The Dougherty County Board of Commissioners and Albany State University (ASU) will partner on Monday, January 22, 2024, to hold an official Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for the Flint River Trail, ASU to Downtown portion of the Flint River Trail System. The ceremony will occur at 2:30 p.m. at ASU East, Lower Campus, located at 504 College Drive, at the Softball Park at the Hampton Smith Athletic Fields. 

“ASU is proud to be a community partner with Dougherty County. This walking trail has multiple benefits, including extending our campus into the community, connecting to Downtown Albany, and providing a scenic environment where people can focus on their health and well-being, said ASU President Dr. Marion Ross Fedrick. “This trail represents our commitment to promote a great quality of life for our community.” 

"Dougherty County is thrilled to introduce this new segment of the county trail to our community, offering an exciting pathway for the numerous ASU students. Whether running, walking, or biking, students can now seamlessly connect from the ASU campus to Downtown Albany, fostering a vital link between the campus and the heart of the downtown district," expressed Lorenzo L. Heard, Chairman of the Dougherty County Board of Commissioners. 

The 1.3-mile-long concrete multipurpose trail in the Downtown area of Albany offers beautiful scenery and is perfect for walking, biking, or running. The trail spans between the Broad Avenue bridge and Albany State University’s East Campus. 

Designed to follow an existing pathway, the trail starts on the northeast side of the Broad Avenue bridge, travels down the hill, and loops under both the Broad Avenue bridge and the Oglethorpe Boulevard bridge. From there, it heads south for several hundred yards before climbing to the top of the large berm running between the ASU campus and the Flint River. 

Albany State University is excited about this opportunity and looks forward to this added connection to the community.