In 2016, Gwinnett County and its partners sought to develop an updated Comprehensive Transportation Plan (CTP) to guide how to invest in transportation in the future. During the CTP planning effort, the County and the planning team identified a need to study the development of a high-quality network of trails to provide innovative ways to travel across the County, a place to exercise and socialize. To respond to this need, the Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners initiated the Countywide Trails Master Plan.

The Gwinnett County Departments of Community Services and Transportation and the County's Cities and Community Improvement Districts developed the Countywide Trails Master Plan. The Master Plan outlines the process for cataloging potential projects, evaluating and selecting projects, estimating the project cost, determining funding options, and developing a prioritized implementation plan. The plan also provides guidance on trail typologies and corresponding design, identifies subnetworks within the system, and includes conceptual examples of wayfinding and branding to create recognition of the system and details the next steps for the County to move forward with implementation.