Attention fitness and nature lovers: Part of new path opens today

ATLANTA — This morning, there's another option for nature and fitness lovers.

The first portion of the Peachtree Creek Greenway opens to the public Thursday morning.

It's a project that has been years in the making.

It's a big deal because the plan is for it to connect several northeast metro communities to The BeltLine.

The first portion of that path runs between North Druid Hills Road and Briarwood Road in Brookhaven along the North Fork Peachtree Creek.

The path is expected to extend 12 miles when it is completed.

"Having this in our backyard is going to be great for our business, for our members and our employees. They can take a break and go out there," REI manager Marc Reich said.

The project will be built in segments and is expected to cost more than $35 million.

Supporters say it will be worth every penny.

The big benefit, Peachtree Creek Greenway Chair Betsy Eggers said, is "the impact of what it has on the health of our children … when they have a safe place to ride bikes."

Cox Media Group