Hall County commissioners approved a resolution to get additional parks open on Lake Lanier ahead of the Fourth of July holiday.
The challenge cost-sharing management agreement and partner operations plan will reopen three currently closed parks and ensure six others remain open on the lake.
This comes after the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) announced that 21 boat ramp access parks on the lake would close in May due to staffing shortages, before being reduced to 11 after pushback from state and U.S. legislators.
As of May 30, AccessWDUN reported that nine parks remained closed. Hall County Parks and Leisure Director Brent Holloway noted at Thursday’s board meeting that some of those had trickled back open, but this agreement will allow all parks to reopen regardless of what USACE does.
“This will make sure that regardless of what happens with the Corps of Engineers, they stay open and then we’ll reopen the other ones they closed,” Holloway said.
Hollway did add the contract is for a maximum of one year before they can reassess and figure it out after that.
“Everyone’s gonna have to pull their weight, but we think it’s the right thing to do,” Holloway said.
The agreement seeks the county’s assistance in cost-sharing for performing operations, maintenance, and management activities.
Hall County will assume short-term operational and management for the facilities in exchange for retaining 100% of all user fees collected.
Holloway said that the agreement has not been finalized with USACE as of Thursday, but that he wanted to get the item before the board before the holiday. The length and scope of the agreement is not finalized, but will be before the Fourth of July.
The parks being reopened or staying open are as follows:
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Balus Creek Park (water access point, Mountain View Road, Oakwood)
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Belton Bridge Park (water access point, Belton Bridge Road, Lula)
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Little Hall Park (day use, Little Hall Road, Gainesville)
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Little River Park (day use, Little River Park Road, Gainesville)
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Lula Park (water access point, Shockley Road, Lula)
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Mountain View Park (water access point, N Cove Road, Gainesville)
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Old Federal Park (day use, GC Crow Road, Flowery Branch)
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Robinson Park (day use, Robinson Road, Gainesville)
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Simpson Park (water access point, Simpson Park Road, Gainesville)
