Much to my surprise, when I checked Langdale Park Tuesday, it was open, down to Langdale Park Boat Ramp on the Withlacoochee River, on the Withlacoochee and Little River Water Trail (WLRWT).

This was fast recovery after Hurricane Helene had had the access, Hyta Mederer Road, covered with downed trees starting about a third of the way in.

Langdale Park back open 2024-12-17, After Hurricane Helene, All other VLPRA parks open

That was December 17, 2024. I was there again yesterday, Thursday, December 19, to collect a water quality sample, and took a few more pictures.

Downstream, Withlacoochee River, Langdale Park, 2024-12-19, 12:09:39, 30.8876366, -83.3243237

Jessica Catlett called today, and said Langdale Park reopened some time last week. She is the Marketing & PR Director for Valdosta-Lowndes County Parks and Recreation Authority (VLPRA).

Langdale Park sign, 2024-12-19, 12:25:08, 30.8872390, -83.3148997

She says they hired contractors and had help from FEMA. They also worked on the trails, as far as they could go before they hit water.

The VLPRA web page for Langdale Park says:

Because of damage from Hurricane Idalia, all trails at Langdale Park are closed until further notice.

Many large trees are down throughout the park’s trails, with several of them requiring heavy equipment for removal. The park is too wet for any of the necessary equipment, so for safety reasons, we are closing all trails. The road to the boat ramp, the ramp itself, and the picnic areas remain open but please stay off the trails.

She says all the other VLPRA parks are open, as in outdoor spaces, except for a few playgrounds. Please stay off the playgrounds where there is still storm damage.

Not all facilities are open. The Senior Center is still closed due to storm damage.

Andrew Peet, Stormwater Systems, Withlacoochee River, Langdale Park, 12:09:34, 30.8876366, -83.3243237

The Oak and Pine Deadfall, upstream from Langdale Park Boat Ramp, below the US 41 (North Valdosta Road) bridge, is still there.

Oak and Pine Upstream Deadfall, 11:18:23, 30.8905930, -83.3213250

One of the reasons WWALS formed back in 2012 was too many bridges closed after the 2009 flood, many of them due to deadfalls in the waterways.

We will get back to this and other deadfalls with more chainsaw cleanups in the new year.

 -jsq, John S. Quarterman, Suwannee RIVERKEEPER®

You can help with clean, swimmable, fishable, drinkable, water in the 10,000-square-mile Suwannee River Basin in Florida and Georgia by becoming a WWALS member today!
https://wwals.net/donations/

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