City of Marietta asks for citizen input for study on Mountain to River Trail

A paved trail abruptly ends in a grassy patchAbrupt break in the Mountain to River Trail in the Fair Oaks community (Photo: Larry Johnson/Cobb County Courier)

Marietta is seeking citizen input for a study on the Mountain to River Trail.  The city posted the following notice on its website:

The City of Marietta is conducting a study on the Mountain to River (M2R) trail and needs the community’s input. 

“On Saturday, August 12, 2023, during the Marietta Square Farmer’s Market, City staff will have a table where the community can share thoughts on the trail and let us know what you would like to see in the area.

“Please visit the city table at the Marietta Square Farmers Market to provide much needed feedback. The farmers market is held at 41 Mill Street, Marietta, GA from 9am-12pm.”

About the Mountain to River Trail

The Mountain to River Trail, even in its incomplete state, is a popular destination. When completed it will connect the Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park to the Chattahoochee River in Cobb County’s Cumberland area.

The trail holds an increased importance in the region now that the Chattahoochee RiverLands project is underway. 

The Cobb County Greenways and Trails Master Plan refers to  the Mountain to River Trail as one of the two spines, along with the Silver Comet Trail, of Cobb’s existing trails network.

The master plan  describes the M2R as follows:

More than 15 years in the making, the Mountain to River Trail stretches from Kennesaw Mountain through Marietta Square and down Atlanta Rd to the Cumberland area and the Chattahoochee River. With just one small ¾-mile gap in unincorporated Cobb County left to fill, the trail will connect pedestrians and cyclists from the mountain to the river, linking separated trail systems throughout the County. Travelers are currently able to begin their journey on the Noonday Creek Trail and travel south to Kennesaw Mountain and into Marietta Square. South of the gap on West Atlanta St, travelers can connect from Dobbins Air Reserve Base into Cumberland, Cobb County’s most active business and entertainment district, and to the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area.

About the City of Marietta

The City of Marietta is the county seat of Cobb County. The latest estimate from the U.S. Census Bureau puts the population of the city at 60,867 which makes it the second largest city in Cobb County by population, smaller only than the newly incorporated City of Mableton.

Here are a few quick facts from the Census Bureau

Marietta city, Georgia
Population, Census, April 1, 202060972
Population, Census, April 1, 201056579
Age and Sex
Persons under 5 years, percent6.7%
Persons under 18 years, percent21.8%
Persons 65 years and over, percent13.2%
Female persons, percent49.9%
Race and Hispanic Origin
White alone, percent53.4%
Black or African American alone, percent(a)32.3%
American Indian and Alaska Native alone, percent(a)0.6%
Asian alone, percent(a)1.9%
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, percent(a)0.0%
Two or More Races, percent4.7%
Hispanic or Latino, percent(b)15.7%
White alone, not Hispanic or Latino, percent46.4%
Population Characteristics
Veterans, 2016-20202678
Foreign born persons, percent, 2016-202016.6%
Housing
Owner-occupied housing unit rate, 2016-202044.0%
Median value of owner-occupied housing units, 2016-2020$310,100
Median selected monthly owner costs -with a mortgage, 2016-2020$1,856
Median selected monthly owner costs -without a mortgage, 2016-2020$526
Median gross rent, 2016-2020$1,145
Families & Living Arrangements
Households, 2016-202024148
Persons per household, 2016-20202.39
Living in same house 1 year ago, percent of persons age 1 year+, 2016-202077.9%
Language other than English spoken at home, percent of persons age 5 years+, 2016-202023.7%
Computer and Internet Use
Households with a computer, percent, 2016-202095.1%
Households with a broadband Internet subscription, percent, 2016-202086.6%
Education
High school graduate or higher, percent of persons age 25 years+, 2016-202088.6%
Bachelor’s degree or higher, percent of persons age 25 years+, 2016-202044.0%
Health
With a disability, under age 65 years, percent, 2016-20206.3%
Persons without health insurance, under age 65 years, percent20.2%
Economy
In civilian labor force, total, percent of population age 16 years+, 2016-202067.2%
In civilian labor force, female, percent of population age 16 years+, 2016-202061.2%
Total accommodation and food services sales, 2012 ($1,000)(c)264544
Total health care and social assistance receipts/revenue, 2012 ($1,000)(c)1584232
Total manufacturers shipments, 2012 ($1,000)(c)1129407
Total retail sales, 2012 ($1,000)(c)1976915
Total retail sales per capita, 2012(c)$33,875
Transportation
Mean travel time to work (minutes), workers age 16 years+, 2016-202028.5
Income & Poverty
Median household income (in 2020 dollars), 2016-2020$59,594
Per capita income in past 12 months (in 2020 dollars), 2016-2020$36,112
Persons in poverty, percent14.1%
Businesses
All firms, 201210501
Men-owned firms, 20124934
Women-owned firms, 20124186
Minority-owned firms, 20124286
Nonminority-owned firms, 20125502
Veteran-owned firms, 20121015
Nonveteran-owned firms, 20128663
Geography
Population per square mile, 20102451.4
Land area in square miles, 201023.08