| ...................BENCH POINTS EVOLUTION ......... |
| :::::::::.CLOSED as of March 29 2017::::::::::::::::: |
..BENCH POINT FROM ITS BEGINNING 2007 -MARCH 2017...
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| READ BELOW ON HOW THIS ALL CAME ABOUT. PICTURES & CAPTIONS |
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| ..........CLICK ON THE PICTURES TO ENLARGE |
The first time I visited the point at Athens Park it was completely covered with Kudzu and thorn bushes. The only place to stand, to view the most beautiful view I had found on Lake Lanier, was on a rock outcrop on the edge of the shoreline. One day a board floated up on shore and I decided to build a bench on the rock outcrop, as shown. (upper picture to your right) Unknown to me, I had begun a new adventure. "Bench Point" and Adopt A Shoreline (AAS) was born that day. During the following years I kept working to clear the kudzu and thorn bushes that engulfed the point and adopted other areas on Lake Lanier. I found the lake so beautiful but could not believe the amount of trash along the shoreline. As the years went by I became associated with the Army Corp of Engineers, Forsyth County parks & Rec, and the Lake Lanier Association. AAS has removed over 13 tones of trash from our adopted areas and has earned the respect of the above foundations. (Note: Since the initial removal of years of trash I'm happy to announce that people visiting AAS'S adopted areas have helped to kept AAS'S areas the cleanest areas on Lake Lanier) Most importantly AAS has worked hard to earn your , YES "YOUR", respect by making Bench Point, and our other adopted areas something worth respecting. I thank "YOU" the people for giving me the opportunity to make Bench Point what it is today and what it will become. For without the respect and help from "YOU" none of this adventure would have been possible. Sincerely, George Ferris, founder of AAS
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| Board that floated up on shore was used to build the first bench on a rock outcropping at the point. The only place not covered by Kudzu and thorn bushes. |
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The pictures that you see on the right are pictures of what Bench Point used to look like. Click on the pictures to enlarge.
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| Trees being killed off by the Kudzu |
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| Kudzu covering all of Bench Point when I first arrived years ago |
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During the summer of 2016, with a donation from Martin Wing LLC, AAS built new beautiful benches onto the new grass that was planted in the fall of 2015. In addition,with the lake level being low, an erosion barrier was built using the rocks and boulders on the shore to help protect further erosion of Bench Point.
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| The point, now named "Bench Point" had come a long way after years of work |
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| In 2016 with a donation from Martin Wing LLC I decided to build all new beautiful benches hoping to earn the respect of the people that began to visit Bench Point. |
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AAS is striving to earn all visitors respect by making Bench Point something worth respecting. When we have earned your respect "YOU" automatically become part of AAS'S community. We need your respect and help, keeping Bench Point pristine, for without your respect Bench Point and AAS'S other adopted areas would not be posable. 2016 ended with many improvements and AAS is looking forward to making many more. Two additional benches facing West (looking toward Vanns Tavern) will be installed by spring. The area on the hill that was covered with dead trees and kudzu has been removed and will eventually be planted with grass. Also behind/under the 200 yr old oak tree a large round picnic table will be built. I thank all of you that frequent AAS'S adopted areas for your support and hope to get to know all of you by name. You'll have to excuse me if I ask several... many several times.... "what was your name again" ...and I will!!!! until I get it down. Sincerely, George Ferris founder of AAS (Adopt A Shoreline)
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| After years of work Bench Point is becoming a park worth respecting |
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| Bench Point Jan 6 2017 with more improvements to come |
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