This project was conducted for the City of Austell which proposes to construct a trail network on a 50 acre tract adjacent to U.S. Highway 78 and Sweetwater Creek. The tract is currently owned by the City of Austell. Specific improvements include a trialhead at U.S. Highway 78/Veterans Memorial Boulevard, a greenway adjacent to Sweetwater Creek, minimum 10 foot multi-use/bicycle trails, rest facilities (M/W/H), educational displays, potable (drinking) water, bicycle parking and storage, and a kiosk displaying information on nearby sites, accommodations, and emergency contacts. A small portion of the project may require acquisition of private property from Dale Lawrence. Lawrence's three tracts were also surveyed during the present project. Much of the project area has been severely impacted by drainage ditches, retention ponds, woods roads, utility construction, filling activities, business and residential development, and utilities installation. Some of these areas have become severely eroded due to extensive human use. In addition, much of the project area is wet. No sites were located during the project survey despite rigorous surface investigations and shovel testing. The lack of any intact archaeological sites within the project areas is not surprising considering the field conditions. Cypress Cultural Consultants recommends that the Sweetwater Creek Greenway and Trail project be allowed to proceed within the currently defined project boundaries.
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