Dobbins Finishes Decades-Long Jogging Path Project

By Brad Fallin
94th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

After many years of extensive planning and hard work by many people here on there is a safe walking and jogging trail connecting the Dobbins Inn with the former Navy gym on the southwest side of the Dobbins runway.

This approximately three-mile long, paved trail provides an uninterrupted path for anyone with access to the base to enjoy while getting a good workout; safely.
The final section of the trail runs between the Base Exchange and the west end of the runway and is nearing completion with the finishing touches currently being wrapped up.

This section was primarily completed with the 1-171st Aviation Regiment of the Georgia Army National Guard in mind in order to give them a safe connection to the former Navy gym while also connecting to the Connor's Way trail and Dobbins Inn. Connor's Way trail is named in honor of Charles "Doug" Connor and was completed and dedicated to him in June of 2008.

Connor worked in the Dobbins Safety office for more than 18 years and prior to that he served 26 years on active duty for the Air Force with his last 15 years in the safety career field. As a safety professional, Doug had a vision in the mid-1980s to create a walking path between lodging and the base exchange area in order to enhance the safety of personnel that had to walk from the lodging area up to the facilities in and around the B.X.

Connor worked very hard on the project for many years but due to various budgeting and timing reasons, was not able to get the project funded before his retirement in September of 2003, after 48 years of dedicated service.

After Connor's untimely death in 2007, Ron Durant, Wing Ground Safety manager, decided he was going to complete this project and make Connor's vision a reality.  With diligence and hard work, the long sought after project is nearly complete and the long held safety vision of Doug Connor will be a reality for everyone to enjoy.