Don Carter State Park set for spring opening

GAINESVILLE - Georgia's Director of state parks, Monday in Gainesville, set the date for the opening of Hall County's Don Carter State Park.

Becky Kelley told Gainesville Rotarians to look for the opening of Georgia's newest state park early this spring.

"We're looking forward to opening the park in April of this year," Kelley said. "Be watching our website and as soon as we can lock down a date to open it we'll be letting the word out."

Kelley said most of the work on the park is complete with its eight cabins, 60 camp sites, 50 trailer pads, beach, boat docks, horse trails, and other amenities. Phase One of the Park represents a $14-million state investment.

"Now we're equipping the cottages, hiring the staff and getting the equipment and supplies in order," Kelley added.

Kelley said DNR has not decided on rates for the cottages or the campsites yet; that should happen over the next few weeks as they are equipped. According to Kelley DNR wants to make sure state parks and historic sites are accessible and affordable.

"There are no plans at this point in time to do anything relative to fees and charges to access the parks but we'll be looking at protecting our resources and making sure our assets are affordable to our citizens," Kelley added.

Kelly said Lake Lanier's low level should have no effect on the park's opening, but she is hoping that level will rise.

"We know Lake Lanier is a popular destination even when there is a low water level.We're going to be praying for rain along the way so that everyone who comes can get easy access to the water and have a great time when they get there."

According to Kelley former Department of Natural Resources Board member Don Carter wanted to give working class Georgians a reasonably priced location to enjoy the outdoors, and that drove his vision for the park in North Hall County on the Chattahoochee River.

Carter sought to counter a trend on Lake Lanier and statewide where fewer opportunities existed for families, hunters, fishermen and others to have locations to enjoy the outdoors. Timber companies, which had let the State use their properties for recreation, began leasing their property making even fewer locations for outdoor recreation, hunting and fishing.

When he declined reappointment in 2002, Carter, a Gainesville realtor, was honored by having his name given to the 1000 acre park. Carter served 29 years, longer than anyone else, on the state's Board of the Department of Natural Resources.

He and members of his family were present at Monday's Rotary Club meeting at 1st Baptist Church on Green Street where he was once again honored and recognized.