BeltLine’s Eastside Trail Officially Opens

The Atlanta BeltLine’s Eastside Trail officially opened today. The 2.25 mile path connects five intown neighborhoods. Mayor Kasim Reed led the dedication ceremony, which took place near the Old Fourth Ward skate park. The trail winds through Virginia Highlands, Midtown, Poncey-Highland, Inman Park, and the Old Fourth Ward. Although it didn’t officially open until today, runners, bikers, walkers, and skaters have already been using it. Kirkwood resident Stacy Martin says her family uses the trail a lot, even though she doesn’t live on the beltline.

“We like it because we can connect into Piedmont Park pretty easily,” she says, “You don’t have to deal with park traffic. You can kind-of park down somewhere down off the BeltLine and walk right in and you kind of get the best of both worlds.”

There are also plans for commercial and residential development projects along the trail. BeltLine officials have already made plans for a light rail line that will run alongside the paved path. The Eastside trail is the third leg of the BeltLine to open so far.