Close to 40 Dunwoody residents turned out to make a last-minute plea to city leaders to halt plans for a multi-purpose trail through Brook Run Park.
The loosely formed citizen’s group, many clad in red shirts, told city council members Monday night that construction of the ¾-mile-trail will destroy hundreds of trees and contribute to runoff problems for nearby homeowners.
“The shame of it is we had no public meetings that gave the input that took this from an 8-foot path with pervious surface to a 12-foot path,” said former councilman Danny Ross, who voted for the original proposal last year.
Somewhere along the line, he said, someone decided it made no difference to cut close to 335 trees from the city’s forest, or clear-cut a swath 50 feet wide in some places near a residential development that has flooding problems. The original plan called for minimal disturbance to existing trees because it would follow an existing path, Ross said.
In all, eight people spoke at the City Council meeting opposing the project as it now stands. The coalition — composed of naturalists, nearby homeowners and tea party members — pointed out that while the cost for the project has more than tripled from the original $130,000, the length of the trail has shrunk from 1.3 miles to 3/4 of a mile.
The original plan called for converting an existing dirt and asphalt walking trail into an 8-foot-wide path made of asphalt, mulch and wood.
City leaders say the enhanced trail will accommodate cyclists, walkers, joggers and the handicapped. They also stress that a concrete surface is unmatched for durability and their survey studies show no runoff threats to nearby homeowners.
Joe Seconder said the concrete path would be suitable for two-wheelers, but that, as an avid local cyclist, he prefers bike lanes on roadways.
Meanwhile, crews continue survey and erosion control work this week, city spokesman Bob Mullen said. Once those are completed, installed and inspected, the city will have a better idea of when the construction will begin, he said.
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