TIFTON — The 400 year-old magnolia tree was once a vibrant and thriving symbol of Tifton and a staple for Tifton tourism. But now the tree and the green space surrounding it are locked behind a fence, accessible only to members of crews attempting to clean it up.
According to Tift County Human Resources Director Karen Meija, it’s doubtful whether the park will ever re-open to the general public due to vandalism and security concerns.
“We keep it locked up because of the vandalism,” Mejia said. “I doubt if it will ever open up to anyone other than school groups or other kind of groups because of the risk of more damage.”
The fire damaged the tree and an observation deck under the tree in August 2004. Fire officials never released the cause of the blaze.
Since then, the gated park has been closed to the general public.
Marianne Hill, former president of the Magnolia Tree Foundation, said that the current state of the tree is just sad. She hopes that people will once again come together to restore the majesty of the tree that, at one time, was the largest in the state.
“I hope people can get behind this beautiful tree once again,” Hill said. “People still visit it when they’re in town and it’s something we need to fix.”
To contact reporter JD Sumner, call 382-4321.
Local News
Landmark still recuperating from fire
- Local News
-
-
Downtown Farmer's Market opens Saturday
The Downtown Development Authority has announced the 2013 opening of the Downtown Tifton Farmer’s Market May 18 from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The market, located on the platform of the historical Tift Terminal Railway Museum, will feature the new streetscape including enhanced landscaping, new sidewalks for easy accessibility and so much more.
- Police report for May 17
-
Benefit this Saturday
A benefit cookout for Hope Ministries of Ashburn will be held from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at Crossroad Choppers located on Highway 82 West, across from LOCOS, in Tifton. Crossroad Choppers is sponsoring this event.
-
Commissioner seeks help for crime watch on southside
Tift County Commissioner Melissa Chevers, with help from the Tift County Sheriff’s Office, is hoping to implement a Neighborhood Crime Watch group on the south side of Tifton.
-
‘Major challenges’ ahead for farm bill, but Ga. Peanut Commission optimistic
Georgia Peanut Commission Chairman Armond Morris spoke at a press conference held at the Commission Thursday afternoon regarding farm bill progress made this week by the U.S. Senate and House Committees on Agriculture. The House Agriculture Committee has approved a five-year, $500 billion farm bill on a 36-10 vote.
-
UGA Tifton Campus funding approved
When Gov. Nathan Deal signed the budget recently passed by the Georgia state legislature, a long-awaited renovation project for the University of Georgia Tifton Campus was finally moved forward.The budget includes $4.7 million for the renovation of the Tift building on the UGA Tifton Campus. The building, which has been vacant for years, will eventually house administrative offices as well as offices for key support personnel and new scientific positions. - Police report for May 16
-
Health fair this Saturday
The third annual “Pump up the Volume in a Healthy Way” Community Health Fair will be held from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday at the Tift County Recreation Department multi-purpose building located at 401 Victory Drive N. This event is being provided by Tift County, Tift County Recreation and Tift Regional Medical Center and is free for all ages of the community.
-
Argument leads to shooting
A Tifton man has been arrested after allegedly shooting another local man in his side in the chest area, says Det. Terry Allen and Sgt. Dorminey McCrae with the Tifton Police Department.According to an incident report filed at the TPD, at approximately 9:40 p.m. Monday, Tift County 911 advised all units they received a report of a shooting at a residence in the 1100 block of South Park Avenue.
-
Concert in the Park to feature The Carpenters
The Carpenters will be taking the stage at noon Friday at Veterans Memorial Park as this spring’s Concert in the Park series continues.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Conn. Commuter Trains Collide; 60 Go to Hospital
Coffee Run Leads to Hatchet Hitchhiker Arrest
Fmr. IRS Head Insists No Politics in Targeting
CDC: Fecal Bacteria Common in Swimming Pools
$1 Million in Jewels Stolen at Cannes Film Fest
NM Mom Chases Down Child Abductor
Raw: Crash Sends Car Into Fla. Pool
Raw: Obama Sits Down With Elementary Kids
Raw: Bear Falls From Tampa Tree
Ousted IRS Chief: Errors Not Caused by Politics
Terror Suspect Due in Court in Idaho Friday
Raw: Driver Ejected From Truck, Over Bridge
Could Tobacco Be the Next Biofuel?
Wash. State Releases Draft Rules for Legal Pot
Dying Man's Blinks Lead to Murder Conviction
Officials: Texas Tornado Likely Had 200 Mph Wind
Brothers Arrested in NOLA Parade Shooting
Raw: School Bus Crash Injures Five Children
Quick Response Saved Baby on Phila. Train Tracks
One Million Evacuated As Cyclone Hits Bangladesh
