FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — A tranquil 1.25-mile long paved nature trail, and a scenic Etowah River that rolls along the boundary of the historic Trail of Tears are among the things that made Tuesday’s ribbon cutting ceremony at Eagle’s Beak Park special.

The ceremony  marked the expansion of the park located at 8420  Old Federal Road, including the paved trail, historical signage, inclusive playground and picnic pavilions.

District 4 County Commissioner Cindy Jones Mills whose efforts helped make the expansion possible, said. “When I first  heard that this opportunity was available, I thought about Eagle’s Beak, located on the Trail of Tears I knew this would be a perfect  place to honor the rich Native American history and have a park where parents can teach their children about it.”

Additions to the park were made possible through a $2.25 million Georgia Department of Natural Resources grant and is one of only 14

statewide recipients of the inaugural Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Program (GOSP) grant. The county’s contribution to the grant $769,000 which is paid through the County’s Landfill Host Fee Fund.

Construction was provided by the Bayne Development Group and the architect for the new amenities, Hayes, James and Associates.