Living Jackson Magazine

Hurricane Shoals
No surprise: The crown jewels of Hurricane Shoals Park are the marvelous shoals-for sunning, relaxing and swimming and wading in the lazy river currents that flow past. Other delights are picnic and cooking sites, a playground for youngsters, pavilions, the historic covered bridge, the old-time Georgia village and the grist mill, operating as in days of yore.
Get on Hwy. 82 Spur outside of Jefferson and head toward Maysville. Less than a mile on the northwest side of I-85 you’ll find a sign pointing down a road to the park—there is a Jefferson entrance and Maysville entrance. For information call 706-367-6350 or visit www.hurricaneshoalspark.org.

Parks of Jackson County
A Photographic Essay By Shannon Jackson
Story by Caine Campbell

Sell’s Mill Park
What is there about a grist mill?
We are drawn to the old places. While they are no longer necessary, they are surely desirable.
Sell’s Mill was lovingly restored with the help of the Sell family. Playground slides, swings and other facilities were added, and now the park is open to visitors March through November, Sunday through Saturday, eight in the morning ‘til dark.
The mill and the two-story mill house are old, but as a park this site is one of Jackson County’s newest, its two phases having been dedicated in 2002 and 2005.
You’ll find it on Jackson Trail, near the intersection with Hwy. 53. Call 706-367-6350 to reserve the John Tate Pavilion or the Old Mill.

Joyce Wilkerson Park
Where is Prince Charming? Where is King
Arthur? Where is Cinderella?
Imagination will reveal everything when youngsters visit the newly constructed castle in Pendergrass. The place is made to play in, with turrets and slides and tunnels.
Joyce Wilkerson, council member, dreamed of this creation. She died in office, April 20, 2002. Later when her dream became a reality, the park was suitably named for her.
At press time, Joyce’s Castle was awaiting a safety inspection prior to being opened for youngsters in the juvenile age group.You’ll spy it beyond Pendergrass City Hall and Library.

Willoughby Park
The very name of this park sounds like an invitation to summer fun! Nestled beyond the business district in Commerce, it was once the site of the city’s swimming pool. Now a creek runs through the park, where there is playground equipment and picnics are welcome.
Each summer, the fire department treats Jackson County youngsters to a “wetting,” pictured here. In the park are a pavilion and restrooms.
For information call 706-335-3236.

Jefferson Pocket Park
With only moments to spare, you can enjoy the Pocket Park in downtown Jefferson.
Ample parking is available nearby. Perhaps you’ll find yourself already parked in the Square or in the lot formerly used by courthouse patrons. A few steps will take you to the Pocket, where a mural newly painted by Jefferson artist Dave Wiley depicts Dr. Crawford Long’s first use of ether as an anesthetic in surgery.

Parks, parks, parks
In Hoschton a small park next to the city’s depot is being updated and enlarged. There will be new sidewalks, slides, and other equipment and park benches.
Off Frances Street near Jackson County Primary School is a Braselton park with tennis courts, swings and picnic
tables. For group permission, call 706-654-3915.
The city park next to the Jefferson Community Clubhouse features swings, slides, a merry-go-round, tennis courts and ball fields. Also in Jefferson, in front of the Civic Center, is Curry Creek Park, pictured at left.
Maysville’s small and charming City Park has a
gazebo with benches and picnic tables.
In front of Talmo City Hall is a children’s park with a swing set, a slide, merry-go-round and monkey bars.There’s a children’s park in front of the City Hall in Nicholson.
Next to the Police Department in Pendergrass is the Chris Rouse Park.
No sense in going on vacation when you can stay “parked” in Jackson County!