Trust for Public Land has officially completed the purchase of 327 acres of riverfront property to expand McIntosh Reserve in Carroll County, which will bring the park’s total footprint to an impressive 1,750 acres. TPL’s purchase marks a significant conservation victory and a major milestone for the Chattahoochee RiverLands initiative

The newly protected land will add nearly two-thirds of a mile of frontage along the Chattahoochee River and safeguard habitat for 19 rare and priority species, including the state-protected bluestripe shiner, highscale shiner, and bald eagle. It also preserves land of deep historical and cultural significance, with archaeological evidence of human presence dating back to 8,000 B.C. and ancestral ties to the Muskogee (Creek) Nation.

“This is a transformational moment for the Chattahoochee River and the communities surrounding it,” said Georgia Dusenbury, Georgia State Director at Trust for Public Land. “Protecting this land ensures future generations will be able to experience the river’s beauty, history and ecological richness—while creating new opportunities for outdoor recreation.”

To commemorate this milestone and celebrate the broader vision of the Chattahoochee RiverLands, Trust for Public Land and Carroll County are also hosting a community celebration on May 22, marking the official opening of the final stop on the 48-mile Camp + Paddle Trail—a first-of-its-kind recreational waterway that stretches from Atlanta to McIntosh Reserve. The expanded McIntosh Reserve is the southernmost campsite and take-out point on the Camp + Paddle Trail

“This is more than a park expansion—it’s a bold step toward realizing the RiverLands vision of a connected, accessible and protected Chattahoochee,” said Michelle Morgan, Chair of the Carroll County Commission. “We’re proud to be part of a project that enhances our quality of life and preserves our natural and cultural legacy.”

Local residents and partners have played an essential role in protecting this treasured landscape.

“McIntosh Reserve is a special place to so many people—from families who hike its trails to historians and ecologists who recognize its value,” said Alyson Stober, President of Friends of McIntosh Reserve. “Expanding and protecting it ensures that future generations can experience the river and understand the stories it holds. We’re grateful to Trust for Public Land and Carroll County for their leadership and vision.”

The project also supports future trail connections to Moore’s Bridge Park and Chattahoochee Bend State Park, continuing the RiverLands goal of uniting seven counties and 19 cities along a 100-mile corridor of trails, parks, and open spaces.

Trust for Public Land has preserved more than 18,000 acres and 80 miles of riverfront along the Chattahoochee River over the past three decades. The McIntosh Reserve Phase 3 acquisition exemplifies the organization’s enduring commitment to conservation, equitable access and outdoor experiences that benefit all people

To learn more, visit: https://www.tpl.org/our-work/chattahoochee-riverlands