Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, Atlanta Beltline, Inc. president and CEO Clyde Higgs, elected officials from Fulton County and Atlanta Public Schools, and other community leaders held a ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating a milestone for the Beltline by creating the longest uninterrupted length of trail to date.
With the completion of Westside Trail–Segment 4, walkers, runners and cyclists can now travel 6.7 continuous miles along the Atlanta Beltline, from University Avenue in southwest Atlanta to Huff Road in northwest Atlanta with the completion of Westside Trail–Segment 4.
When construction is finished in 2030, the rail-to-trail infrastructure project will create a 22-mile loop around the City of Atlanta plus 11 miles of connector trails. This finished trail segment brings the total mainline loop to 12.6 miles of delivered trail, complemented by 10.3 miles of connector trails.
“I grew up here in Atlanta, served on this board as a council member, and now as your mayor. Atlanta is my home. These trails, these homes, these businesses… this is how we build a stronger and more connected city,” said Dickens.
“Thank you to the Beltline team, our partners, and everyone who’s helped make this possible.”
The new trail segment stretches 1.3 miles from the existing Westside Trail terminus at Lena Street north to Law Street, where it connects to the Westside Beltline Connector and Westside Trail–Segment 3. It transforms a fragmented pathway into a seamless corridor that runs along Washington Park.
“We are celebrating more than an infrastructure project. Today is a celebration of connecting communities and honouring the rich history that defines our city,” said Higgs.
“As trail users travel these 6.7 continuous miles, they’re moving through neighborhoods born from resilience, built by black architects and builders, and shaped by generations of community pride. This extension ensures that legacy is honoured as we build toward our vision of a complete 22-mile loop in 2030.”
Finishing Segment 4 is the culmination of a two-phase construction approach. Section A, spanning 0.5 miles, opened in fall 2024, while Section B, celebrated today, covers the remaining 0.8 miles.
The neighbourhood surrounding the park emerged from the ashes of the Great Atlanta Fire of 1917, developing into one of Atlanta’s first planned black suburbs under the leadership of Heman E. Perry. Washington Park flourished as a thriving enclave for the city’s African American middle class, with homes and institutions crafted by black architects and builders during an era of systemic barriers.
In a tribute to the historical significance of Washington Park, Higgs, joined by council member Byron Amos and The Conservancy at Historic Washington Park Board Chair Christi Jackson unveiled the park’s new historical sign. Positioned at the gateway to the Westside Trail and the adjacent park, the marker commemorates Washington Park’s enduring legacy.
“The Westside Trail serves not only as a symbol of the community’s storied past but also its ongoing commitment to growth, development, and prosperity as a longstanding, vital and vibrant community. In the design of the Westside Trail – Segment 4, we celebrate the City for its inclusive vision of innovation and entrepreneurship and the Beltline for its commitment to community engagement,” said Christi Jackson, board president of The Conservancy at Historic Washington Park.
“This segment showcases the trail as a simple and cohesive way to bring the various areas of our city closer together, encouraging all of us to enjoy the great outdoors, arts and entertainment, and an interesting range of opportunities for discovery and engagement across and around our whole city.”
The 14-foot-wide concrete multi-use path features three-foot soft shoulders on each side, complemented by design elements including stainless steel handrails, LED lighting, and security cameras. Green infrastructure manages stormwater while environmental remediation addresses the corridor’s industrial past. Ramps and stairs link the trail to adjoining streets, ensuring accessibility for surrounding communities.
