On Saturday, June 4, Sawnee Mountain Preserve officially opened its gates to an enthusiastic crowd of Forsyth residents. The 725-acre preserve boasts three miles of hiking trails, a 150-seat amphitheater (built by a $40,000 donation from Northside Hospital-Forsyth), natural rock climbing area, a playground, two picnic pavilions and summer camps. Development of the preserve’s first phase began this past September. The total price tag for the project is about $1.2 million with $600,000 coming from the county’s impact fees program, $600,000 from the Sawnee Mountain Foundation and the aforementioned $40,000 from NSH-Forsyth.

The three hiking trails on the preserve – Yucca, Laurel and Indian Seats – are full of hardwoods and native yuccas, laurels and azaleas. But perhaps what will draw most people to the park are the 3 natural rock indentions known as the Indian seats – the rock “chairs” where Cherokee Indian Chief Sawnee and his council members are said to have once sat while looking over the land below.

Today, visitors can sit in those same seats and take in the breathtaking views of the North Georgia Mountains, green open space, farms, trees, distant towns and open skies.

In addition, area rock climbers in the near future will be able to enjoy climbing and rappelling on the mountain thanks to the help of climbing expert Chris Watford, co-founder of the Southeastern Climbers Coalition and author of “The Deep South Climbers Companion” and “The Dixie Craggers Atlas.” Watford is also owner of Call of the Wild in Roswell. Within a few yards of the Indian seats, the coalition has installed permanent anchors at various intervals along the mountainside. The group has also agreed to maintain the anchors and climbing areas for the county.

According to Matthew Pate, outdoor recreation supervisor for Forsyth parks and recreation, climbers must obtain a permit from the P&R department during regular business hours before climbing. There is a small fee associated with the permit and the permit is only good for 10 days. He also said that for those interested in learning how to climb and rappel, there would be classes offered this October. The four-and-a-half hour class covers the basics of climbing from knot tying to belaying. The cost is $60 and is open to anyone 12 years or older.

For the first time ever, the county’s parks and recreation department will offer day camps on the mountain. Everything will have to do with outdoor adventure.

“There’s tree climbing, rock climbing, rappelling, hiking and environmental education,” said Pate. “It’s going to be a lot of fun.”

Pate also said that the amphitheater will eventually host everything from small concerts – like the bluegrass one that played on opening day – Saturday storytelling, puppeteering and Shakespeare in the park festivals.

To visit the preserve, take 400 north to exit 14. Follow Hwy 20 into downtown Cumming and then turn right on Tribble-Gap Road. Travel past Christ the King Lutheran Church on Bettis-Tribble Gap Rd and the entrance to the park is about two-and-a-half miles on the right.

Phase two of the preserve project is expected to begin in 2006. Access will be from Spot Road. Plans include a 5,000 square-foot outdoor education center, learning gardens, outdoor climbing wall, challenge course, universally accessible tree house classroom and hiking trails ---(which will connect with current phase one trails). The well-known “round house” donated by the Barker family is included in this phase and will house various heritage collections that will of course be indigenous to Forsyth. Total completion of the preserve project is expected to be in 2010.

For more information about the preserve or how you can volunteer or offer services, contact Pate at the county parks and recreation department at 770-781-2215.

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