Smithgall Gardens promises $1 million in tourism impact

GAINESVILLE - Gainesville Hall County community leaders Wednesday heard a business plan for Smithgall Woodland Garden that promises a $1 million economic impact beginning next year.

Atlanta Botanical Garden finance director Diana Davis, who presented the plan, said said the garden would sustain itself financially from an endowment, then from operations revenues.

Davis said she expects the garden to draw families from a 20 to 40 mile radius in fast growing Northeast Georgia.

"In our opening year tourism dollars flowing into the community maybe $1 million, $1.5 million in new tourism dollars," Davis said.

According to Davis the initial phase of the 185-acre property will include the Visitor Center, approximately three acres of cultivated gardens and walking trails. Subsequent development phases will add a children's garden, an amphitheater, additional trails, cultivated gardens and an education center.

Davis presented projections that indicate Smithgall Woodland Garden would serve a rapidly growing region.

Hall County is projected to grow 62 percent from its current population of 156,101 to 226,004 by 2015.

By 2015 half of Georgia's population will reside in 12 counties, including: Gwinnett, Fulton, Cobb, Dekalb, Clayton, Henry, Cherokee, Chatham, Forsyth, Hall, Richmond and Muscogee.

Target markets are families with children, adults, day-trippers, tourists and corporations/special events. The garden would routinely attract visitors from within a 40-mile radius that includes Northern Dekalb County, North Fulton County, Cherokee County, Clarke County, Lumpkin County, Dawson County, Forsyth County and Habersham County.

Convention and Visitors Bureau Director Stacey Dickson said Smithgall was made to order.

"We'll be busy marketing it," Dickson said. "We're already pre-marketing it now and as it comes on line it's going to elevate Hall County's profile for tourists."

Dickson said the Garden is the northern 'bookend' for tourism in North Hall County, with Lake Lanier Islands the southern tourism bookend.

A marketing investment of $42,000 is budgeted for the first year, with an additional marketing investment included in subsequent annual operating budgets.

Smithgall Woodland Garden would operate April through October, open on Tuesday