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| Newsletter |
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| JANUARY 2006 |
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Arabia Mountain Heritage Area Management Plan seeks approval by local stakeholders.
The Arabia Mountain Management Plan project is in the final review stage and will be presented to DeKalb, Rockdale, and Henry county officials and the State of Georgia Department of Natural Resources by year’s end.
The Plan Concept, selected by the community members at the final community meeting in March, 2005, engages the visitor at five focus areas, or landscapes, that represent the cultural, historic, and natural significance of the Heritage Area. Each focus area is accessed by a gateway that utilizes facilities, interpretive venues, and graphic materials to convey the unique stories of the Heritage Area. The primary gateway, located at Vaughters’ Farm, is the central visitor’s area, providing a thorough historic and cultural overview of the Heritage Area. This visitor center is the central focus of interpretation, and provides educational opportunities about significant wildlife, plant habitat, and historic architecture. Each gateway facility and focus area highlights and interprets a theme of the Heritage Area. Due to the fact that the primary gateway is located at an historic agricultural landscape, Culture is the emphasis of this focus area. This gateway is located along existing vehicular and pedestrian routes, and is centrally located within the Heritage Area, allowing the visitor to easily access the other four focus areas and gateways: City of Lithonia (Granite Industry & Community Focus Area); Panola Mountain State Conservation Park (Natural Systems Focus Area); South River and Flatrock Community (Early Settlement Focus Area); and Monastery of the Holy Spirit (Spiritual Landscapes Focus Area).
Each gateway, and consequently focus area, is accessed via an existing or proposed walking, vehicular, or water route system. These routes are also themed based upon five distinct interpretive opportunities or interests: the Land of Rocks and Rivers; Stonecutters; Early Settlers; Ecosystem Excursions; and Spiritual Experience. Based upon the visitor’s desired interest, each route encompasses other interpretive venues in the Heritage Area, such as cemeteries, churches, Native American and African American sites, unique ecosystems, historic homesteads and architecture, and mill sites.
The Plan’s vision for the Heritage Area- to protect, connect and educate- is guided by six comprehensive goals determined during the nine-month public involvement process: preservation, conservation, education, economic development, recreation, and interpretation.
The Management Plan Concept, meeting minutes, and all Heritage Area analysis maps are available on the Management Action Plan page of the Arabia Alliance website (www.arabiaalliance.org).
Community involvement throughout this entire project has led to the completion of a concept plan that crystallizes the common vision of many people who are committed to protecting and enhancing the Arabia Mountain Heritage Area. Thanks to all who have provided their time, energy, and feedback. We hope you will continue to be involved in preserving the natural, economic, cultural and historic resources of the Heritage area for future generations.
As a reminder, please continue to visit the ‘Management Action Plan’ page on the www.arabiaalliance.org website for up-to-date information on the project process.
Thank you for your interest in the Arabia Mountain Heritage Area. We hope that you will continue to be an integral partner in shaping a sustainable strategy for the entire Heritage area community.
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