Southeast Clarke Park to Receive $200,000 in Trail Upgrades

Funding will improve accessibility and year-round use of popular Athens park

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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The Georgia Department of Natural Resources has awarded a $200,000 grant to Athens-Clarke County to make improvements to the trails at Southeast Clarke Park. The project will add paving, a new bridge, erosion control, benches, and safety signage to enhance accessibility and year-round use of the park's dog parks, playgrounds, sports fields, and event areas for walkers, runners, wheelchair users, and families with strollers.

Why it matters

The Southeast Clarke Park trail upgrades are part of a statewide $3.1 million Recreational Trails Program package, highlighting the state's commitment to improving outdoor recreation infrastructure. The project aims to make the popular Athens park more accessible and usable for a diverse range of visitors throughout the year.

The details

The $200,000 grant will fund several key improvements to the trails at Southeast Clarke Park, including paving, a new bridge, erosion control measures, benches, and safety signage. These upgrades are intended to enhance accessibility and year-round use of the park's amenities, such as dog parks, playgrounds, sports fields, and event spaces. The project is part of a broader $3.1 million statewide investment through the Recreational Trails Program.

  • The Georgia Department of Natural Resources announced the grant funding on March 9, 2026.

The players

Georgia Department of Natural Resources

The state agency that oversees natural resources and outdoor recreation, including the Recreational Trails Program that is funding the Southeast Clarke Park project.

Athens-Clarke County

The local government entity that will receive and implement the $200,000 grant to improve the trails at Southeast Clarke Park.

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What’s next

The project is expected to begin construction in the coming months, with the goal of completing the trail upgrades by the end of 2026.

The takeaway

The Southeast Clarke Park trail improvements demonstrate Athens-Clarke County's commitment to enhancing outdoor recreation infrastructure and accessibility, ensuring the popular park can be enjoyed by a diverse range of visitors year-round.