For the sake of our community
Education, Preservation, and Recreation
Stephens County, Georgia
8th Graders Visit October 2024
Some 250 8th grader visited Tugaloo Bend on October 21-23. "I think it is great to bring our students here, many who would otherwise never know of the great history and outdoors available right in their hometown!” said Chase Coleman, teacher and field trip coordinator for SCMS. "Many would otherwise never know of the great history and outdoors spaces that are available so close to home without these field trips,” Coleman continued.
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For the second year in a row, volunteers at the park organized a program for the students directly related to their curriculum in Georgia Studies. Students experienced hands-on primitive hut building, stickball games and outdoor investigation. Tugaloo Bend is uniquely located for learning about the history of the Cherokee people, regional geography and the wide variety of wildlife along the Tugaloo Corridor.
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Learning Tree Field Trip September 2024
Tugaloo Bend once again welcomed the Learning Tree students this year. The group had the opportunity to explore the park and Tugaloo River by canoes and kayaks. Below, you'll find the new raptor nest, which boasts an impressive size for the kids to admire. The park has several new guided programs for visitors. Use the Educational Resources pages to see the guides.
Wine in the Woods April 2024
The 2nd Annual Wine in the Woods welcomed over 100 friends. The food, beverages, and music provided for a wonderful evening at the Bend. Many thanks to those that attended - your financial support and the generous sponsors donations provide capital for improvements to the park.
Observation Deck Renovation March 2024
Thanks to a hard working scout group and a grant from Hart EMC the observation deck was replaced.
Tim Hale Memorial Dedication June 2023
The former SCF Trustee Tim Hale will be remembered by the memorial garden planted in his honor at the Tugaloo Bend hilltop. Tim joined the board of trustees of the Foundation very early on and remained active until his death in 2022. Visitors at the Bend will be welcomed to the park by Tim's blueberry bushes and will see the fruits of his labor in every aspect of the park.
Wine in the Woods April 2023
It was an unforgettable evening of wine, music, and giving back at our "Wine in the Woods" charity event on April 22, 2023. It was a truly special occasion with a lively bluegrass band and an array of delicious heavy horsd'oeuvres paired with great wine and delicious beers. Approximately 100 people attended the event and many commented that they had never visited The Bend and really appreciated all that the Foundation had done to make such a wonderful park for the community. This will likely be an annual event to support the park.
River Cane Project - Credit: The Toccoa Record (April 7,2022)
Tugaloo Bend Park is adding another glimpse into how the Cherokee Native Americans lived their everyday lives. The Stephens County Foundation, in partnership with the Savannah District of the Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and the Cherokee Nation, is developing a River Cane Demonstration Area at Tugaloo Bend Park off Yonah Dam Road. A Corps of Engineers crew, aided by familiar Tugaloo Bend Park mascot Buddy, planted river cane during a workday staged last month.
The river cane project will enhance restoration of an ecologically and culturally significant native plant species and depict how it grew in this area more than 200 years ago. Canebrakes once covered large areas of the Southeastern United States.
It is estimated that less than 2 percent of native cane species remain today in this critically endangered ecosystem. The plant is significant to Native American communities, and in the past extensive canebrakes were created either through systemic burning or agriculture for material and cultural uses.
Restoration of river cane has ecological and wildlife benefits as well. River cane provides habitat for a variety of songbirds, particularly warblers and vireos. Restoration of native canes will enhance habitat and corridors for wildlife movement as well as provide a source of cane for the Cherokee Nation.
River cane is used by the Cherokee to create baskets, blowguns, flutes, sleeping mats, and arrows. The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians have expressed interest in restoration of river cane for use by tribal artisans and for interpretive purposes.
For many years, local resident Ray Ward supplied river cane from his property to the Eastern Band for use in making authentic cultural objects. The project at Tugaloo Bend can provide cane to renew that arrangement, along with an opportunity for park visitors to learn about the value of river cane.
Though it will be several years before the cane matures, its progress will be visible to people walking along the river on the Noyowee Trail.
Tugaloo Bend Park is open to visitors at 2104 Yonah Dam Road. There are picnic tables and benches along the river trails. The park also features a pavilion, outdoor kitchen and restrooms. Handicap parking and a paved trail accessible to all is adjacent to the pavilion area.
Corps of Engineers river cane work crew members were (from left) Jeff Brooks, Sandy Campbell, Jason Whiting, Tim Crabtree, Dustin Cullen and Buddy the dog
Stephens County Foundation University
The “Stephens County Foundation University” is an entity created to bring educational experiences to the community. Numbers of volunteers, many of them retired teachers, have brought their knowledge and skills to Tugaloo Bend, as we offer an increasing number of educational opportunities to students and adults alike.
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During several days in October 2017, both the sixth grade and the eighth grade from Stephens County Middle School were involved in study activities at Tugaloo Bend. These activities were coordinated with the current curriculum of the classes, and were led by volunteers who are members of the Stephens County Foundation University faculty. There were approximately 600 students participating in the activities, over 6 separate days.
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Sixth grade students were involved in sessions centering around the natural surroundings of the area, the plants and animals found there, as well as lessons on the soils and effects of erosion in the area.
Eighth grade students were there to learn about the history of the area, both Native American and later periods. These students had the opportunity to experience the “Wattle and Daub” construction methods of the Cherokee peoples, by participating in a “hands on” session, partially constructing a frame dwelling similar to that in which the Cherokees lived. The “daub” material consists of red mud and straw. The students seemed to particularly enjoy getting their hands dirty as they participated in this activity.
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Persons who would like to know more about “the University” and who are interested in participating should call 706. 282. 7636.
Tour de Bend Bike & Hike
In 2015 & 2016 , the Tour de Bend was held in conjunction with the Tour de Tugaloo Benefit Bicycle Ride.
This family friendly event featured a 2- mile bicycle ride from Yonah Dam Park to the Tugaloo Bend Heritage Park site. Participants went on a nature hike followed by a history lesson around the camp fire along with s'mores, of course!
Participants then cycled back to Yonah Dam Park for lunch and took part in the festivities of the Tour de Tugaloo.
