By Ellie Ritter, contributor 

The city of Avondale Estates is considering creating an opening or gate in a privacy fence that would allow easier access to the East Decatur Greenway trail

The trail starts near the Friends School of Atlanta on Columbia Drive and runs along Kati Kerr Drive, eventually making its way toward the Avondale MARTA station. The proposed access point would make it easier to reach this trail without having to walk along East College Avenue.

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Photo obtained via the city of Avondale Estates

East Decatur Greenway Director Michele Ritan discussed the proposal at the Avondale City Commission’s June 26 work session.

The proposed gate would be added where Exeter Road dead ends at Fairfield Plaza, allowing pedestrians and cyclists to enter and exit Avondale Estates city limits. There’s a privacy fence there now.

Photo obtained from the city of Avondale Estates

“On the other side of the fence is Forrest Boulevard/Craigie Avenue, which is in DeKalb County,” Ritan’s presentation says. “We propose to build an opening or gate in the fence to allow pedestrians and cyclists to exit Avondale Estates and proceed up Craigie Avenue to nearby destinations such as the new East Decatur Greenway Trail, East Decatur Station (restaurants, shops, craft brewing, and amenities), the Avondale MARTA station, and the City of Decatur.”

Ritan said the fence is on public right of way and was erected years ago for reasons unknown. One theory is the fence was intended to thwart criminal activity.

With the new access point, people could access the trail via Craigie Avenue where it intersects with Arcadia Avenue.

Should the gate be approved, construction can begin immediately and will take approximately four months to complete, Ritan’s proposal says.

The City Commission requests resident input at their upcoming Work Session scheduled for Wednesday, July 19, at 5:30 p.m. at Avondale’s City Hall, located at  21 North Avondale Plaza. You can also reach out to members of the City Commission directly through phone or email. For more information about the trail, visit the East Decatur Greenway website.