Visit Ware County and City Parks - Check out Dixon Memorial State Forest, Okefenokee Swamp Park, Southern Forest World, Trembling Earth Recreation Complex and Ware Memorial Park.. Stay and Play in Georgia!
Dixon Memorial State Forest is a very bio-diverse forest including approximately 15,000 acres of the Okeefenokee Swamp and 16,500 acres of pine timberland. The stewardship management plan has the forest divided into 41 compartments containing 7 stands averaging 390 acres each within each compartment. The pine stands are managed on a 40 year rotation with annual stand harvest averaging 50 to 70 acres in size.
The forest is managed as a Wildlife Management Area (WMA) by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Resources Division (DNR-WRD) and is the 4th largest WMA in the state. Approximately 170 acres of food plots, 55 acres of natural openings, 250 Wood Duck boxes, and 45 acres in MARSH waterfowl impoundment are maintained for wildlife. The WMA is open to the public from August 15 through May 15 for game hunts. Game species include White-tailed deer, black bear, dove, turkey, and small game.
The GFC met with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and DNR-WRD to discuss longer rotation management strategies on Cowhouse Island to possibly provide increased foraging habitat and possible re-location sites for the endangered red cockaded woodpecker colonies on USFWS land adjacent to the island. The GFC and DNR-WRD have cooperated to construct a new gun range located on Crews Boulevard off HWY 177 going into the Swamp Park.
The forest is the location for several university and coop forestry research projects including:
Acid rain/fertilization Palmetto production J-root planting Genetic crosses of pine species Thinning management and Pine oleoresin production
The Herty Building at Dixon Memorial Forest can be reserved for natural resource educational programs or other events. Please contact the Forest Supervisor for availability and reservations. Phone: 912-287-6612
Okefenokee Swamp Park - This wonderland of the Okefenokee is a significant part of America's heritage, a beautifully preserved segment of what was here when America began. Located in the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, the Okefenokee Swamp Park is a convenient point of entry and a magnificent show-window for this natural wonderland. The park's lily decked water trails, with their miraculously reflectie waters mirroring the overhanging beauty, lead to all points in this vast wilderness of islands, lakes, jungles, forest and prairies. Boat tours on original Indian waterways, wilderness walkways, Pioneer Island and native animals in their own habitat, all combine to weave a spell of pioneer American life. Points of Interest include a Pioneer Homestead, Honey Bee Farm, Turpentine Site, Seminole Indian Village, Moonshine Still, Wildlife Observations, Lake and much more. Phone: 912-283-0583 - Location: US 1 South, Waycross Georgia 31501 - US Highway 1
Southern Forest World - This Museum is dedicated to informing the public about the importance of the Forest industry in the South. The Forestry story is told by the use o both indoor and outdoor exhibit, so weather is rarely a factor when visiting. Indoor exhibits include a "talking tree", a replica of a Loblolly Pine tree that can be climbed and the locally famous "mummified dog". Outdoor exhibits are a fire tower, a giant Cypress tree, wagon wheels from mule-drivin logging carts and a steam-operated engine - Argent Lumber Company No. 3. All of these combine for a truly unique experience for all ages. Phone: 912-285-4056 - Address: 1440 No. Augusta Ave., Waycross Georgia 31503 - Directions:
Highway 82, take Augusta Avenue north 1 1/2 mile on right.
Trembling Earth Recreation Complex amenities include multiple softball-baseball fields, soccer field, multi field, walking trail, ponds and parking. Phone: 912-287-4488
Ware Memorial Park has a community center and playground - Phone: 912-287-4488
Palmetto production 
