Yahoola Creek Reservoir hybrid plan; Lumpkin BOC work session

Big ideas are floating around in Lumpkin County. The Lumpkin County Board of Commissioners met to discuss the master plan of the Yahoola Creek Reservoir on Nov. 17.

The work session provided a chance for commissioners, council members and other attendees to discuss the master plan and future tourist attraction for the county.

Rebecca Mincey, executive director of Development Authority of Lumpkin County, led the meeting at 4 p.m. The master plan for the reservoir was to put their natural resources and trails around them to use.

The plan includes several tourist-like attractions: ziplining, lodging, camping, hiking, fishing, canoe/kayaking and more.

The design of the master plan was laid out by a firm called Lōse Design. According to their website, Lōse Design is dedicated and “do not settle for “off the shelf” design solutions.” Mincey said the team that aided to their vision have engineers, environmentalists, designers and more that considered all factors to make their project possible.

Chairman Chris Dockery said the goal of laying out each specificity of the master plan was to be done in phases. Dockery added that there are several considerations that are acknowledged within the process.

“It’s important to realize this is strategic planning,” Dockery said. “We’re just trying to synchronize those efforts and make sure everybody in the community is aware and we’re all pulling in the same direction.”

Dahlonega Mayor Sam Norton said the plan they have is a “wonderful legacy” to carry on throughout the years to come.

“[This project] is a great vision on how to get more out of it than just the trails,” Norton said. “This is phase development, so it is going to be efforts after we’re probably gone. This legacy will continue.”

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