Talladega County, Al
Latest About Coosa River Annex Property
As of June 2009, we are awaiting the decision from the Attorney General
for a ruling on the Board that was approved by Governor Riley. We are
working with several of the local officials to discuss how this development
can move forward and bring the benefits to a badly needed area.
We will keep you up to date on any progress as it occurs.
January 2009 Update
Cheaha Trail Riders, Inc. have worked long and hard to see 2833 acres of National Park Service (NPS) property to be developed into a multi-recreational facility with OHV trails at its core. As is proven by OHV Parks throughout the USA, these venues generate millions of revenue dollars annually for the local communities and this park would do the same. The Talladega property is formally the Coosa River Annex Depot which was developed just prior to World War II as an ammunition depot. The Brecon area was, at that time, a powder and ammunition producing facility for the war effort. The National Park Service was given responsibility for the property and was to give the property away as a result of Base Closure and Realignment.
Our Core Team has been fighting to see the development of this property into a first class complex, which we call TMARC (Talladega Motorized And Recreational Complex). We have placed our full support behind the City of Lincoln, Alabama. The City of Lincoln accepted our proposal and ten-year plan and are fully on board with our plan. Lincoln has stated that they want to see a regional park that will benefit all of the surrounding communities and the State of Alabama and not just be another local park. They want to attract tourism into the area and take advantage of the revenue that it would generate. Lincoln placed their NPS application for the property back in early summer 2008 hoping the NPS will award them the transfer of the property soon. In January 2009, the NPS accepted Lincoln's Plan and have requested that Talladega County deed the property to the City of Lincoln. Lincoln's plan has the support of OHV manufacturers throughout the USA promising grant funds, equipment, advertising, promotions and a host of other benefits should Lincoln receive the property and develop OHV within the park. Dealers from around the State of Alabama have also pledged their support for Lincoln along with many OHV Clubs and organizations. Governor Bob Riley sent a letter of support to Lincoln along with the Alabama Commissioner of DCNR.
Our Core Team has designed a multitude of recreational venues for the property which are included in Lincoln's POU. We have presented over nine states revenue impact studies supporting our estimates of revenue that could be generated for the surrounding businesses. These revenue estimates could be well over $10 million annually to the area when the park is fully mature in ten years. This would be a fantastic boost to the area economy and to the State of Alabama.
Some of the venues, but not all, that we have included in the development are:
- Over 150 miles of OHV Trails
- 700 foot OHV Mud Bog for competition events, misting tunnels, washing stations
- ZipRider (zip line) just over 3800 feet in length (see www.ziprider.com)
- Equestrian and Livestock Arenas and Center and Equestrian Trail Systems
- Hiking, Biking, Bicycling and Walking Trail Systems
- Over 300 Campsites from primitive to luxury with a swimming pool for the campers
- Restroom Facilities throughout, Pavilion Rentals (For Family and Corporate Outings), Picnic Areas
- Welcome Center
- Motocross Facilities
- Skateboard and Rollerblade Facilities and Rock Climbing Walls
- Several stocked lakes with walking trails around each
- Indoor Pistol ranges and rifle range, archery, BB, Pellet, etc.
- National Class Paint Ball Courses both natural and competition style
- Remote control airplane and car facility, go-kart racing facility
- Scenic viewing tower on top of Gents Mtn.
And much more!
Below are some pictures of the complex as it exists today. There are over 136 igloos within the property along with beautiful scenic overlooks, streams, ponds, turkey, deer and other local critters. We are asking that everyone place their support behind the City of Lincoln to be awarded this property. If you would like for us to keep you informed, you may email us at: comments@cheahatrailriders.com
We will be happy to put you on our email list. If you have already completed one of our Ride Surveys, we should already have you on our email list. We promise not to send you frivolous emails, just information pertinent to OHV and especially the status of the Talladega property.
TMARC Pictures (Click on Pictures to Enlarge)
1-Sign at Entrance, 2-Front Entrance Road, 3-One of the Ponds, 4-One of the Streams
1-Scenic Oak, 2-Fall Foliage on Gents Mtn., 3-Scenic Overlook on Gents Mtn., 4-Trail on Gents Mtn. which use to be old guard road.
1-Outside of one of the 136 igloos, 2-Inside an igloo.
If you are interested in riding the property and having someone show you around
the different trails, you may contact Keith Eady at Talladega Cycle Sales.
(Keith is not associated with Cheaha Trial Riders, Inc. and would be performing this function
as a private individual and not on behalf of the Cheaha Trail Riders, Inc.)
Click Here to Email Keith Eady
Directions/Maps
The property is located in East Central Alabama about 9 miles south of
Interstate20 between Birmingham, Al and Atlanta, Ga. It is almost adjacent
to the northeast side of the Talladega, Alabama city limits in an area called
Brecon. It is ride at your own risk.
Click Here for Directions, GPS Overview of Existing Trails and Picture of Front Gate
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