City: Savannah, GA

Category: Parks & Recreation

Telephone: (912) 652-6780

Address: 195 Scott Stell Rd.

Description: Helicopter pilots once prepared for war on the site of this 108-acre park southwest of Savannah. Now Chatham Countians come here to play ball on the four lighted diamonds of the Jim Golden Sports Complex, shoot hoops on the four lighted basketball courts, jog and walk on the 1-mile fitness trail, and picnic under the pines. There are also a BMX bicycle track, a tree farm, and a dog exercise area. During the early 1970s, the park site was Cu Chi Stage Field, a training area for South Vietnamese helicopter pilots stationed at nearby Hunter Army Airfield. Later in the decade, the county planted the seeds, literally, for the park by making garden plots at the site available to local residents free of charge. You can still farm one of these 30-by-60-foot plots (there’s no cost involved; you simply sign an agreement stating you will be responsible for your plot) in addition to taking advantage of the other recreational opportunities offered here since the park’s completion in 1984. The fun includes fishing for bream, catfish, bass, and crappie in the pond. The park is open all year, from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. during fall and winter and from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. during spring and summer. Special events include garden workshops, fishing contests, Easter festivities, and a Halloween haunted house.