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The City of LaGrange cut the ribbon on the newest section of The Thread on Friday, adding another 1.2 miles to the multi-use urban trail system that weaves through the city and connects communities, parks and local businesses.

The LaGrange-Troup County Chamber of Commerce hosted the ribbon cutting at the bridge on the trail just outside the George Harris Baseball Complex. The event was held on April 25 to coincide with Celebrate Trails Day, which is officially on April 26.

Natalie Hale, Executive Director of Friends Of The Thread (FOTT), said Celebrate Trails Day is a day to get out and celebrate trails that connect the community and connect with nature.

FOTT is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization started in 2016 to oversee and guide expansion of The Thread.

The new section is special because it is the first segment that is completely off-road. The new segment connects the Harris ball fields to the intersection of South Davis Road and Colquitt Street at Nutwood Winery. The new segment connects to the next section that is currently under construction as of now, which will be at Ridley Lake.

W.T. Edmondson Park at Ridley Lake is a new park that the city is building. It’s a 44-acre park that will have a lake stocked for fishing, a kayak launch, an inclusive playground and many other amenities.

FOTT has already secured full funding for the next segment, another 1.2-mile section of The Thread that will loop around the lake, Hale said.

“We already have the funding for it, and have started construction. Clearing started this week,”  Hale said. “It’s going to be done within the next year, we hope by the end of 2025.”

When the proposed trail system is fully completed, The Thread is expected to include over 30 miles of interconnected greenways, side paths and parks around the city.