Laura S. Walker State Park facts for kids
Laura S. Walker State Park is a cool place to visit in Georgia. It's a big state park, about 626 acres, which is like 475 football fields! You can find it near the town of Hoboken and the famous Okefenokee Swamp.
The park is named after a special lady, Laura S. Walker. She was a writer, teacher, and community leader in Georgia. She was especially known for her love of nature and animals. Because the park is so close to the Okefenokee Swamp, it's home to many amazing plants and animals. You might spot alligators, tall great blue herons, and even unique pitcher plants here. The park also has a large lake, perfect for water fun, and a championship 18-hole golf course.
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Park History: How It Began
In the 1930s, people wanted to honor Laura S. Walker. She was a Waycross, Georgia resident who worked hard to protect forests and help her community. Georgia's Senators asked President Franklin D. Roosevelt to create a national park in her name.
President Roosevelt agreed, making her the only living person to have a state or national park named after them! In 1937, the government bought old farmland for the park. This was part of a program to help farmers during tough times.
Workers from the Works Progress Administration (WPA) and the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) helped build the park. These were government programs that gave jobs to many people during the Great Depression. They built roads, buildings, and other parts of the park. In 1941, the national park was given to the state of Georgia. It became Georgia's 13th state park, a place for everyone to enjoy nature.
Fun Things to Do at the Park
Laura S. Walker State Park has lots of ways to have fun and enjoy the outdoors:
- 39 spots for tents, trailers, and RVs if you want to camp
- 6 cozy cabins for sportsmen
- 7 picnic shelters for outdoor meals
- 4 larger shelters for groups
- 1 big group camp area
- 1 special campground for pioneers
- A swimming beach to cool off
- Rentals for kayaks to explore the lake
Annual Events: Join the Fun!
The park hosts exciting events each year. One popular event is the Okefenokee 10K Race. This race happens every March and is a great way to see the park while getting some exercise!
Gallery
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tent and trailer campsites
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picnic shelter
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group shelter
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swimming area
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kayak and paddle board rentals
