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40 maconmagazine.com | OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2021 social, economic and environmental goals through public spaces. The initiative began in five cities, and Macon joined the expansion as one of five additional cities in the Civic Commons Learning Network making strategic investments in public spaces across the country. The expansion of the Ocmulgee Heritage Trail is the project for this initiative. The idea is to expand the trail from a recreation experience along the river into a bike and pedestrian trail connecting core neighborhoods, such as Pleasant Hill and east Macon, to downtown. "The biggest benefit from being part of the RCC is it allows us to centralize partnerships and the interconnectivity of the work of so many organizations and provide new ways to partner," said Morrison. "It helps us think through how our projects affect the people near them and how to make that tent bigger, giving a voice to more people throughout the way. Homes in Pleasant Hill and Mill Hill have been sold to first-time homebuyers, and they will live in better, more connected communities because of our RCC work." The initial master plan for the Ocmulgee Heritage Trail is set to come together in about five years, and while that is still being worked on, Sheridan and his committee already are working on what they call "Master Plan 2.0." The initial plans include going farther north with the trail, but they are still tossing around ideas and welcome any suggestions from the community. "We want neighborhoods to be represented and connected to the trail," said Ford. "Having those suggestions for their neighborhood would be very helpful." "The whole purpose of the trail is to connect this community together, and the best way for that to happen is to have community involvement," said Sheridan. Mail your ideas for Master Plan 2.0 to Mike Ford at NewTown Macon, 555 Poplar St., Macon, GA 31201. TOUR TICKETS AVAILABLE UNTIL OCT. 7 hello@maconmagazine.com • 478.746.7779 ADVERTISE WITH US! Live Well is a special advertising section spotlighting local businesses in our December/January issue.