The Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has awarded Oconee County a $3 million grant for expansion of and improvements to Heritage Park, located on U.S. 441 south of Farmington.
The county made application for the grant after agreeing last October to spend $1.91 million to acquire 110 pristine acres to expand the park. The DNR has decided to allow the grant to cover that purchase price.
The county will match the $3 million grant with that same amount of money taken from its Capital Fund.
The money from the grant and from the county will be used to refurbish and realign the existing 18 miles of hiking, equestrian, and biking trails and develop of up to three additional miles of new hiking and equestrian trails.
Also planned are construction of new parking areas and restroom facilities and the addition of new wayfinding and informational signage throughout the park.
The plans also call for new equestrian arena facilities and drainage improvements to support both recreational riding and local equestrian events.
Final purchase of the 110 acres brings to 474 the total acreage of the park and increases by 579 feet access to the Apalachee River, bringing the total river frontage to 1,033 feet.
Announcement Of Award
The county announced receipt of the grant award in a news release dated June 8 from Communications Director Diane Baggett.
“The Heritage Park improvements made possible through this grant will significantly expand recreational opportunities for residents and visitors while preserving one of Oconee County’s most valued natural assets,” Baggett quotes Oconee County Board of Commissioner Chairman John Daniell as saying.
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| Pond On New Acreage Picture From Grant Application |
The grant is from the Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Program of the DNR that was authorized by the Georgia General Assembly in 2018.
The grant program provides a dedicated funding mechanism to support parks and trails and protect and acquire lands critical to wildlife, clean water and outdoor recreation across the state of Georgia.
Grants have been awarded each year since 2019.
The DNR announced in March that Oconee County would be one of 14 projects selected for funding in the 2025-2026 finding cycle.
Other recipients were the Augusta Canal Authority, Caroll County, the City of Atlanta, the City of Monroe, six units of the Department of Natural resources, Houston County, Southeastern Trust for Parks and Land, and the Wayne County Altamaha River and Leisure Service Authority.
“Oconee County will expand and enhance Heritage Park by acquiring an adjacent 110-acre tract and improving the existing 364-acre park to create a regional destination for nature-based recreation,” the DNR announcement said.
The Board of Commissioners authorized County Administrator Justin Kirouac to apply to the DRN Grant Program on Sept. 30 when it gave initial approval to the purchase of the additional 110 acres. Application deadline was Oct. 17.
The actual purchase of the property from Dorset Trapnell and Mark Farmer took place on Jan. 9, according to county tax records.
Grant Application
According to the grant application, “Oconee County seeks to enhance 364-Acre Heritage Park’s trail network for expanded opportunities for hikers, equestrian, and off-road cyclists while providing enhanced accessibility and amenities through parking and restroom enhancements as well as purchase an adjacent 110-acre tract to provide additional horse trails as well as fishing and nature sightseeing opportunities.”
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| Stream On New Acreage Picture From Grant Application |
“Heritage Park contains approximately 19 miles of trails that will be realigned to better serve the bicycle and equestrian communities,” according to the application.
“An additional three miles of equestrian trails would initially be established on the acquisition property that will interconnect with the existing trail network and open opportunities to view natural site features such as a two-acre preservation pond, perennial stream with shoals, and over 579-feet of frontage on the Apalachee River,” the application reads.
“Heritage Park is planning on improving its existing equestrian arenas (active arenas and activity areas not included in grant application) and in doing so will transform into a premier environmental and passive recreation park in the region by providing the necessary amenities such as restrooms and vehicle/equestrian trailer parking for park users,” according to the application.
“Design for the park’s parking and restroom areas will incorporate bioswales, pervious parking, and other environmental best practices that server to protect vulnerable wetlands, stream buffers and other sensitive environmental areas,” the application states.
“Additionally, the entire park area will be fitted with wayfinding signage to enhance safety and prevent conflicts between multiple disciplines of trail uses,” according to the application.
“The end result of this project will be a 474-acre premier regional park with over 22 miles of bicycle, equestrian, and hiking trails along with the needed parking and restroom amenities to provide accessible usage to citizens from the surrounding area,” the application states.
River Access
“Additionally, the property acquisition will provide an aggregate of over 1,000 feet of river frontage on the Apalachee River and allow significant ecological preservation of stream and river buffers as well as other environmentally sensitive areas,” according to the application.
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| Apalachee River From New Acreage Picture From Grant Application |
The application noted that Oconee County is “framed by two rivers (Apalachee River and Oconee/Middle Oconee River); however, public access to the rivers is significantly restricted due to private ownership of the majority of the land.”
“While not part of the current development plan,” according to the application, “the acquisition of significant frontage along the Apalachee River opens the opportunity to develop the planned Blueway river trail with a potential kayak launch point.”
"The preservation of 110 acres of pristine woodlands, streams and river frontage combine with the existing 374-acre Heritage Park to provide an unmatched nature-based recreational experience for the area,” according to the application.
The present acreage of Heritage Park is split into several parcels, according to county tax records
The main parcel is 275 acres, but that large tract borders 61 acres that is heavily forested but also includes the county dump.
Another six acre-parcel is partially forested but also includes the county Animal Shelter.
Another 19-acre forested tract stretches up to Branch Road.
All acreage estimates are taken from tax records.
Sale Of Property
At the Sept. 30, 2025, meeting of the Board of Commissioners, Trapnell said she and Farmer, her husband, purchased the property in 1997. They live in Winterville.
“For nearly 30 years, we've been faithful stewards of this land, pouring our hearts and souls into this little piece of heaven,” she said.
“Now, thanks to the support of you, the Oconee County Board of Commissioners, we have the opportunity to share this beautiful slice of Georgia with our fellow citizens,” she said.
“It is our sincere hope that the unspoiled nature of this property will bring joy and peace to future generations,” she added.
According to the county tax records, the 110 acres are divided into three parcels, which are classified mostly as woodlands.
None of the tracts contains any structures, according to those records.
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