Laura S. Walker State Park Explained

Laura S. Walker State Park
Alt Name:Laura Walker State Park
Iucn Category:III
Map:USA Georgia#USA
Location:Brantley County, Georgia
Nearest City:Hoboken, Georgia
Area Acre:626
Established:1937
Governing Body:Georgia Department of Natural Resources

Laura S. Walker State Park is a 626acres state park in the U.S. state of Georgia. Located near Hoboken and the Okefenokee Swamp, the park is named after Laura S. Walker, a Georgia writer, teacher, civic leader, and naturalist (she is most famous as the latter). The park's location near the Okefenokee makes it home to many exotic plant and animal species, including alligators, great blue herons, and pitcher plants. The park includes a 120acres lake and a championship 18-hole golf course with a pro shop.

History

In the 1930s an effort was made to recognize Waycross, Georgia, conservationist Laura S. Walker for her work promoting forestry and other civic activities. At the urging of Georgia's senators, President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued a proclamation to establish the Laura S. Walker National Park in her honor.[1] She was the only living person for whom a state or national park was named. In 1937, the federal government purchased distressed farmland for the park under a federal land utilization program authorized by the Bankhead-Jones Farm Tenant Act.[2] [3] Work on the park was undertaken by the Works Progress Administration and the Civilian Conservation Corps. In 1941, the national park was deeded over to Georgia, becoming the state's 13th state park.

Facilities

Annual events

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Laura S. Walker: The Woman Behind the Park. Friends of Georgia State Parks and Historic Sites. April 13, 2018.
  2. Web site: Laura S. Walker State Park Established 1941. Georgia Department of Natural Resources. April 13, 2018.
  3. Web site: Current Use of Federal Land Utilization Projects Granted to State and Local Agencies. Department of Forestry and Natural Resources Clemson University. Thomas J. Straka. S. Knight Cox. Heather T. Irwin. April 13, 2018.