New Day
Palisades
Renewing What Renews Us
New Day
About New Day Palisades
The Cumberland CID is home to more than 840 acres of the National Park Service’s Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area (CRNRA). This greenspace – an area equivalent to New York’s Central Park – is a critical natural resource in this rapidly urbanizing area.
The Paces Mill/Palisades Unit is the southernmost Unit of the CRNRA, which is located at the Cumberland CID’s southern boundary and gateway. The Cumberland CID and the CRNRA are partnering together to rehabilitate and protect the Paces Mill/Palisades Unit.
New Day Palisades is a campaign to build awareness and raise much-needed funds to rehabilitate the Paces Mill/Palisades Unit of the CRNRA. Our work will help set a precedent for how residents and visitors engage with the Chattahoochee River in a positive and sustainable way.
About the Paces Mill/Palisades Rehabilitation
Built in the 1978, the park unit is a popular destination for people participating in recreational boating, fishing, picnicking, jogging, biking and walking activities. The Paces Mill/Palisades Unit hosts over 270,000 visitors a year connecting to 38 miles of multi-use trails and serving as the Bob Callan Trailhead.
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Benefits of the Rehabilitation
In 2017, the NPS and the Cumberland CID entered into a formal public-private partnership with the goal of rehabilitating Paces Mill/Palisades Unit, protecting the resource and enhancing the visitor experience.
Benefits of the estimated $13 million makeover of the Unit include:
- A more national park-like visitor experience that realigns the entrance road and repositions the central open meadow and the main parking area.
- Additional river access points with new river-viewing platforms and a wide set of river steps.
- An enhanced and expanded picnic area.
- Upgrades to the existing trail system to minimize conflicts with vehicular traffic inside the park.
- A series of bioswales to filter stormwater runoff before it enters the river.
Below are renderings of the rehabilitation.
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Visitor Information Center
A new visitor information center is a part of the rehabilitation that will feature restrooms and changing rooms.
River Access
Additional river access points with new river-viewing platforms and a wide set of river steps.
Upgraded Trails
Upgrades to the existing trail system to minimize conflicts with vehicular traffic inside the park.
Improved Vehicular Circulation
Improved vehicular circulation at both boat ramps allowing cars and trucks with boat trailers to circulate more easily.
The picture above is an example of a wide set of river steps allowing more access.
Protecting the natural Resources for All
New river viewing platforms will be a major part of the project.
The project’s mission will help parkgoers connect with nature and the river similar to the example seen above.
Timeline
2017
Formal partnership was formed. Barge Design Solutions was selected to develop concept designs for the rehabilitation.
2018
Concept designs complete. Preliminary and engineering planning begins.
2023
Preliminary and engineering was completed. Construction documents finalized.
2024
Construction of Phase One to begin in the Fall.
2025
Expected completion of Phase One in the Spring.
2026
Construction of Phase Two to begin in the Fall. This Phase is dependent on funding.
2026
Estimated construction complete.
