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Published Monday, January 30, 2012 in Local
Special
Dave Smith,left, chairman of the Botanical Committee for Friends of Chattahoochee Bend, and Scott Berta, a registered forester, talk about the proper way to plant trees. The piping on the right is to protect the young trees.
Chattahoochee Bend Park spruced up with new trees, trail restoration
By John Winters
The Newnan Times-Herald
About 60 volunteers were on hand Saturday to plant trees and repair trails on a weather-perfect day out at Chattahoochee Bend State Park.
Thanks to a donation from the Newnan Rotary Club, volunteers were busy planting 50 white oaks and 50 wax myrtles throughout the state's newest park in western Coweta County.
"We've had a major turnout and really delighted with everyone showing up," said Dave Smith, chairman of the Botanical Committee for the Friends of Chattahoochee Bend.
"We're doing this for Arbor Day," added Glenn Flake, chairman of the committee. "We appreciate the Rotary Club stepping up and purchasing the tees and to help augment our existing volunteer group."
Tree planting is a major initiative of Rotary International. The founder of the organization would always plant a tree in honor of visitors to his home.
The volunteers were coached in proper planting by Scott Berta, a registered forester who runs Tree Protection Supply.
Berta showed the planters the proper depth for the holes, and also how to install piping to help them grow properly and protect them from deer.
Those coming out to help were armed with shovels, plenty of gloves and post diggers.
"The ones with the post diggers are the most important participants," Smith joked.
The white oaks will be planted at the Visitor's Center, the Adirondack area and campsites No. 1 and 2. Volunteers earlier marked out locations for all the trees.
The wax myrtles were being planted at the brick road sign near the front entrance to the park.
The tree planters started about noon, and were proceeded by trail crews who started about two hours earlier.
The trail crews were repairing some damage to bridges and working on blazing new trails.
For more information or to volunteer, visit www.bendfriend.org .
To get to the park, take Hwy 34 West/Franklin Highway to Thomas Powers Road (at Powers' Crossroads store). Go right on Thomas Powers' Road and follow the signs to the park.
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Thanks to everyone who made this park a reality - it took a lot of work and it will still take more work to keep things up. To all the Volunteers: Thank You!
To all the Whining Cry Babies:
pitch in & get to work!
Posted by City of 'Whiners' = Newnanites at 1:27 AM
Not sure what planet DS and Dewe are on but Patrick is so right (in his first post) I wouldn't blame the county though (not much, anyway) They built the road as a favor. The real blame is with the contractor - and the DNR that let the contractor do it! The campground is. . . appalling! I guess that's what happens when you pick the low bidder. . . and he never even finished the job!
Posted by truth seeker at 9:04 PM
Yes, "Hate To Say It" I camped there this weekend..the workers were great..the campsites nowhere near the river but not much the citizens can do about the county clearcutting way too much. Thank goodness for the Bend Group and their efforts to re-green it. DS is not worth answering--ha!
Posted by patrick at 7:06 PM
The state botanist identified rare plant areas/ecosystems yet that inventory was ignored & some of those areas were bulldozed anyway and huge old growth trees removed unnecessarily. The road cutbacks were done by county & not what DNR intended. Once again "Development" trumped preservation - even in a park.
Posted by Hate to say it... at 6:03 PM
I guess Patrick is used to parking on dirt. As far as the cutback on the roads, I would guess, to keep trees from falling on the roadway and possibly hitting Patrick's car. I also see they do have a weekday schedule.
Posted by Dewecheatem at 5:19 PM
How many of the state parks have you been to DS, including the newer ones? The state specifically designs the foliage density and in most cases, only cuts down necessary trees, keeping it, uh, a PARK. Why did this group decide it was going to plant trees? Did you see where they planted them? A typical uneducated goof. How does one climb UNDER a hole? Hahaha!
Posted by patrick at 5:11 PM
Go climb back under your hole. If you want to be able to get in the park and have a place to park, trees are going to have to be cut down. There is nothing wrong with that park at all. It takes time to develop and that is something you apparently do not understand. Just a typical whiner.
Posted by DS at 4:29 PM
These volunteers and trees are desperately needed here! Thanks! The state, in its NEWEST state park, simply clear cut all the trees. The campsites are all treeless parking lots. Giant areas of asphalt, triple wide roads. Whoever had the bobcat contract is rich; whoever planned this park should go back to doing WalMarts. The people of the county deserve better. But its too late. The massive cut of trees cannot be greened-back for 20 years.
Posted by patrick at 1:07 PM
Since my weekends are now tied up. I unfortunately can't make it. I have volunteered time before this change. Ever have crews working on weekdays?
Posted by Dewecheatem at 1:04 PM
I think that it is great that so many people came out and helped on a such a nice day. Good job everyone!
Posted by H. L. at 9:46 AM
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So You Know...
2/1/2012
Link To This Comment
No one is enchanted by the expansive cut for Bobwhite Way, but the terrain is quite demanding and a lot of construction had to be done so the road will drain well, be safe and support heavy RV traffic. The campgrounds areas were heavily farmed by previous occupants and there were very few old-growth hardwoods. EPD regulations prohibit campground construction within the 100-year floodplain.
Posted by Friends of CBSP at 11:55 AM