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Panola Mtn. State Park expanded

Thanks to a collaborative partnership between the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, the Georgia Department of Transportation, The Conservation Fund, and the Arabia Mountain Alliance, one of Georgia's premier state parks serving metropolitan Atlanta has been expanded, important river frontage protected and the oldest home in Rockdale County saved.

The 167-acre property, formally known as the Southerness Golf Course, contains over a mile of frontage along the South River and is adjacent to Panola Mountain State Park in eastern metropolitan Atlanta. The golf course was in financial distress and the potential for residential development loomed on the horizon. Yet, through a collaboration between two state agencies and two nonprofit organizations, this property is now a part of Panola Mountain State Park.

Using risk capital from its revolving fund, The Conservation Fund purchased the property on behalf of the state, guaranteeing its protection until public funding became available. Strapped for funding resources, DNR reached out to GDOT with a proposal to use wetlands restoration and river protection project funds to assist in the acquisition. GDOT was able to purchase 58 acres and will enter into an agreement with DNR for the management of the property as an expansion of Panola Mountain State Park. The remaining portion of the property was purchased by DNR with a combination of private, federal and state dollars.

"Panola Mountain State Park is a National Natural Landmark-designated property that offers environmental education and outdoor recreation opportunities to millions of metro-Atlanta residents", said DNR Commissioner Noel Holcomb. "Governor Perdue has championed the protection of important natural resources while at the same time challenging us to leverage our limited funds to the greatest extent possible. The 'coming together' of so many agencies and organizations to protect and expand this important park is outstanding. I'm especially excited about the collaboration with GDOT and the joint partnership model we've created of two state agencies working to accomplish great things."

GDOT Commissioner Harold Linnenkohl also recognizes the importance of this collaboration. "I am proud to say that the leadership teams from both GDOT and DNR have been working hard to make this acquisition happen. We have the common goal of restoring the natural flow of the stream that was dammed to create the golf course lake. We will also be working together to protect the wetlands and buffer areas along the South River to provide habitat areas for migratory birds and other wildlife species."

The Conservation Fund's regional director, Rex Boner, said, "We were delighted to cooperate with DNR, GDOT and the Arabia Mountain Alliance to protect this critical property for public use and benefit."

The Arabia Mountain Alliance has been working for years to secure greenspace and park properties in the Arabia Mountain/Panola Mountain area to create a major greenway corridor from the city of Lithonia to the South River and into Rockdale County to the Monastery of the Holy Spirit. Kelly Jordan, longstanding leader of the Alliance, helped orchestrate the collaboration.

"The expansion of Panola and the protection of the South River have been and will continue to be primary goals for the Alliance," said Jordan. "If it had not have been for DNR's leadership, GDOT funding support and intervention by The Conservation Fund, we would have lost this opportunity."

Now that the property is in state protection, DNR's State Parks & Historic Sites Division is making plans for its eventual use as an expansion of Panola Mountain State Park. Even though funds have not been appropriated for development, an interim use plan has been created which will allow for limited public use of the newly acquired property. Officials expect to begin working with the community soon to create a master development plan for the expanded park.