Steven Emery pries up old boards on bridge.

Steven Emery pries an old board out of an equestrian bridge on a work day at Don Carter State Park.

Steven Emery oversaw trail expansions, construction of new recreation facilities, and endless bridge repairs during his seven years at Don Carter State Park. Emery, the second manager at the state park on Lake Lanier, transferred to Smithgall Woods State Park in Helen in July. He manages the 5,800-acre mountain park known as a trout “angler’s paradise” on Duke’s Creek.

Emery wore many hats during his two years as assistant manager and five years as manager at Don Carter. Visitors would see him filling in at the check-in kiosk, cutting blowdowns off trails, prying old board off equestrian bridges, and leading occasional hikes. Early on he led paddle excursions near the quiet northern end of the lake.

“I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Don Carter,” Emery told Lakeside News by email. “During my time there we opened 11 new miles of hiking trails, made numerous bridge repairs on hiking and equestrian trails, opened 2 new primitive campsites, added 2 new restroom facilities, added a small concession stand at our beach area, added additional picnic tables and grills to expand our day-use area, added a new playground in our cottage area, added a playground and outdoor fitness area to our campground and began work to get a group shelter built at the park.”

Steven Ellis, president of Friends of Don Carter State Park, wrote a fond farewell to Emery on the group’s Facebook page. “Smithgall Woods is mighty lucky to have someone as sharp, hardworking, and diligent as he is. It’s not often in today’s time that you have the opportunity to work alongside someone in a professional manner and come out on the other side as friends, but I certainly like to think that is how it has happened for Steven and nearly anyone he has worked with at Don Carter.”

Emery took the position formerly held by Will Wagner at Smithgall Woods. Wagner served as the first manager at Don Carter when it opened in July 2013.

Photo: courtesy Friends of Don Carter State Park