Laura S. Walker State Park

Laura S. Walker State Park is a 626-acre (2.53 km²) Georgia state park 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 for 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 120-acre (0.49 km²) lake and a championship 18-hole golf course plus pro shop.

"Walker State Park" redirects here. For the park in Kentucky, see Dr. Thomas Walker State Historic Site.

Laura S. Walker State Park

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
  • 39 Tent/Trailer/RV Campsites
  • 6 Sportsman's Cabins
  • 7 Picnic Shelters
  • 4 Group Shelters
  • 1 Group Camp
  • 1 Pioneer Campground
  • Swimming Beach
  • Kayak Rentals
  • tent and trailer campsites
  • picnic shelter
  • group shelter
  • swimming area
  • kayak and paddle board rentals

Annual events
  • Okefenokee 10K Race (March)

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

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