Need more services for county’s recreational resources
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In My Humble Opinion
Jodi McDade
Many of us take Coosa County for granted. Particularly those who have lived here all their lives and never moved away. But there are also many who did move away for a time but came back as soon as they could. They left to join the military and moved all over the world during their career. Or they moved away to go to school, found jobs and raised families, but then came back home to Coosa County.
There are others of us who grew up not knowing one single thing about Coosa County, Alabama. But somehow we found our way here and now call it home. We came here for many reasons – some just stumbling over it – but then realized we had truly found “God’s country.”
Coosa County is centrally located within the state; surrounding states and big cities are less than a day’s drive away; and it offers four lakes (Lay, Martin, Jordan, and Mitchell), creeks (like Hatchet, Weogufka and Swamp), mountains, fields, and forests. What more could anyone ask for?
We are blessed with an enormous amount of land and water for recreation. Unfortunately, we are not making the most of what we have to offer the outside world. But maybe that’s because we don’t want to share Coosa County with others or don’t want to be bothered by outsiders. Maybe it’s because so much of the land has been in families for generations and they have no intent of parting with it. Maybe it’s because so much of the land is now owned by or leased to major timber companies who use our main commodity to make huge amounts of money. Maybe it’s that so many people just do not want change of any kind – good, bad, or indifferent.
Other counties surrounding us are bringing in tax revenue from businesses located on the shores of the lakes; businesses who cater to recreation on the lakes, creeks and trails; and businesses that draw people into the area.
Coosa County – to my knowledge – only has one marina and one restaurant on a lake. That would be Parker Creek Marina and The Landing at Parker Creek on Lake Martin. Lake Martin is a major recreation lake that Elmore and Tallapoosa counties profit from.
I’m not sure if the bar on Lake Mitchell is still open. With all the major fishing tournaments held on Lay Lake there are no supporting businesses – lodging, marinas, restaurants – on the Coosa County side of the lake. Chilton County and Talladega County both get all the revenue from Lay Lake.
If you don’t like the water and prefer the woods and trails, Coosa County has Flagg Mountain and the Pinhoti National Recreational Trail that bring in people from all over our country and many other countries around the world.
Right now, Coosa County has one business that caters to hikers – the Pinhoti Outdoor Center just off U.S. Highway 280. They provide equipment, shuttle service, hostel (sleeping accommodations), and camping areas. Other than that, Caperton’s Store in Weogufka and Dollar General in Stewartville are about the only other sources available in Coosa County.
In last week’s paper there was a front-page article about Gov. Kay Ivey fulfilling the pledge she made last year when she came to Coosa County for the grand reopening of the renovated Flagg Mountain Fire Tower. She promised then that she would put together a group to work together to improve and promote the Pinhoti Trail that runs from its southern terminus at Flagg Mountain to the Georgia state line.
From that point, the Pinhoti Trail connects to other major hiking trails that either are or will be National Recreational Trails, including the world-known Appalachian Trail that goes all the way to Newfoundland. From Flagg Mountain hikers can also connect to the Florida Trail, the Eastern Continental Trail and others. Bicycle trails also come through the Flagg Mountain area and connect to other areas of the country.
Along with establishing this governing group that includes representatives of the Alabama Forestry Commission, the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, and the USDA Forest Service, Gov. Ivey has provided funding to help with the future activities that will be happening. The Alabama Legislature had already appropriated funds to help with improvements to the Flagg Mountain area and, with the Alabama Forestry Commission now overseeing the mountain, many upgrades and expansions are in the planning stage.
As these things progress I hope there will be private businesses who will come in to provide more services for the recreation resources Coosa County has. We need a gas station, general store and a restaurant on the west side of the county – like at the intersection of County roads 55/56 in the Weogufka area. We need outfitters to serve the water recreation, too. Right now there is nowhere in Coosa County to rent a canoe or kayak to use on any of our lakes or creeks.
Coosa County has an abundance of resources to become a well-funded county able to provide good roads and infrastructure for its citizens. Don’t get me wrong – I don’t want a Walmart or large shopping center in Coosa County. We can drive 15-20 miles in any direction for that.
We have people who have retired, are able to work from home, or want a small town feel to raise their children moving into the area. Houses sell almost before they are listed. We need more housing – garden homes, upper scale apartments, etc. – to help bring in people who are willing to invest in Coosa County.
If you have land or property you would be willing to offer for new growth, please reach out. This includes the 280 corridor, Kellyton, Goodwater, Richville, and Equality. What say you?
