By Ben Robinson, Courier Staff

EASLEY — People from across the county showed up on the Easley campus of Tri-County Technical College last week to gain a better understanding of plans for the proposed Doodle Trail between Pickens and Easley.

Alta Planning and Design representative Blake Sandersdiscusses the plans for the proposed Doodle Trail between Pickens and Easley at a community meeting last week in Easley. Ben Robinson/Courier

The trail, roughly duplicating the path of the Pickens Doodle Railway — a rail service one used by workers in the pre-depression era — would create a clear connection between the two towns, celebrating a common bond in history.

The plan calls for the construction of the trail in six phases.

Phase one: Structural improvements and repair of bridges. Cost: $344,000.

Phase two: Pave 2.7 miles of trail from downtown Pickens to Wolf Creek. Cost: $873,000.

Phase three: Pave 2.7 mile of trail from Wolf Creek to Rices Creek. Cost: $804,000.

Phase four: Pave 2.1 miles of trail from Rices Creek to downtown Easley. Cost: $1.03 million.

Phase five: Build Pickens trailhead. Cost: $1.01 million.

Phase six: Build Easley trailhead. Cost: $1.01 million.

Blake Sanders, senior designer with Alta Planning and Design, the company hired to develop the Doodle Trail, said the trail could feasibly be opened in the next two to three years. The trail could be opened as a natural surface trail sooner than that.