9 Lake Lanier parks that were expected to close down will instead stay open

Nine of the 20 parks on Lake Lanier that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers marked Wednesday for indefinite closure due to staff shortages will remain open, a spokesperson confirmed Thursday.

Only 11 parks on the lake will close, according to a Thursday afternoon update from the Army Corps.

U.S. Rep. Rich McCormick, R-Suwanee, announced the news late Wednesday on social media.

The Army Corps also announced Thursday that the Payne Campground on Lake Allatoona would remain open Memorial Day weekend and close June 2.

McCormick’s district includes much of Lake Lanier, which he said draws more than 10 million visitors a year, making it one of the most popular of the 464 lakes operated by the federal government.

Carranza said the federal hiring freeze and deferred resignation program instituted by President Donald Trump’s administration had caused staffing shortages that necessitated the park closures. Some Army Corps parks in Alabama and Mississippi were also slated to close.

“It just puts a constraint as far as manning goes,” Carranza said. “They have to strategically place people where they can.”

In a news release, the Army Corps said, “The temporary closures will remain in effect until we can adequately address the staffing shortages. Visitors are encouraged to check our website or social media channels for updates regarding the reopening of the parks and for any alternative recreational options in the area. We appreciate the community’s understanding and support during this challenging time.”

The Lake Lanier Convention and Visitors Bureau, also known as Discover Lake Lanier, stressed that the lake itself remains open.

“Most of the highly popular access points are not being closed,” President and CEO Stacey Dickson said. “Folks are not going to have difficulty accessing the lake this weekend or this summer.”

New list of Lake Lanier park closures