Plan for Wildwood Park awaits report on environmental impact

Columbia County's mostly undeveloped Wildwood Park has been eyed -- in past decades -- for projects such as golf courses, hotels and even private homes.

Most of the plans stirred controversy and were rejected. But the county's newest vision, with cabins, a lodge and an amphitheater, stands a greater chance for success, according to county officials and the Army Corps of Engineers.

Corps spokesman Billy Birdwell said his Savannah office is awaiting an environmental assessment from the county on the 972-acre site. "We have sent them our comments, and right now the ball is in their court," he said.

That assessment will enable the corps to determine whether it can sign off on a long-range master plan the county has spent more than two years developing, said Barry Smith, the county's community and leisure services director.

In all, the county hopes to invest more than $21 million in the park by adding as many as 40 cabins, new beaches, a "mega playground," a welcome center, a lodge and a waterfront amphitheater, he said.

The Thurmond Lake park is already among the county's top resources. The land, which the county leases from the corps, has become the site of several major bass fishing tournaments and the headquarters of the Professional Disc Golf Association.

Past proposals, especially those involving golf resorts, have drawn concern over the possibility of "private exclusive use" of federal property, which is against the law. Individual development ideas also have been rejected by the corps because the county had no formal master plan.

"This time we do have a master plan that has been approved by the board of commissioners," Mr. Smith said. "The only hang-up -- and it's not necessarily a hang-up -- is for an environmental assessment to be completed."

The study will determine whether the improvements would affect any endangered species, cemeteries, archaeological resources or the environment.

"We believe it will be approved, and once it's approved we can start implementing the components of the plan," he said.

One of the first improvements will involve relocating and improving the park entrance off Washington Road.

The current entrance is near a blind hill and has caused traffic concerns. The plan includes double lanes to speed up peak traffic during major events.

"With the kind of activity we hope to attract we need a safe entrance," he said, noting that $1.5 million for that project is available from local option sales tax funds.

The county also hopes to include an additional $3 million in master plan projects from sales tax dollars projected to arrive between 2010 and 2015.

"Probably within the next year we have to start prioritizing what amenities we want to spend that money on," he said. "The amphitheater might be a wonderful addition because it could have paid concerts and also utilize the large, existing parking lot."

A lodge and cabins, he added, could generate revenue from corporate retreats, reunions and other events requiring overnight accommodations.

Mr. Birdwell said corps officials submitted comments on the plan asking that the county perform a financial feasibility study to document that such a large development would be sustainable.

"We asked them to do a market study, to make sure it is financially viable," he said. "We don't want them to build something this big and it not be successful."

The county has since performed such studies, which included comparisons with cabins at other parks, including Mistletoe State Park a few miles away.

Once the environmental assessment is delivered to the corps, the public will have an opportunity to evaluate and comment on the county's master plan, Mr. Birdwell said.

Reach Rob Pavey at 868-1222, ext. 119, or rob.pavey@augustachronicle.com.