Community Conversations Shape the Future of Savannah’s Tide to Town Trails
Savannah is buzzing with excitement as the city begins exploring new ways to reach its neighborhoods through the multi-modal trail project known as Tide to Town. This ambitious plan aims to create a 30-mile loop connecting communities across the city and enhancing accessibility for all. Last month, residents gathered at Windsor Forest High School for one of the public engagement sessions to discuss hopes, dreams, and concerns regarding this significant endeavor.
Looking Back on Bike Rides
Kyle Eckmann, a lifelong Savannah resident who grew up cycling around town, reflected on his adventures from decades past. As a child, he rode his bike everywhere, blissfully unaware of the absence of bike lanes. “It just wasn’t something I thought about as a kid,” Eckmann shared. Fast forward 40 years, and he’s now actively engaging with the city’s plans to improve biking and walking accessibility for everyone.
An Opportunity for Input
The session at Windsor Forest was part of a series of in-person meetings organized by the city to drum up public input. Savannah’s Director of Planning and Urban Design, Bridget Lidy, detailed that the purpose of these meetings is to develop an equitable growth plan. “We want to ensure that the trail offers inclusive access, particularly for neighborhoods that have been historically underserved,” she explained.
All Voices Matter
The recent meetings, which occurred over three days across different parts of Savannah, attracted about 46 residents, as well as members of the city staff and consultants. The locations included Alfred Ely Beach High School for the west side and Jenkins High School for the east side. Local organizations joined the city to facilitate these discussions by setting up five stations, each focused on trail-related topics ranging from housing preservation to economic development.
Listening to Concerns
While the event saw enthusiastic participation, some local leaders voiced concerns regarding the effectiveness of the meetings. Alderwoman Bernetta Lanier deemed the turnout a “failure” and critiqued the chosen venues for being inconvenient for residents in certain neighborhoods, specifically those potentially affected by the trail.
This sentiment seems to have resonated with other council members as well, with calls for future engagement sessions to be held in areas like West Savannah, Woodville, and Hudson Hill. Savannah City Manager Jay Melder addressed these concerns during a recent council meeting, assuring the community that more meetings would follow, especially in neighborhoods impacted by the trail.
Dreaming Big
During the engaging sessions, residents discussed their aspirations for the trail and the surrounding areas. Topics of focus included ensuring that grocery stores, schools, and public transit stops are easily accessible alongside the trail. Many were particularly keen on incorporating green spaces for recreational activities, with suggestions about linking the trail to parks like Bowles C. Ford Park.
Economic discussions circled around how the trail could benefit local businesses, with residents advocating for the inclusion of small, community-oriented shops. “That would really revitalize our neighborhoods,” noted Woodville resident LaTrelle Wright, highlighting the need for the trail’s conceptual path to include more community areas.
Next Steps
Looking ahead, the city has planned more opportunities for community engagement, including roundtables and a bus tour of existing and potential trail locations set for October 19. Additionally, the city is piloting a Tide to Town student internship to help involve younger voices in the planning process. The goal is to gather as much community input as possible to inform future policies that will guide the trail’s development.
“We need this feedback to understand how to prioritize the project,” Lidy said, underlining the importance of community interaction in shaping the trail’s future. By the end of summer 2026, an equitable growth plan is expected to be in place, creating a blueprint for advancements that consider local residents’ needs while guarding against potential gentrification.
As Savannah looks toward the future, the conversations occurring now will undoubtedly pave the way for a more connected and vibrant city, one that honors its residents’ voices.
