The City of Hartwell may soon be more connected than ever before, as city officials and researchers are proposing the development of a regional trail system that would connect Downtown Hartwell with numerous recreational amenities around Lake Hartwell.
City officials, in conjunction with the Hart Archway Partnership (Archway), through the University of Georgia, have been exploring options to increase connectivity between Downtown Hartwell and area attractions through the improvement of existing sidewalks, and the construction of new sidewalks and pedestrian bridges.
The executive summary, compiled by the University of Georgia College of Environment and Design, listed more than a dozen community stakeholders including Jason Ford, Bill Leard, Elizabeth Brewer, Shannon Vanskike, Therese Corcoran, Jon Herschell, Kevin Geraty, Lindsey Ingle, Nathan Buffington, Dwayne Dye, Cali Beebe, Jasmine Sullivan-Bingham, Erik Blomberg and Peyton Gaines.
Within the executive summary, UGA Archway revealed a trail system that would connect Hart County recreation areas with the historic downtown, neighborhoods and schools in a way that would provide multi-modal connectivity. The connectivity would allow citizens to not necessarily have to rely on an automobile to get from one place to another and allow kids and adults who do not drive to get where they need to. Ultimately, it would also serve as an additional attraction to bring in new businesses and recreational amenities.
The groups mentioned above, held a multi-day workshop in the fall of 2022, known as a “charette,” that was meant to bring designers and locals together to focus on a particular planning problem and work to find a solution. The goal of the charette was to create a plan that could make the proposed multi-modal connectivity a reality.
The charette focused on three areas of interest in Hartwell – Hartwell Lakeside Park, enhancing the Rome neighborhood and connectivity.
Hartwell Lakeside Park
Lakeside Park is an area that would see a great deal of change if the proposal became a reality. The former Hart State Park was decommissioned by the state of Georgia nearly a decade ago and the management of the property was transferred to Hart County. The area is now managed by two leaseholders; a privately owned and operated KOA campground and a public day-use area managed by the City of Hartwell.
Lakeside Park and the KOA shared that they need enhanced amenities to increase park attendance and to maintain the local attraction. The Army Corps of Engineers worked with city officials to create an ideal master plan that included ways of increasing recreation opportunities, a second park entrance, trail improvements, increased signage and wayfinding, an enhanced beach area, a restaurant and a natural amphitheater.
Currently, the Lakeside Park peninsula is home to a boat ramp, dock and beach area. The envisioned peninsula would have an improved beach and boat ramp, as well as additional parking and a restaurant with indoor and outdoor dining options. The restaurant would be connected to a boat dock for both land and water access.
The proposed beach improvements would include brush clearing, added sand, concession booths, equipment rentals and water-based children’s activities such as an inflatable, or floating, waterpark.
The beach area would also provide a great area to introduce the concept of a boat cinema to Hart County. An inflatable screen set up on the beach would allow folks on shore, and from boats to enjoy a unique movie-going experience.
The restaurant on the peninsula would have both indoor and outdoor dining options to allow for year-round service. Concepts for the restaurant were taken from similarly-styled structures on Lake Oconee and Lake Keowee.
With the project being all about connectivity, a pedestrian bridge over Lake Hartwell between Lakeside Park and the Hartwell Marina would be constructed in order to allow for people to park in one location and walk to the other without having to drive through town to get from each location.
The charette team identified two possible connection points for the bridge. The bridge would be a longer term, more expensive investment, and would require funding and approval from the Army Corps of Engineers, but it would be a reliable form of infrastructure that would always be available to the public.
Increasing and improving the wayfinding and signage to and from the park, as well as within the park, can encourage more park and trail usage and add to the safety and accessibility of the park and its improved trails. This would include adding a trailhead and parking before the KOA gate as well as the installation of mile markers and labeled maps. Varying types of trails would also add to the park experience and could draw in a greater number of people.
Additional proposed amenities in Lakeside Park include a zipline and adventure course and an outdoor amphitheater that could be used to host concerts, festivals and other outdoor events.
Continuing the connectivity theme, several streets in Hartwell could see big improvements in the coming years to not only increase links between downtown and Lakeside Park, but to better loop in Hart County Schools and the Hart County Botanical Garden.
Campbell Drive, Sunnybrook Lane, Ridge Road, Forest Avenue, Powell Road, Legion Street and the intersection of Highway 29 and Campbell Drive could see the installation of additional sidewalks, bike lanes, crosswalks, crossing signs, street trees and planted medians.
More details on the executive summary, connectivity plan and enhancing the Rome neighborhood will be provided in upcoming editions of The Hartwell Sun.