State Park named after Gainesville man

GAINESVILLE - Don Carter&#39;s 29 years of service on state boards, including the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, has earned him a state park. <br> <br> The DNR board recently voted to call the 1400 acres north of the rowing venue in Hall County &#34;Don Carter State Park.&#34; <br> <br> Burt Weerts, Director of Georgia State Parks and Historic Sites, said the park essentially exists now, but that money for development is down the road. &#34;In our next year&#39;s budget request, I will submit a request for funds, probably about 2, $2.5 million to begin first phase development. But unfortunately as we all know, the state is in financial restraints.&#34;<br> <br> Weerts went on to say that with Carter&#39;s name, the park could draw more interest. The park is expected to be designed as a traditional state park, with camping, shelters, trails, picnic areas and a possible swimming beach and boat ramp. Weerts said Carter&#39;s service to the board was exemplary.<br> <br> Carter, a well-known Gainesville businessman, was appointed to the DNR board in 1973 by Jimmy Carter. &#34;He&#39;s the longest sitting board member I know in the history of the board of natural resources, and I imagine one of the longest sitting board members of any state board that&#39;s appointed by the governor,&#34; said Weerts.<br> <br> Don Carter State Park had been informally called Chattahoochee River State Park.

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