LIMESTONE COUNTY —
With winter weather alternating between frigid temperatures and icy winds to breezy and almost-springtime conditions, area residents will have ample opportunity to spend time outdoors at recreational areas in Limestone County.
Cowford Campground is scheduled to reopen Jan. 7, while the Richard Martin Trail is open year-round to walkers, joggers, cyclists and horseback riders.
Earlier this month, the Limestone County Commission accepted a $28,000 Recreational Trails Program grant from the state for the Richard Martin Trail.
Mike Nave, director of county parks and recreation, said a majority of the money would be used for trail maintenance.
The 10.2-mile trail is located near Elkmont in the northern part of the county. The trailhead begins at Piney Chapel Road, just off Alabama 127, and winds north to Veto at the Tennessee state line.
“It’s very popular and it gets more popular every year since we completed it several years ago,” Nave said. “We have some areas that have erosion, where it’s weathering and the trail has gotten narrower. There’s probably about 500 yards that’s very steep, and we’ll use a lot of the money to repair that.”
The County Commission also approved a slight rate increase to the sewer-accessible campsites at Cowford, which is located in the Round Island recreational area on 8700 Cowford Road. The campground is closed in December for maintenance, but campsites are available from early January through November.
“From March through October, we’re at 85 percent (capacity),” Nave said. “And during the holidays we’re close to 100 percent full most of the time. We try to always have a lot or two available for people who don’t make reservations.”
The new rates are $19 daily, $120.75 weekly and $336 monthly. The previous rates were $18 daily, $110 weekly and $315 weekly.
Nave said the increase would help offset the cost of providing sewage at 46 of the 48 campsites. All of the campsites have water and electric connections.
“Over the past several years, we’ve been developing the campsites in phases, and the last thing we did was put in sewer access,” Nave said. “The rate increase will help us recover a little bit of the sewers’ cost of the last three or four years and help us with the utilities at the sites getting higher and higher.
“Compared to the parks our size, we’re cheaper than everyone else,” he said.
The campground landing allows for fishing. It also has a sandy beach area for swimming and boat launches with a floating pier. There is also a handicapped-accessible bathhouse and laundry room for campers.
For more information, visit www.limestoneparks.com.
Local News
Campground, trail provides recreation options
- Local News
-
-
Miller hired to oversee News Courier operations
Katherine Miller has been named general manager of The News Courier in Athens.
-
Holladay says he will be ‘assertive’ leader
New school lead says he looks forward to “serving and leading the Athens school system.”
-
Officials offer up wisdom to grads
It’s after “Pomp and Circumstance,” after the pats on the back and the parents beaming with pride.
That’s when reality kicks in for a high school graduate.
Now what? -
Sheriff seeks school officers
With funding already secured, the sheriff and Limestone superintendent plan to provide certified school resource officers at every elementary campus in the county school system beginning in August, but more applicants are being sought to allow rotation of a part-time pool of SROs.
- Three arrested in Athens on meth-related charges
-
Man OK after train pushes his truck 500 feet
John Paul Moore, 22, suffered only a few scratches and bruises after the crash Friday at a railroad crossing in Glencoe, about 6 miles southeast of Gadsden.
-
Drug maker recalls meds in 13 states
Main Street Family Pharmacy of Newbern, Tenn. shipped the tainted medicine to clinics in 13 states, including to one clinic in Alabama.
- Gov. Bentley looks at options for state boards
-
More police presence on the roads this weekend
Athens Police Chief Floyd Johnson said more officers will be out in force this weekend. More patrol cars will be seen in high-density areas, he said, while officers may also be conducting roadblocks in lower traffic areas.
-
New Hope man arrested for failing to register as a sex offender
- More Local News Headlines
-
Miller hired to oversee News Courier operations
Raw: Train Derails After Overpass Collapse
Raw: Rescues From San Antonio Flooding
Raw: French Soldier Stabbed in Throat Near Paris
Mayor: Person Killed in San Antonio Flooding
Raw: Apple 1 Computer Sells for More Than $650k
Hagel Urges Cadets to End Scourge of Sex Assault
Raw: Gay Rights Activists March in Ukraine
Bus Fire Kills 16 Children, Teacher in Pakistan
Raw: Pakistan Election Results Protested
Raw: Trucker Bumps I-5 Bridge Before Collapse
Raw: Texas Deputy Shot by Colo. Suspect Honored
Major Detours Following Wash. Bridge Collapse
American Held in Grisly Czech Murders
Raw: Jersey Shore Reopens for Summer
UK-bound Pakistan Plane Diverted, 2 Men Arrested
