Lake Tobesofkee is beginning to receive the first phase of major improvements in its parks, the first major improvements in many years. Thanks to about $1.3 million in voter-approved Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) funds, each of the three parks (Claystone, Arrowhead, and Sandy Beach) will get brand new guardhouses, a new ranger station at Claystone Park (to replace the trailers currently housing offices) will be built, and two restroom facilities in Claystone and Sandy Beach Parks. will be rebuilt. The project is expected to take about six months to complete.

Excavation to prepare the site for the ranger station is set to begin, and Macon-Bibb County held a ceremonial groundbreaking with an excavator on Wednesday, May 20 in Claystone Park. District 6 Commissioner Joe Allen, Lake Tobesofkee Director Donald Bracewell, and Warren Selby with Warren Associates, the contracting company doing the work, all spoke at the event. You can watch that ceremony here:

Groundbreaking for Improvements at Lake Tobesofkee from MaconBibbTV on Vimeo.

“Lake Tobesofkee is a jewel for our county and region, attracting people from around the state and southeast to camp, swim, walk, bike, and more, and I’m so glad to see this work getting underway,” says Commissioner Allen. “With this work, we’re taking care of both visitors and employees, and I know with this and future improvements that even more people will want to enjoy what’s offered out here and revenue will increase.”

“Our Lake is truly amazing for what it offers people, and this work is greatly needed,” says Bracewell. “This will begin to give us better facilities for people to use and allow our staff to better serve their needs.”