UNIVERSALLY ACCESSIBLE KAYAK LAUNCH
As a public recreational area, Lake Tallulah has a beach, bathhouse, and public swimming area. A handicap ramp located in this area would allow visitors with a variety of physical disabilities to access the water.
About the Project
Background
Located in Tallulah Falls, Rabun County, and Habersham County, Tallulah Gorge State Park is Georgia’s second most visited state park. With almost one million visitors per year, the park is widely- recognized by economic developers as a primary attraction for tourism in northeast Georgia. In addition to the scenic gorge, Tallulah Gorge State Park features an interpretive center, five dramatic waterfalls, over 18 miles of hiking trails, picnic tables, campgrounds, Georgia Power’s historic Tallulah Dam, and the beautiful Lake Tallulah. As a public recreational area, Lake Tallulah has a beach, bathhouse, and public swimming area. A handicap ramp located in this area would allow visitors with a variety of physical disabilities to access the water.
Opportunity
Although an ideal setting for kayaks, canoes, and paddle boards, Lake Tallulah has no safe and easy access for non-motorized personal watercraft. In addition, no such craft are available on-site for public use.
Solution
Several entities, including Georgia Power, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Tallulah Gorge State Park, the Town of Tallulah Falls, the Tallulah Falls Downtown Development Authority, and the Tallulah Falls School, see benefit in expanding the lake’s existing handicap access ramp to include a handicap-accessible kayak dock and launch, a public launch, and a concession area for non-motorized boats. Georgia Power’s Land Department and the Department of Natural Resources have provided input, direction on the buildout, and review of estimates for this project.
The original cost of the project was $220,000, with funding for the project raised by Victor Anderson and Bo Hatchett. The project later expanded into a $1.2 million project encompassing the entire beach area. The expanded project is intended to renovate and improve the beach area to make it more accessible, inclusive, and welcoming to people of all abilities, while providing improved opportunities for recreation and access to the lake.
Benefits
The project cost is minimal given the benefits. The boat rental concession included in this project will create jobs, provide new revenue for the park, and encourage visitors to linger longer – a key factor in bringing additional tourism dollars for the regional economy. This investment by the state would complement on-going efforts by the Town of Tallulah Falls, the Tallulah Falls DDA, and the Tallulah Falls Business Association to promote a unique travel destination for families wanting to engage the natural beauties of North Georgia.