As residents of an area proud of entertainment, committee members are eager for Dawson County to profit from the multi-billion dollar glamping industry during the meeting on Thursday, November 18. 

The BOC voted for the Department of Parks and Recreation to submit a bid for six glamping sites in War Hill Park in the southeastern part of Dawson County on the edge of Lake Lanier. 

Compared with traditional camping facilities, camping requires the use of outdoor recreational resources and comfortable facilities, such as beds, mini refrigerators, air conditioning and heating. 

According to the request of the proposal, another company will provide glamping services for tourists in War Mountain Park.

Commissioner Chris Gaines commented that although there are existing options near the lake and Amicalola Falls, the county does not really provide good campgrounds. 

"It satisfies a lot of demand," Gaines said of the glamping idea. "It allows those who might not want to come up and spend the night in the woods to come to the woods for the night."

The Timberlane Glamping Company, run by Nathan and Rebeka Self, approached the county in September with the prospect of glamping. However, in accordance with the procedures, the county must still submit a bid request so that multiple companies can bid on the project.

In his speech, Parks and Recreation Director Matt Payne shared that the glamping market in the United States has at least $2.35 billion. 

Nathan Self said that the market is expected to become larger, and the US research project Kampgrounds predicts that the luxury camping industry will grow to $25 billion by 2025. 

"This [camping style] won't go anywhere. They (KOA) have pointed out the numbers that new campers prefer," Self said. "These numbers are very accurate."

Matt Payne said that luxury tents will be divided into two main groups, which are the closest locations to the park bathrooms. 

The winning company will be responsible for erecting tents, maintaining tents and all related equipment. The company will also promote the availability of tents and book separately from the county website.

Hotel-motel tax will also be levied. General campsite maintenance, such as pipelines, will be handled by the county. Only electricity will enter the campsite. 

Gaines asked about the company's success in other locations, one of which was at the Shady Grove campground in Forsyth County near Lake Lanier. 

Self said that since May 2020, these luxury campgrounds have been 100% booked, which highlights the relationship between supply and demand. 

Self added that the goal of companies like him and his wife is to achieve zero footprint and provide conveniences such as refrigerators, air conditioners and carpets. The key to Timberlane's success is to collaborate with other local small businesses to provide additional services, such as farm fresh eggs. 

Self added that the tent is lockable, so theft is rarely a problem for his company.

After a scheduled public hearing, BOC also passed a resolution on county-level greenways and trail master plans.

Robert Irving of the Planning Department proposed the plan in October. The Dawson County Development Agency signed a contract with Thomas and Hutton, an engineering and design firm, who created the schematic. 

The plan details 19.6 miles of trails, mainly located in the southeast of the county. 

The six attractions along the network will be North Georgia Premium Outlets, Dawson Forest, Thompson Creek Park, Etowa River, Rock Creek Park and the future Russell Creek Reservoir.

These points of interest will have six corresponding trails, including sidewalks and paths, which correspond to various terrains that are closer or farther from the road. 

The price tag is expected to be $60 million, so over time, funding will have to come from several different local, state, and federal sources.   

Irving said the county can help provide suggestions to developers so that parts can be added in order.

Gaines commented that while the plan is ambitious, the county must "start at some point" and "take the first step." 

At the November 18 work meeting, Brook Anderson from the Rotary Club of Dawson County proposed a plan to the committee members to improve the riverside park by adding a butterfly garden. 

"A theme of the Rotary Club this year is to protect the environment, so we want to develop a project that provides some environmental education," Anderson said. 

In the past few years, Anderson said the club has completed several projects in cooperation with parks and leisure centers, such as splash pads, Peak and basketball courts, and batting cages.

In general, the Rotary Club will build and install a new picnic pavilion, butterfly and pollinator education park, butterfly sculptures and environmental education signs. 

Anderson detailed the club’s plan to replicate the existing pavilion in Riverside Park and add picnic tables below and around it. 

The garden may be about 30 feet by 30 feet, full of flora and fauna to attract pollinators, boulders, mulch, and educational signs. The club also wanted to place a large butterfly sculpture to mark the park

The expected cost of the project is USD 20,000. If it continues, the Rotary Club plans to complete the project by the end of February, just in time for spring. 

As the park area may be flooded, Anderson added that the pavilion is likely to be metal, and the club also plans to return every year to repair facilities and replace plants. 

"You made me in'Butterfly'," Commissioner Sharon Fawcett said of the idea for this project. "Any environment like this, I like it."

Commissioner Tim Satterfield thanked Anderson's team for their previous efforts for citizens and praised their motivation to serve. 

"Your team, they are good stewards in this county," Satterfield said. "When you do something wholeheartedly, you do it."