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Win an RV from Georgia’s State Park System - Stay Overnight between April 18 and May 25 and Be Qualified to Win a Family RV, Other Outdoor Prizes
ATLANTA, April 20, 2009 – Just in time for sleeping-under-the-stars season, Georgia’s State Parks are offering a chance to make outdoor getaways even more exciting. Now through May 25 state park visitors who spend a night in a lodge room, cottage, campground or yurt are automatically entered for a chance to win a Coachmen Spirit of America RVI from Mid State RV Center in Byron, Ga. or camping gear from outdoor specialty store REI.
“Spring is the season when people start thinking about outdoor getaways, so we wanted to make it easy for state park visitors to stay overnight and enjoy even more of the great outdoors,” said the park system’s marketing and communications manager Sally Winchester. “With a wide range of affordable accommodations, we have something to suit every family member, even the family dog.”
The “Get Outdoors Getaway” promotion is part of the state park system’s Get Outdoors Georgia program. Launched in 2008, it encourages citizens to get off the sofa and into the great outdoors. Park visitors will get a chance to tour the travel trailer, win REI camping gear and learn about Georgia’s recreational offerings at family-friendly events this spring.
 Saturday, May 2 at George T. Bagby State Park & Lodge in Fort Gaines, Ga. – Enjoy boating and fishing without the crowds on sparkling Lake Walter F. George.
Saturday, May 9 at Little Ocmulgee State Parks & Lodge in Helena, Ga. – Go birding along a pretty lake or tee off at the park’s golf course.
Saturday, May 16 at F.D. Roosevelt State Park in Pine Mountain, Ga. – Explore creeks, boulders and scenic overlooks along the Pine Mountain Trail, then visit the former president’s favorite picnic spot, Dowdell’s Knob.
Friday, May 22 at Red Top Mountain State Park & Lodge in Cartersville, Ga. – Kicks 101.5 FM will broadcast live from 5 – 7 p.m. and visitors can win memberships to Friends of Georgia State Parks, overnight stays, annual passes and more.
Georgia’s 48 state parks are operated by the Department of Natural Resources and offer 2,476 campsites, 414 lodge rooms, 30 cottages and 12 yurts. Reservations can be made at www.GeorgiaStateParks.org or by calling 1-800-864-7275. “Get Outdoors Getaway” contest rules and entry information can be found at www.GeorgiaStateParks.org.
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Media Contact
Kim Hatcher, Public Affairs Coordinator
404-657-9855
kimh@dnr.state.ga.us
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 Georgia to build Civil War Visitor Center: Resaca Battlefield State Historic Site to open in 2010
RESACA, GA, October 28, 2008 -- In anticipation of the American Civil War’s sesquicentennial (2011-2015), the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has broken ground on the future Resaca Battlefield State Historic Site in Gordon County. During an October 27 ceremony, Civil War re-enactors fired musketry on the site for the first time in 144 years.
Resaca Battlefield State Historic Site will serve as Georgia’s gateway to its numerous Civil War attractions. Located just off I-75 near the Georgia/Tennessee border, its strategic location welcomes casual visitors as well as history buffs as they enter the state -- helping generate tourist dollars for not only Gordon County, but all of Georgia. According to the 2000 Georgia Traffic Flow Map, nearly 56,000 vehicles pass the site daily.
Visitors to Resaca Battlefield State Historic Site will learn about the battle of Resaca, then gather information for traveling on to Kennesaw Battlefield, Andersonville National Historic Site, Pickett’s Mill Battlefield State Historic Site, Fort McAllister Historic Park, Fort Pulaski National Monument and other locations.
“Because of its location near a major interstate, this new visitor center has the potential to bring many more tourists into Georgia, generating revenue for our communities,” said State Representative John Meadows. “I’d like to particularly thank Governor Sonny Perdue, DNR Commissioner Noel Holcomb and the Friends of Resaca Battlefield for their efforts on this project.”
During the ceremony, the Friends of Resaca Battlefield presented a $10,000 donation to the DNR for building the visitor center. The donation was made possible in part by a grant from the Calhoun Gordon County Community Foundation, an affiliate member of the Community Foundation of Northwest Georgia.
“Today's groundbreaking ceremony is a dream come true,” said Friends President Ken Padgett. “It represents more than a decade of work by our members, state legislators and many other agencies.”
Resaca Battlefield State Historic Site will open in 2010 and will include interactive displays, artifacts, retail and a theater. The project is funded with $3 million in bond funds.
 The Georgia Department of Natural Resources purchased 512.85 acres of the battlefield site and has a conservation easement on an additional 61.74 acres. The Dept. of the Interior has recognized this historic battlefield as one of 25 sites chosen by the Civil War Sites Advisory Commission for funding under the American Battlefield Protection Program. Currently, there is no public access to the site.
The visitor center was designed by BRPH of Marietta and will be LEED certified for environmental responsibility.
Out of respect for those who fought and died at the site, the building was specifically designed to represent this particular battle.
Situated near a wooded area, the low-profile building has minimal intrusion on the field. Numerous roof angles represent the war’s conflict, and the footprint follows actual lines of the battle.
The Battle of Resaca occurred May 13 - 15, 1864 and represents the first significant confrontation in Major General William T. Sherman’s Atlanta Campaign. Resaca was the only battle during this campaign where the full might of both armies faced each other in open battle. Here, Sherman hoped to destroy the Confederate Army of Tennessee led by General Joseph E. Johnston - yet there was no clear winner. When it was over, more than 5,500 men lost their lives - and many believe this was a low estimate. The three days of fighting produced nearly 10 percent of the combined casualties sustained during the Atlanta campaign.
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MEDIA CONTACTS
Kim Hatcher, Media Relations
Georgia State Parks & Historic Sites
404-657-9855
kimh@dnr.state.ga.us
Ken Padgett, President
Friends of Resaca Battlefield
706-602-1864 |
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GA state parks & historic sites by travel region:
Metro Atlanta Parks
NE GA Mountains
NW GA Mountains
Coast & Islands
Historic Heartland
Presidential Pathways
Classic South
Magnolina Midlands
Plantation Trace
Check Out:
State Park Waterfalls
State Park Fishing Tackle Loaner, Free Park Pass Loan and Jr. Ranger Gopher Badge Programs
Walk on the Wild Side
New Parks, Historic Sites Openings
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