Athens-Clarke County pursues westside Beech Haven Park

A small stretch of the Middle Oconee River (Lara Dua-Swartz/WUGA)

Plans to create a new public park will move forward on Athens’ West side.

Beech Haven Park has remained untouched for over 100 years, but will be transformed into a public park that honors the area’s history. The current plan is to add a multi-use trail to connect Beech Haven Park to Ben Burton Park, along with other structural improvements.

The 149-acre area features an Arts-and-Crafts style house, stone bridges, and garden walls. It was created in 1910 by businessman Charles Rowland II as a summer retreat for his wife, Effie, and is located along the Middle Oconee River.

The Athens-Clarke County Government is now pursuing the purchase of four acres at 4 Beech Haven Drive, where the historic home is located. The local government plans to use the house as the park’s office.

This article comes to Now Habersham through a news partnershp with WUGA