The Phinizy Center for Water Sciences will unveil a new accessible trail at the park on Wednesday morning.
The Phinizy Nature Park now sports a paved pathway, beginning off the visitors parking area, to accommodate people with disabilities, as well as senior citizens and even parents with strollers exploring the grounds.
“With the new accessible improvements to the park, we hope to open up Phinizy Center’s Nature Park to all members of the community with a desire to get in nature,” said Kim Dillard, park and volunteer director at Phinizy Center.
The Phinizy Center was among 23 recipients of the 2022-2023 Mobility and Accessibility Grant. The National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF), via its Driving Mobility and Accessibility on Public Land Grant program, provided the nature park $20,000 to convert its boardwalk and observation deck into a more accessible trail for disabled persons.
The Georgia Rehabilitation Institute (GRI) granted the park $50,000 toward the accessibility improvement project, as well. Alongside the trail upgrades, GRI is also funding the installation of a larger-than-life size heron sculpture on park grounds, a project coordinated by the Greater Augusta Arts Council.
Early last month the GAAC and Phinizy Center called for artists in the area to propose designs for the art installation, which is to launch in May 2024. The selected artist will receive a $15,000 stipend. The deadline for proposals is Oct. 23.
“We are excited that these grants allowed us to improve one of our most popular trails that now meets the needs for all our park patrons,” said Alicia Sweat, executive director for Phinizy Center for Water Sciences. “None of this would be possible without the guidance, support, and expertise of our partners at NEEF and GRI.”
Phinizy Swamp Nature Park, at 1858 Lock and Dam Road, is scheduled to reveal its renewed accessible trail on Wednesday morning at 10 a.m.
Skyler Q. Andrews is a staff reporter for The Augusta Press. Reach him at skyler@theaugustapress.com.
