Two New Parks for Carroll County, GA

CARROLL COUNTY, GA, 10/30/03 – This week the Trust for Public Land (TPL) handed over two properties as public open space that will protect drinking water for Carroll County, Georgia. The protections utilize funding from the Georgia Greenspace Act, which TPL played a leading role in creating.A significant portion of the Upper Little Tallapoosa River watershed and a tributary of the watershed, Buffalo Creek, will be conserved and provide protection of a significant drinking water source for the City of Carrollton and Carroll County.

The protected area of the Upper Little Tallapoosa watershed is a 12,556-acre riverfront property providing a 1,000 foot buffer for the river and will be managed by the County’s Parks Department. This acquisition is part of the Upper Little Tallapoosa source water protection program, and is consistent with the April 2003 Source Water Stewardship Exchange recommendations for land conservation along the Little Tallapoosa River. The Upper Little Tallapoosa is one of four pilot watersheds in the United States selected to showcase and demonstrate land use conservation and forest management practices for source water protection under an EPA grant obtained by TPL. The tract will also serve as a key access point and trailhead for a new 400-acre regional park currently being assembled by the county with the help of TPL.

The Buffalo Creek property is 26-acres designated as wetlands and home to a diverse mix of plants, shrubs, hardwoods, and wildlife. The site is also culturally and historically significant, having been part of “Hay’s Mill” – the only working grist mill within the city during the early 1900s. Ruins of the former grist mill are located close by. The site will eventually be used by the City of Carrollton as a community park with nature trails and interpretive signage.

The Trust for Public Land (TPL) is a national nonprofit land conservation organization that conserves land for people to enjoy as parks, gardens, and other natural places, ensuring livable communities for generations to come. Since its founding in 1972, TPL has helped protect more than 1.6 million acres of land in 46 states. The Trust for Public Land depends on the support and generosity of individuals, foundations, and businesses to achieve our land for people mission. For more information please contact us at (415) 495-4014 or visit us on the web at www.tpl.org