail in general, Cobb County has plans to create additional trails throughout the county to begin connecting their various current trail systems including the trails at Kennesaw Mountain National Park and the trails at the Chattahoochee River National Recreation areas. Although portions of the trail system are recreational, they provide connectivity between cities, access to regional activity centers, and a healthy commuting option for travelers who wish to avoid the congestion of some county thoroughfares.