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In Pooler, Georgia, the Savannah-Ogeechee Canal Society is rallying its volunteers to safeguard a historic canal, as developers eye the adjacent land for warehouse construction. The Society’s commitment to preserving this natural treasure is unwavering, as they strive to protect it from the encroachment of modern expansion.
On a recent Tuesday, Holly Lewis and Wendy Sevendant, dedicated volunteers with the Canal Society, offered a guided tour of the scenic trail that winds alongside the canal. This trail, a hidden gem nestled at the rear of Tom Tripplet Park, offers a serene escape into nature.
“It’s a rare find these days, with the pace of development spiraling out of control,” Lewis remarked. “We must make every effort to preserve this precious piece of nature.”
Both Lewis and Sevendant are regular visitors to the trail, cherishing its tranquility and natural beauty. They express deep concern about the potential impact of further development, noting that trees have already been felled in the past, leaving parts of the Oglethorpe Speedway Park visible from the trail. This changing landscape underscores the urgency of their mission to protect this unique environment from being overshadowed by new construction.
Lewis and Sevendant walk the nature trail frequently and said they would hate to see it overrun by development. They said trees have already been cut down in the past, causing walkers to see portions of the Oglethorpe Speedway Park from the trail.
Pooler City Council has talked about passing an ordinance that would allow three warehouses to be built at 200 Jesup Road, right next to the canal and Tom Tripplet Park.
This development could bring pollution into the canal and extra traffic through the area, Lewis said.
“When you have development, not only are they taking up space, but the run-off and the exhaust,” Lewis said. “Whatever that development or those warehouses or businesses are spewing out affects all the wildlife around it.”
Along with the warehouses, the developers plan to pave a road through the trail that would allow traffic in and out of their facility.
“They want to build a road coming from the south across this undeveloped land, across the canal and into their property,” Sevenandt said. “That’s a real concern because we’re here walking along the trail and in nature, so we are going to see seme trucks coming across here. That’s really disturbing.”
The project doesn’t just impact the trail or the canal but the homes in the area and Tom Tripplet park, Sevenandt said.
“Park users having to look at this warehouse site, there is going to be a visual impact,” Sevenandt said.
The developers are required to have a 100-foot buffer between the park and the warehouses and a 25-foot buffer between the canal, Sevendant said. However, the pair said that is not enough space to prevent negative repercussions.
This ordinance is set to be back in front of Pooler City Council on April 2.