Dalton-Whitfield Archway Partnership Updates

Welcome to the Dalton-Whitfield Archway Partnership Blog. Check this blog regularly to learn about the priorities, goals, and actions of the Archway Partnership.



Thursday, August 5, 2010

Summer Update: UGA Students Gain Experience in Dalton-Whitfield

Over the past several months, eight University of Georgia students have been hard at work in Dalton-Whitfield on projects authorized by the Archway Partnership Executive Committee. Read on to find out more about this exciting work.

Photography Students “Capture” Dalton-Whitfield on Film

In June, two University of Georgia photography majors arrived in Dalton-Whitfield to take photographs of interesting sites and events in the community. Thanks to the hospitality and guidance of Bill and Linda Blackman, Alex Palmour, a senior from Cloudland, Georgia, and Anna King, a senior from Commerce, Georgia, were able to capture several local events and individuals on film. This fall, their photographs will be displayed in Athens, Atlanta, and in Archway communities around the state. In addition, their photographs will be available in digital format for future community publications.

Thanks to all community members who assisted Alex and Anna in their endeavors!  Below are a few samples of their work this summer.


Image Copyright Alex Palmour 2010


 Image Copyright Anna King 2010


Image Copyright Alex Palmour 2010


Image Copyright Anna King 2010

Recreation & Leisure Studies Student Works with Area Youth

This summer, University of Georgia Senior Barrett Beck has been hard at work as the assistant camp director at Dalton Parks and Recreation. Under the supervision of Dalton Community Center Manager Tom Pinson, Program Director Mike Miller, and Summer Camp Director Myra Baker, Barrett has developed routines, schedules, and procedures for camp operations, supervised a staff of eight counselors, and ensured the health and safety of up to 25 campers. Barrett led the campers in indoor and outdoor games, supervised pool time, helped the students with math and reading, taught them about health, nutrition and exercise, and took them on field trips.


Barrett Beck mentors a camper at Dalton Parks & Recreation's Day Camp.

Environment & Design Students Provide Concepts for Parks, Trails, Crown Mill Village, and More

Environment & Design majors Casey Marbutt, Cameron Yates, Ross Tew, Kent Mallett, and Andrew Maxey spent their summer providing concepts and detailed designs for the City of Dalton, Whitfield County, Dalton State College, and Dalton Utilities. Each project is described below.

Dalton State College Trail Design

With the assistance and direction of DSC Biology Professor John Lugthart, Whitfield County Senior GIS Technician Mitch Adams, and DSC Head Groundskeeper Lynn Morse, Archway interns Casey Marbutt and Cameron Yates had the opportunity to spend part of their summer improving and expanding the Dalton State College trail system. Currently, water runoff from the existing trail puddles at the trailhead and creates an entrance that is difficult to maneuver. Casey and Cameron developed a redesign that allows water to drain from the site without detracting visitors. In addition, Casey and Cameron used GIS information to flag, map, and measure two new trails on newly-acquired Dalton State College property. Casey and Cameron designed a trailhead map and a new entry kiosk for the trail system. A visual overview of their work can be viewed on the Archway website by clicking here.
Cameron Yates and Casey Marbutt present work that they completed for Dalton State College.

Whitfield County’s Westside Park, Carbondale Business Park, and Rocky Face Trail

Under the direction of Whitfield County Administrator Bob McLeod and Whitfield County Engineer Kent Benson, Archway interns Kent Mallett and Ross Tew spent a significant portion of their summer developing a master plan for Westside Park. The master plan that the interns developed includes a walking trail, picnic pavilions, playgrounds, and a handicap accessible fishing pier with covered pavilions. In addition, the interns located the optimal site on the property for eight tennis/basketball courts, three fields that could be used for football or soccer, four baseball fields, and a Miracle Field. The interns incorporated a trail design into the park’s master plan to make use of steep areas. The master plan created by the interns includes two entrances to the park, complete with signage and planting plans.

Kent Mallett presented the master plan to the Whitfield County Commissioners on Monday, July 26. A Dalton Daily Citizen article describing this presentation and the County Commissioners' reactions can be viewed here.

In addition to working on the Westside Park Master Plan, Ross and Kent spent significant time this summer designing an entrance and planting plan for the new Carbondale Business Park and designing a trail head and historic signage for the Rock Face hiking trail.

Ross Tew and Kent Mallett show off their design for Carbondale Business Park.

Dalton Utilities Streambank Restoration and Rain Garden Projects

UGA Archway intern Andrew Maxey spent his summer working at Dalton Utilities under the direction of Mark Buckner and Don Cope on an important storm water management and streambank restoration project. Specifically, Andrew was charged with developing a plan to restore 75 linear feet of streambank alongside Drowning Bear Creek. Without intervention, continuing erosion threatens significant damage to property in the floodplain, sewer lines located eight feet from the bank, and the environment. To solve this problem, Andrew developed a sophisticated plan that involved the implementation of a live gabion rock wall along the stream bank. A presentation describing Andrew’s plan is located here.

In addition to the streambank restoration project, Andrew assisted Dalton Utilities by conducting dry weather screening and developing a rain garden design in front of the Dalton Utilities building. Both projects are described in the presentation referenced above.

Andrew Maxey and Mark Buckner presenting their work on a streambank restoration project.

City of Dalton Linear Park Design & Crown Mill Village Concepts

Under the direction of the Dalton City Manager Ty Ross and City/County Planner Kevin Herritt, Casey Marbutt and Cameron Yates spent the majority of their summer developing design options for a linear park system in Downtown Dalton and the Crown Mill Village.

As part of their work, the interns developed two proposals for an urban park located on Crawford Street and an illustrative plan for a large urban park featuring the Manly Jail Works building. The interns also developed three proposals for turning the Crown Mill Village area into a culture and arts district, which they presented to the public for feedback on July 10. Following this presentation, the interns developed a fourth proposal incorporating the comments of community members.

Casey and Cameron’s designs can be viewed by clicking here.


Casey Marbutt and Cameron Yates discuss one of their designs with community member Dan Clark.