A Camp & Paddle Trail Groundbreaking Ceremony took place this past Friday at the 3rd stop along the trail at the New Riverlands Park in Chattahoochee Hills and now McIntosh Reserve here in Carroll County will be part of the design process for access points, launch sites, and takeout areas.
This will be a new way to experience the wonders of the Chattahoochee River by having access to kayak and canoe launches along with campsites along the natural scenic route. The inspiration from the Trust for Public Land was to enhance the experience of kayak, canoe, and camping enthusiasts who set out to explore the Chattahoochee River by providing identified launch sites, three priority campsites, and a takeout by building the camp and paddle trail through the heart of Atlanta.
The Trust for Public Land in partnership with the City of Atlanta, Fulton County, the City of Chattahoochee Hills, and Carroll County coupled with a 2.26 million dollar Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Program Grant from the Georgia Department of Natural Resources were able to make this dream become a reality. Plans to have the access points, campsites, and takeout sites should be completed by the arrival of warmer weather in Spring 2024.
The trail encompasses five sites, four jurisdictions, 48 miles of river, and 4 days and 3 nights of connected recreation.
Carroll County Chairman Michelle Morgan attended the groundbreaking ceremony along with County Attorney, Stacey Blackmon, Carroll County Parks Managers Beth Parsons, Peter Trent, Mandi Edwards, State Representative Lynn Smith, and Friends of McIntosh members Alyson Stober, Jerry Stober, and Mitch Clifton. Everyone is very excited about this project and cannot wait to see it come to fruition.
