By Joe Parker Jr.
Coastal Courier (Hinesville, GA) Correspondent
jparkerjr@coastalcourier.com
Midway’s Cay Creek Wetlands Interpretive Center is closed until further notice while authorities investigate a fire of unknown origin that destroyed 150-200 feet of the boardwalk and some surrounding plants.
Midway Mayor Don Emmons said the damage was estimated at between $7,000 and $10,000, and was covered by insurance.
The fire was reported Thursday and firefighters from the Midway Volunteer Fire Department and the Georgia Forestry Commission responded to extinguish the flames.
The low level, smoldering fire was not detected by the Forestry Commission's daily fire surveillance overflights and could have been burning for several days, Emmons said.
A hunter reported the fire.
The center began to take shape in 2000 with donations and work by volunteers who planted indigenous trees such as oak, cypress, magnolia and red maple. A 1,000-foot walkway allowed visitors to access the wetlands, rice dikes and fields without harming the ecology.
Future planning is for an extended boardwalk that will be handicapped-accessible, an interpretative building, a kiosk and possibly guided boat tours of the creek.
The center was launched under the late Mayor Britt Hollingsworth, and Emmons said restoring and completing the project is now one of his priorities for Midway.
Coastal Courier (Hinesville, GA) Correspondent
jparkerjr@coastalcourier.com
Midway’s Cay Creek Wetlands Interpretive Center is closed until further notice while authorities investigate a fire of unknown origin that destroyed 150-200 feet of the boardwalk and some surrounding plants.
Midway Mayor Don Emmons said the damage was estimated at between $7,000 and $10,000, and was covered by insurance.
The fire was reported Thursday and firefighters from the Midway Volunteer Fire Department and the Georgia Forestry Commission responded to extinguish the flames.
The low level, smoldering fire was not detected by the Forestry Commission's daily fire surveillance overflights and could have been burning for several days, Emmons said.
A hunter reported the fire.
The center began to take shape in 2000 with donations and work by volunteers who planted indigenous trees such as oak, cypress, magnolia and red maple. A 1,000-foot walkway allowed visitors to access the wetlands, rice dikes and fields without harming the ecology.
Future planning is for an extended boardwalk that will be handicapped-accessible, an interpretative building, a kiosk and possibly guided boat tours of the creek.
The center was launched under the late Mayor Britt Hollingsworth, and Emmons said restoring and completing the project is now one of his priorities for Midway.