A ribbon cutting ceremony for renovations at Sawnee Mountain Preserve was held on Thursday, Dec. 12, to highlight improvements made to the park. Photos from the event can be found here.

The ceremony featured remarks from District 2 Commissioner and Chairman Alfred John, District 1 Commissioner Kerry Hill, Deputy Director of Forsyth County Parks & Recreation Laura Pate and Sawnee Mountain Foundation President Mary Helen McGruder.

The renovations include:

• 50 additional parking spaces
• Improved exhibits inside the Visitor Center
• Additional pavilions and maintenance storage building
• Interpretive signage along trails with new trail maps
• Walkway to the Big Creek Greenway
• Landscape improvements
• Visitor Center building exterior improvements, including a weather-proof roof for the porch
• Climbing storage building improvements

“After its renovations, Sawnee Mountain Preserve is even more equipped to share its history with residents and visitors and hold space for new memories to be treasured for years to come,” said Commissioner Kerry Hill at the ceremony.

The additions and updates are part of the Sawnee Mountain Preserve’s master plan as Phase 4A.

The designer for the project was CPL, and the general contractor was Vertical Earth. The designer for the interior exhibits and trail interpretive signs project was HW Exhibits, and the exhibit fabricator was Taylor Studios. The budget for both projects was approximately $3 million and was funded by SPLOST, Impact Fees, Sawnee Mountain Foundation Donation, Capital Site Improvements and the Parks, Recreation and Green Space Bond approved by voters in 2008.

Sawnee Mountain Preserve offers 11 miles of trails, a Visitor Center, playground, climbing tower, access to the Big Creek Greenway and many outdoor adventure and environmental education programs. The park attracts over 100,000 visitors each year.