The Georgia Board of Natural Resources has approved 15 conservation and outdoor recreation projects worth about $28 million to receive funding through the Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Program. Among the projects is a plan to build a new multi-million dollar visitor center at Vogel State Park in Union County.
After considering 44 proposals submitted by state agencies, local governments and nonprofit conservation groups, the Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Trust Fund Board of Trustees unanimously approved the following projects:
- $4.2 million for the construction of a new visitor center at Vogel State Park near Blairsville. The existing visitor center, which was built in the 1930s, will be renovated into a Civilian Conservation Corps Museum to expand opportunities for interpretive programming.
- $3 million to develop a 45-acre inclusive/accessible facility known as Ridley Lake Project in LaGrange.
- $3 million for the City of Sandy Springs to acquire easements and construct approximately two miles of multi-use trail and boardwalk.
- $3 million to create outdoor recreational opportunities on a property known as Fisherman’s Co-Op in Bryan County.
- $2.5 million for the City of Tucker to enhance the Johns Homestead Park
- $2.2 million for trail improvements at Sweetwater Creek State Park in Douglas County.
- $1.7 million to acquire approximately 882 acres of property known as the Coleman Tract bordering the northeast corner of Franklin Delano Roosevelt State Park in Harris County.
- $1.5 million to develop Phase Three of the Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center (CEWC) in Jasper County.
- $1.4 million for Groundwork Atlanta, in collaboration with multiple entities, to develop approximately three miles of trail connecting two existing trail systems in the Woodall Creek Conservation Corridor.
- $1.4 million to design and build a passive recreational park and for stream restoration at the Butlers Bridge Park in Henry County.
- $1.1 million to construct boat ramps and improve conservation and stormwater management at Williamson Park (Champney) Public Access Facility in Brunswick.
- $978,274 to conduct large-scale habitat restoration practices on multiple state-owned properties, including reforestation, prescribed burning, and selective herbicide treatments.
- $600,000 to develop Long Swamp Creek Recreation Area in Cherokee County.
- $562,264 to acquire and conserve approximately 1,348 acres in Marion County as an addition to the Chattahoochee Fall Line Wildlife Management Area (WMA).
- $500,000 to acquire approximately 30 acres of land and develop Jake’s Woods Park in Jones County.
These grantees have committed an estimated $20.5 million in matching funds, DNR says. They must now complete the final level of the application process for their proposals.
Third round of funding
In 2018, Georgia voters overwhelmingly approved a constitutional amendment creating a dedicated fund for outdoor recreation projects. The funding comes from a tax on sporting goods purchases.
This marks the third year that grants have been awarded under the state’s stewardship program. Since the Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Act took effect in July 2019, the program has awarded approximately $68 million in grants, including this year’s funding cycle.
In 2021, Vogel State Park was awarded $2.6 million for renovations to its campground. That work is now underway and is expected to continue through early 2023. Amicalola Falls near Dawsonville was also awarded $2.6 million last year for repairs to the entrance to its Appalachian Trail Approach Trail entrance.
