VALDOSTA — Valdosta’s mayor and Lowndes County’s commission chairman will cohost the fifth annual Mayor and Chairman’s Paddle down the Withlacoochee River on March 2.
“The annual paddle event provides a unique opportunity for residents to come together and explore the natural beauties of Lowndes County, immersing themselves in the serenity of our waterways,” said Bill Slaughter, chairman of the Lowndes County Board of Commissioners. “We encourage residents of all ages to come out and join us for a fun morning.”
“Together, we will showcase the natural beauty of our blackwater rivers and continue to work towards finding the most cost-effective solutions to educate our citizens and eliminate the trash that is littering our creeks and rivers,” said Valdosta Mayor Scott James Matheson. “With this event, we aim to empower our community and inspire everyone to take action towards protecting our precious waterways. It will take all of us working together to make a difference, and we are excited to lead the way towards a cleaner and more sustainable future.”
Suwannee Riverkeeper John S. Quarterman said WWALS Watershed Coalition, a local water conservation group, sponsors at least one daytime river paddle a month in Florida or Georgia, including this one. and there’s an evening full moon paddle at Banks Lake near Lakeland.
Tickets for the paddle are $30 per boat, but Quarterman said elected officials get in free and will have three minutes each to speak at the put-in.
The paddle will take a new route this year, going seven miles in four hours with an early takeout. Participants can come as early as 8 a.m. to Langdale Park to drop off their boats, then drive to Troupville Boat Ramp.
The Boys and Girls Club will provide a 15-seat van to shuttle participants back to the starting point.
“We love supporting this event and giving back to our community! This is just another event that shows how good the Mayor and the Commission Chairman are always working together to help this community,” said Bill Holt, VP of Operations, Boys & Girls Club of Valdosta.
“We’ll paddle three miles from Langdale Park Boat Ramp through past Three Mile Branch to Sugar Creek with early takeout,” WWALS said in a press release. “On this all-wooded route it is hard to believe you are next to the most populous city in the Suwannee River Basin. There are no houses, but you may see creeks, oaks, cypresses, pines, fish, birds, and turtles.”
During the stop at Sugar Creek, participants can see the WaterGoat trash trap purchased by the City of Valdosta and cleaned out by volunteer Russell Allen McBride and family.
That floating chain and net keeps much trash out of the river.
“Then we’ll paddle another four miles under the Norfolk Southern Railroad Bridge, past Wood Valley Subdivision and Sheri Run, and the I-75 and GA 133 highway bridges,” the press release said.
Just below Highway 133, begins the Land Between The Rivers, the 71 acres Lowndes County bought from Helen Tapp in December 2022.
“Together with the 49 acres already owned by the Valdosta-Lowndes Parks and Recreation Authority, now there will be 120 contiguous acres in public stewardship, for recreation, reflection, exploration, interpretation, and celebration,” Tapp said. She would like it to be called Between the Rivers Nature Preserve or Troupville River Park and Nature Preserve.
Just before the Little River Confluence, on the right bank is the future site of a paddle boat take-out for Troupville River Camp, which will have screened-in sleeping platforms and bathrooms with hot and cold running water and air conditioning.
“After paddling a third of a mile up the Little River, we will take out at Troupville Boat Ramp. That’s at the site of historic Troupville, the Lowndes County seat before Valdosta. The entrance road is the old north-south Broad Street of Troupville, which continues into the woods. That greatly simplifies planning for the future Troupville River Park,” WWALS said.