Macon-Bibb County will open Amerson River Park on Labor Day on Monday, September 7, 2015, from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. so families can make it part of their holiday weekend plans.

“With it being a holiday weekend, we want people to bring their friends and family out and enjoy the amenities available, including the playground, walking trails, fields, pavilions, and, of course, the Ocmulgee River,” says Parks and Beautification Director Stephen Lawson. “This is a great chance for people to show visiting family members and friends what Macon-Bibb County has to offer, and what we’re doing to improve the quality of life here.”

After being closed for 15 months to complete $5.5 million in improvements, Amerson River Park reopened Saturday, May 30, with a day of music and activities that an estimated 3,000 people attending. Improvements include a grand entrance; new picnic pavilions; upgrades to the Porter Pavilion area; a new overlook; bathrooms at the playground; 3.5 miles of paved trails; .75 miles of mulch trails; a new canoe takeout and more.

The Park is normally open during the week from Wednesday – Sunday, 8:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. It is closed Mondays and Tuesdays so the Parks & Beautification Department can mow the grass, pick up litter, empty trashcans, and perform routine maintenance. To rent any of the facilities at Amerson River Park, contact the Parks and Beautification Department at 478-803-0484.

Click here for a feature video from MaconBibbTV about the improvements.

Improving Amerson River Park is a project specifically listed in the Quality of Life Focus Area in Macon-Bibb County’s first Forward Together Strategic Plan. The long-term plan for this area is to have the paths connect across the river to the Ocmulgee Heritage Trail and to the Ocmulgee National Monument. Projects in this Focus Area are meant to “support, encourage, and promote good-living in Macon-Bibb with arts and cultural events, tourism improvements, social and night life opportunities, and a community-wide system of passive and active recreation.”