Birmingham Park Adds Equestrian-Themed Trail Names, Signs

MILTON, GA — New signs with new names for long-beloved trails at Birmingham Park went up this weekend, a project that came together thanks to the volunteer efforts of a Girl Scout troop, the Milton Equestrian Committee, and a local woodworker.

The signs are Milton-esque in their look and wording, with each trail name having an equestrian tie-in. They don’t replace the longstanding color-based naming convention for the trails, in fact, each sign’s wording is in the same color as the corresponding trail. Rather, they add another distinct perspective that further strengthens the association between the equestrian community and Birmingham Park. A total of 24 signs were added across eight trails.

Members of Girl Scout Troop 16217 spent part of last spring and summer working with the Milton Equestrian Committee and Milton Land Conservancy to come up with the names. Those efforts helped earn the troop a Girl Scout Bronze Award, the highest recognition for fourth and fifth-graders in the program.

Now in sixth grade, Troop 16217’s members include Elsie Claypoole, Lyla Elliott, Stella Fennell, Sienna Hostetter, Angela Johnson, Leyton Lightburn, Sarah Nelson, Ellie Tippett, Yara Barazi and MJ Wishert.

Those names were shared with Greg Dustin, who lives down the road from Birmingham Park in Hickory Flat, close to the Milton line. A sales director for Adobe by day, Dustin does woodworking as a hobby. He worked with the Girl Scouts to design the signs using CAM software, then cut, carved, painted, sanded and sealed them with his family.

“It was a pleasure working with the Girl Scouts and everyone else involved in this project,” said Dustin, who is a former Eagle Scout. “What makes it even more special is that we were able to add uniquely Milton equestrian trail names to Milton’s most unique park.”

With the signs made, the next step was getting them in the ground. All players worked closely with the City of Milton, specifically its Parks and Recreation Department. A key first step was getting the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board’s approval of the names, something that happened last fall. Then came the process of purposefully mapping where each sign should go, then how exactly it should be placed.

After a few weather delays, the city’s partners from Tri Scapes put the posts in on Feb. 5 then finished the job by installing the signs on Feb. 12.

“The city is extremely appreciative of all those involved, including the Girl Scouts and Dustin family, for making this happen,” Milton Parks and Recreation Director Tom McKlveen said. “These names and signs are a great fit for Birmingham Park and our equestrian community.”

For more on Milton’s 200-plus acre Birmingham Park, visit online.