For the sake of our community
Education, Preservation, and Recreation
Stephens County, Georgia
MILESTONES
1999 Incorporation of the Stephens County Foundation
2000 Stephens County Foundation receives nonprofit designation
2002 Purchase of the 87 acres that comprise Tugaloo Bend Heritage Park
2003 “Twilight on Tugaloo – Dinner on the River” begins
2003 Lainie Weade Memorial Tour de Tugaloo Benefit Bicycle Ride begins
2006 First Property Walk-over with Trustees to chart/identify the first trail (River Loop Trail—now Noyowee and Estatoe Trails)
2007 Mitchell Allen Foundation commits to a challenge grant of $40,000 for completion of the Caretakers Cottage
2007 First Boat/Bike Poker Run Fundraising Drive
2007 Ridge/Upland Trail (now Taucoe Trail) first marked out
2008 Initial clearing completed on the Ridge/Upland Trail (now Taucoe Trail) completed by Toccoa Falls College Outdoor Club
2008 Grant to construct trails [Minutes of March 2007 note that the DNR Recreational Trails Grant not granted]
2008 River History Padddle Tours begin
2008 Stephens Federal Bank hosts the Foundation’s Pottery Display
2008 Recreational Trails Grant for Restrooms and Parking Lot
2009 Seasonal Nature Walks begin
2009 Oral History Project Begins
2010 First Native American Artifact Road Show
2010 First “Tugaloo to Tennessee” Brunch fundraiser at Gate Cottage, highlighting the historical relationship between the Corridor and the Turnpike
2010 DNR Grant Funding for Recreational Trails becomes available
2010 Outdoor Classroom Eagle Scout Project completed by Michael Grubbs
2010 Ridge Trail (now Taucoe Trail) Bench Improvements Eagle Scout Project completed by Nathan Clary
2010 Hart EMC Grant of $5,000 for Office Furnishings in Superintendent’s Cottage
2010 Board supports research and work relative to the Unicoi Turnpike
2011 Mitchell Allen Caretaker’s Cottage completed, first Site Superintendents hired
2011 Parking Lot designed, cleared, and completed
2011 Water well completed
2011 Pavilion completed
2011 SCF River Views Newsletter inaugurated
2011 Kiosk Eagle Scout Project completed by Caleb Masten
2011 Stephens County School Administrators first visits Tugaloo Bend for tour
2012 Second “Tugaloo to Tennessee” Brunch fundraiser at Gate Cottage, highlighting Traveler’s Rest, the Tugaloo Corridor and the Unicoi Turnpike
2012 Restrooms completed with contributions from Global Partitions
2012 Landscaping for Parking Lot designed and completed by North Georgia Tech
2012 Pavilion Furniture added
2012 Handicapped portion of the Unicoi Trail completed
2012 Georgia Humanities Council Grant of $1350 for the Oral History Project is awarded
2012 Tent Platforms for camping area Eagle Scout Project completed by Clayton Fulbright
2012 Collier Causeway completed
2012 Stephens County Foundation becomes member of the Toccoa-Stephens County Chamber of Commerce
2013 Georgia Humanities Council—Oral History Grant Presentation “From our Past, In the Present, For the Future: Preserving Oral History Along the Tugaloo Corridor” in the Mitchell Allen Room of the Stephens County Historical Society
2013 Pavilion named for Mrs. Elizabeth T. Hayes, elder stateswoman of the Tugaloo Valley
2013 Tugaloo Bend sign and front gate added
2014 Jammin’ at the Bend begins
2014 Student field trips to the Bend begin with the Wattle and Daub Project with Stephens County Middle School 8th Grade
2014 Pavilion landscaping Eagle Scout Project completed
2015 River History Sunset Paddle Tours begin
2015 Roy Collier begins annual February meetings at First Methodist on Native American history of the Corridor
2015 Board supports research and work relative to the Dinky Line Railroad
2017 Canoes and kayaks purchased for use as rentals
2017 Wattle and daub project on Taucoe Trail begins
2017 Tour de Tugaloo Benefit Bicycle Ride hits the 500 registered rider mark
2018 Kayak shed built with grant from Irvin Foundation
2018 Natural History River Paddle Tour begins
2019 Construction and completion of an outdoor kitchen. Funding for the kitchen was provided by a grant from Hart EMC and a second grant from the Georgia Department of Economic Development, in partnership with the City of Toccoa.
2019 Development of the Tugaloo River Water Trail as part of the Georgia River Network
2021 A grant from the Rotary Foundation was received to support the development and installation of curriculum based interpretive signs as part of the self-guided instructional program being implemented for visiting students.
2021 The Tugaloo River Water Trail officially opens in May
2021 Kayak fleet expanded to meet demands during summer.
2021 Utility vehicle purchased for maintenance and trail support.
2021 Two Boy Scout Eagle projects completed. One is a firepit, chairs and a picnic table at the pavilion and the other is path walkway over a lowland area of the River Trail.
2022 SC Foundation enters into an agreement with the US Corps of Engineers for River Cane Project. The Cherokee Nation and the Eastern Band of Cherokees have expressed interest in restoration of the river cane for use by tribal artisans and for interpretive purposes.
2022 A six craft trailer purchased for use in the kayak and canoe rental efforts.
2023 Wine in the Woods event held - April
2023 Swings / Playground constructed by Eagle Project - Arrowood - May
2023 Water line installed to hilltop - June
2023 Tim Hale Memorial Dedication - June
2023 Stephens County Schools 8th Grade students (approx. 250) visit Tugaloo Bend - November
2023 Outdoor classroom renovation by Eagle Project - Scout Troop 217 newest Eagle Scout, Trayvon B - December
2024 New Park manager chosen - Brent Ware - January