The Line Creek Nature Area,

a little-known bit of paradise that hugs the western border of Peachtree

City, will be the beneficiary of hundreds of helping hands this weekend,

when Fayette County residents pitch in as part of the 10th annual National

Public Lands Day.

Volunteers will gather at 1

p.m. Saturday to clean up litter and debris in the 70-acre preserve, which

runs the length of Line Creek for about 1.5 miles along the Fayette-Coweta

line.

They'll assist with litter

pickup along trails and in the parking lot, cut back small brush around

the pond to improve fishing access, and move fallen trees and brush blocking

trails and scenic overlooks. They'll be joined by nearly 80,000 volunteers

working at 500 similar sites across the country.

Peachtree City Mayor Steve

Brown issued a proclamation at Thursday's City Council Meeting proclaiming

Sept. 20 as "National Public Lands Day" in Peachtree City.

Southern Conservation Trust

manages the Line Creek Nature Area, which is still undiscovered by the

many thousands who drive right past its entrance every day on busy Ga.

Highway 54 West.

From an obscure entrance accessed

through the parking lot of the Days Inn, the preserve offers nature lovers

some of the largest hardwood trees in the area, treacherously steep inclines

of sheer granite similar to Stone Mountain, cascading waterfalls and huge

boulders to climb.

There's also a stocked

fishing pond, a fishing dock constructed by the Fayette County Rotary

Club, and several miles of both easy and challenging trails. Boy Scout

troops have installed an information kiosk, picnic tables, benches and

a small amphitheatre, and Husky Corp. donated the funding for construction

of a gazebo.

But the most fascinating "structure"

was built more 140 years ago, a stone and masonary bridge that used to

cross the creek but was destroyed during the Civil War.

It's one of the few remants

of pre-Civil War Fayette County that's still distinguishable.

"National Public Lands

Day is a great opportunity to showcase and improve the public lands and

natural beauty that are Peachtree City's trademark," Brown said.

"I encourage all our residents to lend a hand to keep our natural

areas in top condition."

Added Abby Jordan, executive

director of the Southern Conservation Trust, "Public greenspace such

as the Line Creek preserve make Peachtree City special. This Work Day

is a great way for the community to come together, have fun, and improve

a unique natural area."

Southern Conservation Trust

is a 10-year old Peachtree City-based nonprofit organization that owns

and manages over 600 acres of environmentally sensitive land in Fayette

County. SCT runs the Flat Creek Nature Center, hosts environmental programs

and enhances its holdings with trails, overlooks, and the re-introduction

of native species. As a regional land trust, SCT works with willing landowners

to provide options for protecting scenic open space that benefit the greater

community and can offer tax advantages for the landowner.

Work Day participants should

bring work gloves and wear sturdy shoes. Volunteers should check in at

the Nature Area parking lot from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Drinks will be provided.

For more information, call the Southern Conservation Trust at 770-486-7774

or email [email protected].