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Parks

Lake Lanier Parks Closure Scramble Ahead of Memorial Day

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

As the Memorial Day holiday weekend approaches, a new list of parks along Lake Lanier in North Georgia that will close due to staff shortages has been released, prompting a scramble from local lawmakers. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers initially announced that 20 parks would be closed, but after pressure from Republican lawmakers, the agency reduced the number of closures to nine sites. Democrats, however, criticized the move as another consequence of the Trump administration's government-shrinking agenda. Local residents and visitors can still access the lake through open parks and boat ramps, with the Corps continuing to assess traffic and adjust as needed through the weekend.

Key Takeaways:

  • The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers initially announced that 20 parks around Lake Lanier would close due to staff shortages, but later reduced the number to nine sites after pressure from Republican lawmakers.
  • Georgia U.S. Sens. Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock issued scathing public statements criticizing the move, labeling it a "disastrous" and "direct" result of the Trump administration's "reckless and chaotic mismanagement."
  • Republicans U.S. Reps. Rich McCormick and Andrew Clyde, and state Sen. Greg Dolezal lobbied behind the scenes to reduce the number of closures, with Dolezal celebrating the agency's decision to keep nine sites open.
  • The Corps will continue to assess traffic and adjust the park closures as needed through the weekend.
  • Lake Lanier, which attracts over 10 million visitors annually, spans both McCormick's and Clyde's districts.
  • The Corps has released a new list of parks along Lake Lanier that will be closed, as well as those that will remain open.

Statistics:

  • 20 parks around Lake Lanier initially announced for closure
  • 9 parks reduced in closures
  • 10 million+ visitor annual traffic on Lake Lanier
  • 90% of boat ramps providing access to the lake remain open
  • 2 U.S. Sens. (Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock) issued scathing public statements criticizing the move

Sources:

  • Pete Corson/AJC
  • U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

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