Forsyth County and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers have finalized a management agreement  that will shift certain responsibilities from the Corps to the county for five Lake Lanier parks and water access areas.

The Corps previously managed the areas.

Forsyth County will be contributing services to the following locations through the partnership:

  • Tidwell Water Access
  • Vann’s Tavern Water Access
  • Two Mile Creek Day Use Park
  • Keith’s Bridge Day Use Park
  • Long Hollow Day Use Park.
View of Long Hollow Park with lake in the background and trees and boat ramp in the foreground.

Long Hollow Day Use Park

“This agreement has been in the works for several months in partnership with the Corps that will ultimately lead to the county taking on the role of bringing the standard of the parks to what our residents are used to at recreation locations while the Corps focuses on the capital improvements on the properties,” said Assistant County Manager Tony Tarnacki.

“We anticipate being able to offset the maintenance costs needed through usage fee collection.

Ultimately, being able to ensure these parks remain open to the public with a great experience for visitors while allowing the Corps to focus more on their key areas of management on Lake Lanier is a win.”

The new agreement is in addition to other similar cost sharing and lease agreements with the Corps for the county’s operation/maintenance of 12 Lake Lanier parks, campgrounds, and water access facilities.

Additional Lake Lanier recreation facilities currently managed in partnership with the USACE include:

  • Sawnee Campground
  • Bald Ridge Campground
  • Charleston Park
  • Mary Alice Park
  • Shady Grove Campground
  • Six Mile Creek Park
  • Young Deer Creek Park

View of Keith's Bridge Park with picnic table in wooded area on the left and trees and lake in background.“(The Corps) appreciates Forsyth County’s partnership and continued support of public recreation at Lake Lanier,” said USACE Lake Lanier Operations Project Manager Tim Rainey. “This agreement helps keep these parks open, maintained and available for visitors.”

For more information visit www.parks.forsythco.com and follow Forsyth County Parks & Recreation on Facebook and Instagram.

Long Hollow Photo: by Russell Lundstrum