Community Corner
Many Activities Coming Up at Sweetwater Creek
Summertime is jam-packed with events at the park, including three this weekend: Junior Ranger Day Camp, Skins and Skulls Wildlife ID Class, and Introduction to Fly-fishing.
A relaxing way to spend a day or part of a day is at in Lithia Springs.
While no swimming is allowed in the 215-acre George Sparks Reservoir, many can be seen fishing, picnicking, hiking on nine miles of trails, feeding the ducks and boating at the park at 1750 Mount Vernon Road off Interstate 20 and Thornton Road.
Park hours are 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.
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The most popular trail follows the stream to the ruins of the New Manchester Manufacturing Company, a textile mill that was burned during the Civil War. Then the trail follows rocky bluffs to provide views of the mile-long stretch of whitewater rapids below.
Around 2,500 acres comprise the park, which also has a meeting room that seats 40, 11 picnic shelters, and a group shelter that seats 150—all with rental fees. There are two fishing docks, a bait shop and playgrounds.
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Boating costs are:
- Pedal boats for 4-5 people—$3 a person for 30 minutes.
- Jon boats for 2-3 people—$10 an hour, $20 for four hours, $30 for eight hours.
- Canoes for 2-3 people—$5 an hour, $15 for four hours, $25 for eight hours.
Life preservers are supplied.
No one younger than 3 is allowed on these boats. Boaters must be at least 16 to ride either alone or with another 16-year-old. Anyone younger than 16 must have someone who is 18 or above accompanying them.
Photo ID is required to reserve boats.
Personal boats are allowed but only with electric motors.
Beginning this weekend, many summertime activities are set to kick off at the park:
Junior Ranger Day Camp—Friday, July 8 and July 22 (9 a.m. to 2 p.m.)
Introduction to Fly-fishing—Saturday, July 23, Aug. 13 and Aug. 27 (1 to 3 p.m.)
Skins and Skulls Wildlife ID Class—Saturday (1 to 4 p.m.)
Family Fun Day: An Outdoor Nation Summit Event—July 9 (1 to 5 p.m.)
"Ruins to Rapids" Full Moon Hike—July 15 and Aug. 13 (8 to 10 p.m.)
Atlanta Audubon Society Intro to Birdwatching Hike—July 16 and Aug. 20 (8 to 10 a.m.)
Geology Hike—July 23, Aug. 13 and Sept. 24 (9 to 11 a.m.)
Introduction to Wilderness Survival—July 30 (10 a.m. to 3 p.m.)
Hunting 101 Class—Aug. 6 (10 a.m. to 3 p.m.)
Butterfly Safari—Aug. 7, Aug. 28 and Sept. 10 (11 a.m. to 1 p.m.)
Wild Edibles—Aug. 20 (11 a.m. to 3 p.m.)
Contacts: Reservations, 1-800-864-7275; park, 770-732-5871