Corps, CSRA partners complete $25K project at Bussey Point Recreation Area

Published Dec. 10, 2013
A "before" view of the day-use parking lot from the Bussey Point campground, June 2013 at J. Strom Thurmond Lake.

A "before" view of the day-use parking lot from the Bussey Point campground, June 2013 at J. Strom Thurmond Lake.

A view of the Bussey Point Recreation Area day use parking lot after volunteers expanded it to accommodate more cars and horse trailers, November 2013.

A view of the Bussey Point Recreation Area day use parking lot after volunteers expanded it to accommodate more cars and horse trailers, November 2013.

SAVANNAH, Ga. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Savannah District announces the completion of a $25,000 project to improve horseback riding at the Bussey Point trail and campground at J. Strom Thurmond Lake in Lincoln County, Ga.

The Corps' headquarters in Washington, D.C., awarded the funds this summer as part of its Handshake Partnership Program, which provides a source of seed money to enhance recreation projects through community partnerships.

The Corps partnered with the Central Savannah River Area (CSRA) Equestrian Club, Back Country Horsemen of Middle and South Georgia, and Boy Scouts of America to add equestrian-friendly upgrades to the park. Construction began in August and was performed by the Corps and 61 volunteers, who contributed 267 service hours throughout the project. The recently-finished upgrades include:

  •  A new access trail at the Bussey Point trailhead
  •  A newly-installed potable water well for equestrian use
  •  Expanded campsite driveways on sites 1 through 10 to accommodate horse trailers
  •  New horse tethering high lines at campsites 1 through 10
  •  A new exit road to improve traffic flow in the park
  •  An expanded day use area parking lot
  •  An interpretive kiosk at the trail head for trail user information
  •  A solar light at the restroom facility near campsites 1 through 10

"All of our partners on this project shared a common goal and vision for this park," said Scott Hyatt, Thurmond Lake operations project manager. "With shrinking federal recreation budgets, improvements like these would not have been possible without help from our community partners and the Handshake Partnership Program. Partnerships help us sustain levels of public service. We believe these improvements will attract more visitors to the park and result in high user satisfaction."

Bussey Point is a Corps-managed recreation area on a 2,545-acre forested peninsula bordering Thurmond Lake. It includes more than 20 miles of trails for horseback riding, hiking and biking, along with primitive camping and picnic sites. For more information about Bussey Point or Thurmond Lake, contact the visitor center at 1-800-533-3478.


Contact
Tracy Robillard, Public Affairs Specialist
912-652-5450
tracy.k.robillard@usace.army.mil

Release no. 13-043