RECREATION and TOURISM

Recreation and tourism is big business these days. Thanks to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Resources Division and Seven Rivers RC&D, the Traders Hill Park, located in Charlton County has a very nice fishing pier. The pier was installed in the summer of 1998. Traders Hill is located along the scenic St. Mary’s River seven miles south of Folkston on Georgia Routes 23 and 121. The park offers other amenities which include camping, picnic tables, barbecue grills, boat ramp, and nature trails.

William Mizell Regional Museum / Visitors' Center

The Council has played a significant role in the establishment of the City of Folkston's William Mizell Regional Museum/Visitors' Center. The purpose of this project is to improve economic opportunities in Charlton County and Southeast Georgia and to highlight the importance of forestry in this region of the state.

Several phases of the project have been completed which include landscaping and beautification, and the restoration of a historic greenhouse. Future plans area to construct museum exhibits and displays. The Council was approved several grants for this project.

Promoting Eco-Tourism in Southeast Georgia

The Altamaha River Partnership was formed in 1998 to promote nature-based tourism and associated economic development opportunities within the eleven counties
bordering the Altamaha River.The partnership includes representatives from each of the eleven counties, Coastal Georgia and Seven Rivers RC&Ds, Georgia Tech, Heart of Georgia Altamaha RDC, The Nature Conservancy, Tourism Boards, Georgia Power, Georgia EMC, Department of Community Affairs, and river outfitters.

The coalition was successful in securing funds to have a feasibility study completed by Georgia Institute of Technology. The group established committees to prioritize and address some of the concerns included in the completed study. As a result of the group's planning efforts, the Altamaha River Partnership has been instrumental in securing over $2 million in grants for the improvements of the river boat landings and development of promotional material for the region.

Altamaha River Partnership Canoe Trail Map

Through the restoration grant support of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Georgia Wildlife Resources Division, the Altamaha River Partnership has developed a very attractive and informative Altamaha River Canoe Trail Map and Adventure Guide.

The brochure, which provides a detail map of the river and boat landings along the trail, will be available at local, regional, and state welcome/visitors centers. Seven Rivers is grateful to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources for providing their support to the ARP and the council.htm in this endeavor.