Rediscovering Fort Pulaski National Monument

Every spring, I look forward to buying my annual Fort Pulaski National Monument pass for the great locals’ price of $10. What a deal! Ft. Pulaski is open all year-round. I always appreciate my time in the park and I learn something new every time I go. I am writing this article with hope that others can experience the same pleasures of discovering, or rediscovering Fort Pulaski’s great dog friendly trails, bike paths, open spaces, wildlife, birds, kayaking, the Fort and the history. Every time we go, we do something completely different. All these great things to do, and just a 5 minute drive from Tybee.

The history of the Fort is truly amazing. Prior to the Civil War, brick forts were America’s main defense against overseas enemies. This Fort was quickly seized and held by Confederate troops after the secession of the southern states. This fort would play a crucial role in defending the access to the port of Savannah. However, in one two-day battle on April 10-11, 1862, the new weapons technology proved its superiority to brick forts. The Union forces used newly rifled cannons to compel a surrender by Confederates inside Fort Pulaski, for their commander feared the Fort’s power storage room could be hit, explode, and kill everyone defending. No one ever built a brick fort again after the battle. Guided tours are offered daily, and the interpretive program includes musket firings, expanded living history programs, and cannon demonstrations.

The outdoor enthusiast will really enjoy exploring the nature trails throughout the park. Selected trails include: North Pier, Lighthouse Overlook, Historic Dike System, and McQueens Island Rails to Trails. The North Pier Trail takes you through a scenic wood, passes the remnants of early fort buildings, and ends at the shore Battery Hambright and pier. The Lighthouse Overlook Trail guides visitors along open marsh as well as a coastal vegetated environment offering great views of the Savannah River, and Tybee Island. The short trail also offers the island’s best views of the historic 19th century Cockspur Island Lighthouse. You can even walk out to the Lighthouse at low tide. The Dike System Trail shows the handy work of Lt. Robert E. Lee, who designed the dike system, which allowed for tide control and drainage, and aided the construction of Fort Pulaski. This longer trail circles the Fort, and offers visitors unparalleled views of Cockspur Island and the Savannah River. Lastly, the McQueens Island Rails to Trails located on McQueens Island at the entrance to the park is my favorite. This six-mile trail follows the path of the old Tybee rail line that once connected Savannah to the beaches of Tybee Island. The packed-gravel trail is open to bikers, runners, walkers, and is the only trail where leashed dogs are not allowed.

For nature lovers, the park supports many species of birds and wildlife. While visiting, you may catch a glimpse of one of the many protected species that have been identified at the park. Large populations of both resident and migratory birds are present. The salt marshes and upland areas of Fort Pulaski National Monument support many species of wildlife, including an abundance of White Tail Deer and Raccoons. If you’re lucky, you may catch a glimpse of one of the 11 protected species that have been identified at the park. These are: American oystercatcher, bald eagle, gull-billed tern, least tern, loggerhead sea turtle, manatee, peregrine falcon, piping plover, swallow-tailed kite, Wilson’s plover and woodstork.

Don’t forget to plan your trip wisely, and wear comfortable shoes, bring snacks or lunch, plenty of insect repellent and plenty of water, especially in the summer months. Last visit my dog loved the trails and playing on the river’s edge. And what I learned on this visit of a historical nature, I hope never repeats itself – and that was that the spring 1881 storm was 23 feet above sea level totally flooded the Lighthouse!

For Tybee residents, I think the annual pass is a great deal and must have.

Again, I wish you great discoveries and rediscoveries at the Fort!

Bill

You may contact Bill Gillespie at william.gillespie@us.army.mil

For more information, please check-out the Park Service site: http://www.nps.gov/fopu/index.htm.
(3 Photos compliments of Fort Pulaski National Park)

(Photo close-up of Cockspur Lighthouse by Cynthia Kinkel, copyright 2010, The Tybee Times)

Your Monthly Bill

Are We Ready for Dogs on the Beach?

There has been much scuttlebutt around our fine drinking establishments that this could really be the year!  The year for what, you ask: “Dogs on the Beach, at Tybee.”  Many believe it is an idea whose time has come again.  In just over two months, a FaceBook group site called Dogs on Beach, Tybee, Georgia, garnered over 3000 supporters.  The group includes Tybee residents, Savannahians, Chatham County residents, former tourists and potential tourists.  They all are asking for trial access, and soon.  There are some great advantages and possibly some not so nice side effects for dogs on our beaches.

Locally Hilton Head, St. Simons, Jekyll, Amelia Islands, and Jacksonville all allow some form of dog access on their beaches.  It appears they have worked through all the tough issues – water quality, policy, enforcement, education, and self-regulation and compliance.  These locations are well marketed and published in all state, national and international vacation guides.  Jekyll Island is actually ranked number ten in the USA, “Best Dog Beaches.”  For these beach locations, dog access has been a win for residents, tied to quality of life improvement, and a win for tourists and tourist related businesses.   Tybee could use a win-win, especially all year ‘round.

Tampa Bay, Florida and Venice Beach, California are two examples of dog beach access being an economic windfall.  These two dog friendly cities like the results of being dog friendly, since dog owners spend more, stay longer and are a step up in socioeconomic demographics from the regular tourist.   Pets and the pet industry have proved to be recession proof.  A whopping 55% of American tourists vacation with their pet (Atlanta Magazine, 2/2009).  Dog beach access can benefit a community in many other positive ways, including raised property values; people moving to the area to be close to the dog park; a safer neighborhood; a sense of community where people can socialize, network and make friends; and of course happy, socialized dogs who make better pets and neighbors.

Our own local tourist study by Georgia Tech business students supports a positive dog access outcome for Tybee.  The tourism study on those that vacation on Tybee called the typical extended stay visitors, “educated professionals, conservative, upper –to middle income, and married couples with children.”  This classification fits the “responsible dog owner” profile perfectly, and could be a starting point for further research, discussion, and a trial for dogs on Tybee beaches.

Many residents are rightly worried about legal issues, water quality and irresponsible folks leaving behind poop.  However, studies after study say otherwise, in fact, these issues can’t be substantially documented, according to a California state study examining 56 dog beaches.  People in general are responsible, and help to police each other.  Even Georgia DNR cannot link dog waste to any water quality issues.  As for transmitted parasites like roundworm, ringworm, and hookworm, they have not been a serious issue on southern beaches in decades; monthly heartworm medicine kills these parasites in dogs, as does sun and air exposure. Many vets and medical doctors believe media and government officials would do better promoting the use of sun screen, protective clothing and water safety than focusing on E. Coli bacteria, sand borne diseases and dog disease transmission to humans – all just are extremely rare (Health Facts and Fear, American Council on Science and Health).

These tough economic times call for some additional thought and leadership.  Tybee loses out on millions of dollars of tourist revenue because of the dog restriction. Many Atlantans vacation on Hilton Head and St. Simons because they want to vacation with their pet dog.  Additionally, our housing market suffers because it is hard to attract retirees with dogs.  Tourists and beach home buyers have many options out there, and very close by.  There are many good dog access options: limited hours, seasonal access only, designated areas, access fees, and volunteer beach marshals.  Easing the restriction could be an economic windfall and win-win for all.  It has been for all the other beach areas cited that allow access.  Is it time for a Tybee beach test and trial area?
Think about it!
Bill

Columnist Bill Gillespie is a retired Army Corps of Engineers Lieutenant Colonel. Currently, he’s a part-time History Professor, at AASU, an Army Retirement Career Coach at Ft. Stewart, and an active citizen and proud Tybee community member.
Contact contributing writer, Bill Gillespie by e-mail at william.gillespie@us.army.mil.