Ocmulgee Heritage Trail: ARCHIVED Updates + News

ARCHIVED UPDATES AND 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.