Page 20 - Douglas Coffee NCG 2023

General Coffee

State Park

By Lydia Cobb

W elcome to the wiregrass region here. For more frequent visitors, they know the group shelter can be rented for birthday
Spencer also wants people to know
to visit the Heritage Farm Museum with their
of South Georgia. Just minutes
parties, reunions, and weddings, and
kids to feed the goats, sheep, chickens, pigs,
from downtown Douglas,
General Coffee State Park and donkeys. According to Park Manager comes complete with a full kitchen and
holds lands of pine trees and low, clumping Mikayla Spencer, many guests from out of two restrooms.
wiregrass thriving on sandy soils, in addition town are not familiar with the park beyond There are paddling opportunities on
to the creeks, rivers, and swamps that their campsite reservations. the serene Seventeen Mile River and the
constitute the wetlands. This is one of “They’re surprised when we ask, have park rents canoes, kayaks, and pedal boats.
Georgia’s largest state parks at you gone to the museum or seen the The river and a boardwalk wind through
1,500-plus acres. animals?” said Spencer. “Locals know we’re a cypress swamp where you may see rare and
Some say this is Georgia’s “best kept pretty sizable park,” she added, but like any endangered pitcher plants, indigo snakes,
secret” as people exclaim their surprise at destination, there will be people who are just and gopher tortoises indigenous to this
discovering how much there is to see and do now discovering this Georgia gem. region of the wiregrass community. Nature
“Our big draw is the Heritage Farm,” photographers and birders flock to this park
said Spencer. “It’s several time periods for exceptional viewings and photography.
with reconstructed historic buildings.” Equestrians share 13 miles of trails with
General Coffee State Park is known for its hikers and cyclists. The park also rents road
agricultural history displayed with log cabins, bikes and helmets, so everyone interested
a corn crib, tobacco barn, cane mill, and can cycle the paved surfaces along the four-
other farming exhibits. plus miles of hiking and nature trails.
Boating is available on the four-acre
Farm Pond for boats with electric motors.
Anglers can target bream, catfish, and
largemouth bass.

16 Douglas-Coffee County Chamber of Commerce | 912-384-1873 | douglasga.org