According to a release issued by Friends of Georgia State Parks last week, last year 10 million people visited Georgia’s state parks. Parks across the state generated more than $769 million.
“For every $1 appropriated to the Parks Division of the Department of Natural resources, the sate and local economy gets $33 in return,” said Andy Fleming, executive director of Friends of Georgia State Parks and Historic Sites.
Fleming notes that the $33 that go into the economy are tourism dollars that are spent on gas, hotels and dining. This is something that Beth Grubbs, director of the Convention, Business and Visitors Bureau, reiterates.
“Those numbers really speak for themselves,” she said.
Local state parks brought in a small portion of that tourism pie. New Echota had 13,141 visitors according to Fleming, and brought in $1.4 million, enough to sustain 12 jobs in Gordon County.
Chief Vann House in Chatsworth brought in $1.2 million with 15,333 visitors and Fort Mountain in Chatsworth brought in $6.6 million with 105,319 visitors, enough to cover 77 jobs, Fleming said.
These numbers are strong despite massive budget cuts that hit local parks last June.
“We are concerned that the substantial reductions in funding for state parks and historic have already taken a toll on staffing, programming, repairs and maintenance at every site. We fear that further reductions will result in the closures across the state and the loss of important economic resources in some of our most economically challenge communities,” Fleming said.
But many funds could be lost in potential projects that might never come to fruition. Grubbs pointes out that while the loss of the Resaca Battlefield won’t have any major financial destination; it is a loss of income.
“It (the Resaca Battlefield) would have more of an impact on tourism because civil war tourism is more of an attraction,” Grubbs said.
Fleming also noted a lot of the gaps left in personnel due to budget cuts has been filled by hundreds of dedicated volunteers. Last year Friends of Georgia State Parks provided more than 54,000 volunteer hours, and Fleming says that translates to $1.2 million work of service.
- New Echota, based in Gordon County offers a one-mile walking trail, Coosawattee River Fishing and Boat Ramp, and replicas of historic homes. It if the former Cherokee capital. Last year New Echota had 13,141 visitors.
- Chief Vann housesits on 109 acres in Chatsworth. It is the former home of Cherokee Indian Leader, James Vann. There is a 1/2 nature trail and picnic areas.
- James H “Sloppy” Floyd State Park is 561 acres in Summerville named after Floyd who was a member of the House of Representatives from 1950-1974. It features the Coosawattee River Fishing and Boat Ramp and walking trails.
- Cloudland Canyon is a 3,485 acre park located on Western Edge of Lookout Mountain and features camping sites. In 2009 Cloudland Canyon had 201,316 visitors.
- Red Top Mountain State Park and Lodge is 1,776 acres on Lake Allatoona. It features campsites, cabins and a yurt. The park has a 3/4 walking trail. In 2009 Redtop had 1,500 visitors.
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