College of Environment & Design Students Begin Work on Lakeshore Park, Threadmill Lake, and Prater’s Mill

In the Communit-E3 visioning process, Dalton-Whitfield residents of all ages emphasized the importance of greenways, parks, and trails to their quality of life. In furtherance of that work, over the past two years 10 students from the University of Georgia’s College of Environment and Design have developed concepts for the development of downtown Varnell; a community rain garden; recreation facilities; urban and rural farmers markets; the Crown Mill Village and Park; Market Street; the beautification of local interstate exits; stormwater management and streambank restoration; and Dalton State College trails. 

In September, graduate students Mario Cambardella and Rachel Johnson joined the ranks of landscape architecture students designing Dalton-Whitfield’s future. Mario and Rachel made their first trip to Dalton to meet with City-County Planner Kevin Herrit, Prater’s Mill Foundation Director Judy Alderman, and Dalton Utilities’ Vice President for Wastewater Engineering Mark Marlowe to discuss potential projects that will benefit the community. During this visit, Mario and Rachel visited Threadmill Lake, Lakeshore Park, and Prater’s Mill and discussed how their work might further community efforts at these locations. Mario and Rachel are currently working with Kevin, Judy, and Mark to assess the scope of the projects at these locations.