For eight years Michael Johnson, 65, has enjoyed photographing the love locks attached to railings on the canal water control structure of the Augusta Canal.
But next month Columbia County commissioners will consider a proposal to remove all the padlocks from the canal lock at the Savannah Rapids Park and place the locks on a sculpture.
“They need to leave it the way it is,” said Johnson, a retired wedding photographer.
But the hundreds of locks, though picturesque, prevent proper maintenance of the railing and could eventually add too much weight and prevent the water control mechanisms from working, said Julianna Shurtleff, the development and outreach manager at the Augusta Canal National Heritage Area.
Shurtleff was on the committee that reviewed 13 proposals from artists around the country. The committee agreed on a proposal by Phoenix, Ariz. sculptor Daniel Moore. The committee’s idea will go before the county commission in March.
Moore’s proposal includes a wall and sign that reads “Savannah Rapids Love Locks.” It also includes an undulating, wave-like wire fence that future visitors could attach a padlock to. Shurtleff said workers who removed the existing padlocks would attach them to the sculpture.
“It’s so romantic to put a lock on there, throw away the key and show a lifelong love and commitment,” Shurtleff said.
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The Savannah Rapids Park is a popular destination for lovers, hikers, runners, bikers and kayakers. Johnson said he first saw the locks about eight years ago and compared them to similar spots around the world.
He worries that moving the locks will dampen some of the romance.
MORE: Love Locks At the Augusta Canal
“It’s kind of taken a life of its own,” Johnson said.
Joshua B. Good is a staff reporter covering Columbia County and military/veterans’ issues for The Augusta Press. Reach him at joshua@theaugustapress.com
