Ocmulgee Heritage Trail: Updates, Projects, & Progress
The Ocmulgee Heritage Trail (OHT) is a public/private partnership envisioned by NewTown Macon in 1996. NewTown Macon continues to plan trail expansions and raises private funds to support improvements. Once new portions of the trail are complete, Macon-Bibb County operates and maintains improvements in perpetuity as public parks.
The vision is a seamless bicycle and pedestrian urban trail system that connects our parks and public spaces. The goal is to provide more and better options for bicycles and pedestrians.
Bike Walk Macon is working alongside NewTown Macon and Macon-Bibb County to keep the public informed about trail projects, construction updates, events, and opportunities to get involved.
Looking for info about the history, vision, and development of the OHT?
Visit NewTown Macon's Ocmulgee Heritage Trail page.
THE OCMULGEE HERITAGE TRAIL IS MORE THAN A RECREATIONAL PATH - it's an investment in a more connected and sustainable Macon. Together, community partners are helping create a trail network that links neighborhoods, parks, schools, businesses, and destinations throughout Macon-Bibb County.
Meet the OHT Partners
NewTown Macon has served as the primary driver behind the development of the Ocmulgee Heritage Trail. The organization works to secure funding, oversee trail planning and construction projects, coordinate long-term trail expansion efforts, and support the OHT Board.
Macon-Bibb County maintains completed sections of the trail and supports future trail development through infrastructure improvements, maintenance, and funding partnerships.
Bike Walk Macon helps connect the community to the trail through education, engagement, and activation. The organization shares trail updates, organizes events, and promotes the trail as both a recreational asset and a transportation network.
Working Together
While NewTown Macon, Macon-Bibb County, and Bike Walk Macon serve as the trail's primary partners, its success depends on the support of many organizations, agencies, businesses, and community members. From funding and planning to construction, maintenance, programming, and advocacy, these partners play an important role in growing and strengthening the trail.
As the Ocmulgee Heritage Trail continues to expand, we remain committed to keeping the community informed, engaged, and excited about its future.
Interested in supporting the trail? Contact us to learn about partnership, volunteer, and sponsorship opportunities.
Trail Updates + News
June 2026 - Macon-Bibb Co. Commission Approves RTP Match
On Tuesday, June 2, the Macon-Bibb County Commission approved a resolution supporting NewTown Macon's application for grant funding to improve and expand the Ocmulgee Heritage Trail. NewTown is seeking $165,000 from the Georgia Department of Natural Resources' Recreational Trails Program (RTP) and has committed the required $45,000 local match.
If awarded, the grant would help fund improvements near Riverside Cemetery, creating a safer pedestrian crossing over railroad property and helping connect the trail to a future pedestrian bridge over the Ocmulgee River. The project is part of ongoing efforts to grow the Ocmulgee Heritage Trail and make it easier for people to safely walk, bike, and enjoy Macon's natural and historic resources. The Commission's approval allows NewTown to move forward with the grant application process. Learn More.
June 2026 - retired OHT advocate, Bill Causey, talks Connecting our community through trails
Causey spent much of his career working in engineering, helping plan and improve infrastructure throughout Macon-Bibb County. In the Macon It podcast, he shares how that experience shaped his passion for connecting communities through trails, pathways, and outdoor spaces. Listen Here.
May 2026 - Phase 1 Approval for Riverside Cemetery Expansion
NewTown Macon and Macon-Bibb County are excited to announce Phase I approval for a Recreational Trails Program (RTP) grant to extend the Ocmulgee Heritage Trail through Riverside Cemetery!
This connection has been part of the Trail Master Plan - Vision Plan for years. The project will link the Riverside Cemetery Trail to a future pedestrian bridge connecting to the decommissioned GDOT bridge over the Ocmulgee River, with ADA accessibility, a boardwalk over wetlands, and protections for old-growth trees. Learn More.
Oct 2025 - MBC demolishes gas station near Spring Street and Riverside Drive for OHT development
A gas station at the intersection of Spring Street and Riverside Drive has now been demolished by the Public Works Department in Macon-Bibb County to make way for a new trailhead for the Ocmulgee Heritage Trail.
The new trailhead will connect the river, Downtown Macon and other new developments coming to the the properties along Riverside Drive, according to a release from the county. Learn More.
July 2025 - vital connection is made to open nearly 450 acres of greenspace along Ocmulgee River
The Commission approved the purchase of a piece of property that would make the connection between a large area of currently inaccessible greenspace and Amerson River Park that would allow a significant extension of the Ocmulgee Heritage Trail. Once connected, there will be nearly 450 total acres of greenspace from Arkwright Road all the way through Amerson River Park. Learn More.
July 2025 - Ocmulgee Mounds and Heritage Trail grows with new land acquisition and funding
Bibb leaders also finalized a $2.1 million deal that will expand the Ocmulgee Heritage trail. The new land will help connect areas north of Amerson River Park to the Ocmulgee Mounds, allowing greater public access. That includes the newly acquired 10.1 acres on Rolling Road and Pine Knoll Drive, which link 200 acres owned by the Urban Development Authority with the 23 acres on Arkwright Road.
The purchase is being made possible through $1.8 million from 2018 SPLOST funds, with the Urban Development Authority and Newtown Macon each contributing an additional $250 thousand. Learn More.
Feb 2025 - Mercer to move medical school to Riverside Drive and create OHT trailhead
The Macon-Bibb County Urban Development Authority (UDA) has approved selling its Riverside Drive property to Mercer University, clearing the way for a major redevelopment that will bring the Mercer University School of Medicine to downtown Macon. Alex Morrison of UDA said the redevelopment will serve as a key connection between downtown Macon and the Ocmulgee River.
“Development will allow Riverside Drive to become a better gateway for our community and allow the site to be an attractive trailhead for the Ocmulgee Heritage Trail,” Morrison said. Learn More.
Jan 2025 - Pedestrian overpass to connect trails in Macon’s I-16 & I-75 Interchange Project
The long-awaited pedestrian overpass connecting the Ocmulgee Heritage Trail to Amerson River Park is taking some shape as part of Macon's massive I-16/I-75 Interchange Project. According to the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT), the pedestrian bridge was initially constructed during Phase 1 of the project to serve as the three-lane detour bridge for I-16 eastbound traffic over the Ocmulgee River. Learn More.
Get Involved
Friends of the Ocmulgee Heritage Trail
We're building a network of trail users, advocates, and community members who want to help support, promote, and steward the trail. Friends serve as ambassadors for the OHT, helping share information, identify needs, support volunteer projects, and build enthusiasm for the trail's future alongside Macon-Bibb County, Bike Walk Macon, and Bike Tech Macon.
Support the OHT
The future of the Ocmulgee Heritage Trail depends on community support. Unlike many public amenities, the trail does not currently have a dedicated funding source. Every expansion, improvement, and community activation is made possible through grants, partnerships, and individual donations. Your support helps create new connections, enhance the trail experience, and ensure this important community asset continues to grow.