Forsyth County to assume maintenance at five Army Corps parks on Lake Lanier

Forsyth County will assume greater maintenance duties this summer at five park sites on Lake Lanier under a partnership with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, county and Corps officials said during a brief on-site announcement.

Tim Rainey, operations project manager for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, said the arrangement splits responsibilities so local jurisdictions and the Corps can ‘‘sit down at the table’’ and agree how each party will share upkeep and operations. ‘‘We can't do it alone,’’ Rainey said, noting the Corps manages the land around Lake Lanier but relies on partners for day-to-day park operations.

The agreement gives Forsyth County lead maintenance responsibilities at five developed parks this season: Two-Mile Creek Park, Vance Tavern, Tidwell, Keith Bridge and Long Hollow, officials said. Tony Taki, assistant county manager for Forsyth County, said the county will increase maintenance staffing where needed, contract for grounds upkeep and evaluate equipment needs as parks reopen.

Rainey explained the financial mechanics behind the deal: when partners collect user fees at Corps land, the fees can be retained by the partner to offset the costs they incur in operating the sites rather than being sent directly to the U.S. Treasury. ‘‘If the partner collects those fees they can use those fees to offset the costs they incur in this partnership,’’ he said.

Taki said Forsyth will initially shift some staff from a closed park (Sharon Springs) to the Lake Lanier sites, keeping early staffing increases minimal. ‘‘This first year is going to be a trial run to see what we do need,’’ he said, adding that the county hopes fee revenue will cover much of the added expense but that hiring and additional equipment acquisitions could follow as more parks reopen.

Officials said the partnership also targets capital improvements to bring the parks up to a consistent standard for residents and visitors. Rainey framed the partnership in mission terms: ‘‘[The Corps's] mission is to provide recreational opportunities. Forsyth County's mission is to provide recreational opportunities. These partnerships will help us maintain and sustain access to Forsyth County residents as well as all visitors to Lake Lanier.’’

The briefing closed with county safety reminders for boaters and a pointer to county websites for more information and park offerings. Officials cited parks.forsythco.com and forsythco.com as sources for schedules, fees and visitor guidance.

Next steps: the county will operate the five parks this summer under the partnership arrangement, monitor costs and revenues during the trial year, and adjust staffing or contracting as needed. No formal vote or ordinance was announced at the briefing.