Paces Mill Makeover
The Paces Mill Unit of the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area (CRNRA) - the southernmost of the fifteen land units that make up the national park - is being considered for major improvements. The National Park Service (NPS) and Cumberland Community Improvement District have entered into an agreement to procure funds for this exciting project. With an estimated 250,000 visitors per year, the area needs to be rehabilitated to resolve design, appearance and infrastructure deficiencies and enhance visitor enjoyment. Issues to be addressed include: vehicular flow, pedestrian flow, changing rooms, trails, river access, pavilion facilities, flooding, and landscaping.
You can learn more about the Paces Mill Rehabilitation Project and provide you comments online here. Written comments should be sent to: Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area, c/o Paces Mill Rehabilitation, 1978 Island Ford Parkway, Sandy Springs, GA 30350. Comment Deadline: July 7, 2019
Help Us Build a Kids Fishing Dock!
Chattahoochee Parks Conservancy (CPC) and the NPS are raising funds to replace the deteriorating kids fishing dock at the pond in the Island Ford Unit in Sandy Springs. For decades, this structure has allowed young people of all ages and abilities to experience the pond for nature lessons and to learn fishing skills, but it must be replaced. The Dunwoody Nature Center, YMCA and special needs organizations, such as Lekotek, bring hundreds of students to the pond and dock every summer and other nonprofit groups, companies and families use the dock throughout the year.
We have almost reached our fundraising goal of $20,000, thanks to generous donors; with another $2500, we will meet that goal and build the new, accessible fishing dock this fall. Will you help us? Your gift in any amount can be made here; note in the comment section that your donation is for the fishing dock, or mail a check to PO Box 769332 Roswell, GA 30076. Thank you!
New Park Signs: Leave No Trace, Exhibits
If you bring it in, take it out! New anti-littering signs have been installed at strategic points throughout the park, thanks to a partnership led by Upper Chattahoochee Chapter of Trout Unlimited with funding and volunteer assistance from CPC, Chattahoochee Riverkeeper, River Through Atlanta and the CRNRA. A $300 fine can be imposed by park enforcement staff for littering; please help us keep our river and trails clean and beautiful!
Have you seen the new Wayside Exhibits in each of the fifteen CRNRA units? These exhibits, which provide trail maps and interpretation of park resources, have been several years in the making; they were funded with a portion of the parking fees and annual passes that YOU purchase to visit the CRNRA. Please thank our park staff for doing a great job with these exhibits!
Tell Congress to Restore our Parks
Our national parks have a growing "deferred maintenance" backlog of nearly $12 billion; this dire situation affects the entire national park system, including the CRNRA, which has a backlog of $14.3 million. Two bills in Congress would greatly increase funding to maintain and repair park assets - from roads, parking lots and restrooms to overlooks, access ramps and trails. CPC strongly supports both of these bills.
Restore Our Parks Act (SB 500) dedicates up to $6.5 billion to the NPS for deferred maintenance over five years, funded by a reallocation of dollars from onshore gas and coal production and offshore oil production. Restore Our Parks and Public Lands Act (HB 1225) would also allocate $6.5 billion from the same sources with the NPS receiving 80% of the funds.
Contact Sen. Johnny Isakson and Sen. David Perdue TODAY and ask them to co-sponsor SB 500. Isakson: 202-224-3643/770-661-0999. Perdue: 202-224-3521/404-865-0087. If your House Representative is Rep. Tom Graves, Rep. Barry Loudermilk, Rep. John Lewis or Rep. David Scott, ask them to co-sponsor HB 1225; all other Georgia Reps are already co-sponsors and should be thanked.
THINGS TO DO
Volunteer in the Park! Help our national park be the best it can be by donating your time to maintain trails and landscaping, assist with events and youth programs, and help with administrative tasks. Visit www.crnra.vip to get involved.
Family Pond Discovery Programs - Fri, July 12 and July 19 (12,1, and 2pm). Join Ranger Jerry Hightower for informal adventures of discovery at Sibley Pond in the Sope Creek Unit; find and learn about the amazing creatures that live in the pond. More information at 678-538-1200.
Paddling Film Festival World Tour - Sat, Aug 17. Paddle4Tomorrow and CPC are hosting this film festival at the Chattahoochee River Environmental Education Center. Stay turned for details on the FREE registration and films that will be shown.
Walk & Talk Series - Sun, Sept 15. Geology in the Park with Bill Witherspoon. CPC members will receive a notice for registration prior to the general public; join today here and get first dibs on this FREE outing; space is limited.
Chattahoochee River Kayak Series - Summer 2019. Join REI on kayak tours in the CRNRA, designated the first National Water Trail in 2012. Details and registration here.
REI Paddle-Camp Extravaganza - Sat/Sun, Oct 5-6. SAVE THE DATE! Join CPC and REI for a weekend of fun and adventure in the park. Stay tuned for details.
Become a member of Chattahoochee Parks Conservancy today!
As a member, you can help us achieve our vision of an inspired and thriving community of support for the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area. Click here to join!
Chattahoochee Parks Conservancy Inc. is proud to support our Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area, a unit of the national park system managed by the National Park Service.