Chattahoochee Parks Conservancy New Name Highlights National Park

ROSWELL, GA — The Chattahoochee Parks Conservancy announced that the non-profit has changed its name to the Chattahoochee National Park Conservancy to reflect its support for the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area as part of the national park system.

The Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area is composed of 15 park units with nearly 7,000 acres along 48 miles of the Chattahoochee River. As the official friends group for the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area, the Chattahoochee National Park Conservancy works with the National Park Service to enrich visitor experiences in the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area and protect the park's natural and cultural resources. The national parks need public support, and donations to the Chattahoochee National Park Conservancy help support the local unit of the national park system.

Phillip Hodges, board president for the Chattahoochee National Park Conservancy, said the name change better describes who the group is and what it does.

"As the official friends group for the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area, having 'National Park' in our name emphasizes that the park we support is part of our national park system," Hodges said. "Many regular park users do not realize they are in a national park. Our new name highlights the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area as a national park to visitors and distinguishes our organization and our goals to support the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area.”

Representing 20 percent of the public greenspace in the Atlanta metro area and designated as the first National Water Trail, the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area is one of the top 30 most visited national parks in the U.S. with over three million visitors each year. More than 90 percent of the funds raised by the Chattahoochee National Park Conservancy have gone directly to support the national park to enhance and restore land and water trails, improve facilities, support volunteers, and conduct outreach and education programs.

“Our name has changed, but our mission is the same," Hodges said. "The Chattahoochee National Park Conservancy's mission is to build a community of support for the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area and promote stewardship of its natural and cultural resources. Chattahoochee National Park Conservancy will continue to raise funds and promote volunteerism to help the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area meet its improvement goals and priority initiatives.”

Chattahoochee National Park Conservancy and its donors raise funds for park initiatives such as the first comprehensive trail study for the park, the stairway connecting the Vickery Creek unit to Roswell Mill Park, a new accessible kids’ fishing pier at the Island Ford unit, and education programs in the park for underserved youth. Chattahoochee National Park Conservancy also provides volunteers for Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area trail work, invasive species removal, education programs, and other needs within the park. Chattahoochee National Park Conservancy members enjoy a Walk and Talk series, education programs, and family events.

For more information on how to join, donate, or volunteer with the Chattahoochee National Park Conservancy, visit chattahoocheeparks.org or email info@chattahoocheeparks.org. For information about the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area, trail maps, and boating outfitters, visit nps.gov/chat.