We're Celebrating Our Members on October 20!
REGISTRATION IS OPEN
Join Chattahoochee Parks Conservancy (CPC) on Sunday, October 20, from 2-4pm in the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area (at the Chattahoochee River Environmental Education Center) for our FREE annual member celebration.
Not a member yet? Join here. You don’t want to miss the tasty snacks, beverages and fun – especially Ranger Jerry Hightower’s presentation, 600 Million Years of Chattahoochee River History: Facts, Fables, and Downright Lies! Space is limited, so please register here as soon as possible.
At the celebration, we will thank and recognize special park volunteers and supporters. You’ll meet CRNRA Superintendent Bill Cox and the CPC board of directors, including our new leadership team: Phillip Hodges (President – see below), Bob Ruby (Vice-President), Jay Bogan (Secretary) and Graham Dorian (Treasurer). And, the accomplishments that our park friends group has made over the past year will be highlighted, along with future plans. For questions about the event or registration, please contact us at info@chattahoocheeparks.org.
Symposium Gathers Trail Planners, Advocates
Nearly seventy local officials, tourism and civic leaders, and park advocates met in mid-September at the Island Ford Visitor Center for the 3rd Annual River Park Symposium organized by CPC and hosted by the National Park Service (NPS). The event, which focused on land and water trails in the Chattahoochee River corridor, was sponsored by Visit Sandy Springs and Cox Enterprises.
During the half-day symposium, Superintendent Bill Cox gave a highly-informative “state of the park” address, which you can read here. Local recreation officials provided updates on trail and facility planning in their jurisdictions and the ways that these investments will enhance the national park.
Trust for Public Land presented on the emerging Chattahoochee RiverLands vision and the alternatives for the 100-mile multi-modal path; the public will have an opportunity to review these alternative plans in November. Thanks to all of our presenters and participants!
Fixing Our Park!
Better Trails: Last year, consultant Applied Trails Research (ATR) conducted the first-ever assessment of the condition of the 83 miles of trails in the CRNRA with funding support from CPC. View the final report here. Three park units with severely degraded trails were identified for re-development plans: East Palisades, Sope Creek/Cochran Shoals and Vickery Creek. This winter, ATR trail experts will conduct detailed field evaluations in these units.
In the meantime, the NPS Denver Service Center is working on an environmental assessment for trail system improvements and the CRNRA plans to strengthen its trail management team with a new position.
New Kids Fishing Pier: The old fishing pier in the Island Ford Unit will be replaced this fall. Funds needed for this project have been raised and CPC is working with a contractor. Stay tuned!
New CPC Board President: Phillip Hodges
We are pleased to announce that Phillip Hodges is CPC’s new board president, as of October 1, 2019, taking over this position from Sally Bethea who has led the organization since 2017. A certified public accountant who is retired from the firm of Ernst & Young, Phillip served as our board treasurer for the past several years, ably managing our finances as the organization’s annual revenue grew five-fold. His interests include most outdoor activities, particularly canoeing, kayaking and hiking. Notably, Phillip thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail in the 1970s and, today, serves on the board of the Georgia Appalachian Trail Club. He also serves on the board of trustees for the National MS Society, Georgia Chapter.
Phillip says: “Everyone in the Atlanta region should be interested in helping CPC make our national park the best it can be, while at the same time protecting our water supply. We owe a big thank you to those who, more than four decades ago, had the vision to create the park. Now, let’s all support and improve what we were given!”
Park and Nature News
Park Symposium Brings Together Trail Planners and Advocates
National Parks Worth More Than $100B
Chattahoochee RiverLands – River Stories
Why Doctors Are Prescribing Nature
Things to Do
Volunteer in the Park! Help the CRNRA by donating your time to maintain trails and assist with events, youth programs and administrative tasks. Visit www.crnra.vip to get involved. Give forty hours and get a free CRNRA annual parking pass. Monthly volunteer meetings are held at Island Ford Visitor Center; the next one is scheduled for October 10. Volunteer calendar here.
REI Paddle-Camp – Sat/Sun, Oct 5-6. Join CPC and REI for a weekend of fun and adventure at the Abbotts Bridge Unit. Details and registration here!
Trail Work Day at Cochran Shoals – Sat, Oct 19. Meet at 8:45am at the Columns Drive parking area. For details and registration, contact NPS Volunteer Coordinator Dave Thomas at david_a_thomas@nps.gov.
Autumn Campfire and Round the Pond Safari at Sope Creek - Sat, Oct 19 (7-9pm). Join Ranger Jerry Hightower for a fun-filled fall evening. All ages welcome. Reservations required at 678-538-1200.
CPC Member Celebration – Sun, Oct 20. REGISTER TODAY! Enjoy food, beverages, volunteer recognition and camaraderie at this annual event, to be held this year at the Chattahoochee River Environmental Education Center (CREEC) in Johns Creek. Details and links above.
Paddling Film Festival – Sat, Oct 26. Join Paddle4Tomorrow and CPC at the Chattahoochee River Environmental Education Center in Johns Creek for this FREE event. For a sneak preview, go here. Registration required here.
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 is proud to support our Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area, a unit of the national park system managed by the National Park Service.
