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9 4 | M A C O N M A G A Z I N E . C O M J U N E / J U LY 2 0 1 9 T here are six miles of trails to walk among the mounds, grassy fields, woodlands and wetlands of Ocmulgee Mounds National Historic Park. e park, as originally organized in 1934, was called the Ocmulgee National Monument and comprised 678 acres along the Ocmulgee River in east Macon. In March, legislation gave the site federal approval to expand to a potential 2,800 acres and wear the new Ocmulgee Mounds National Historic Park moniker. It took years of arduous effort by community members, legislators and park superintendent Jim David to make it so. "We're all thrilled to see this happen after working for it for so many years," David said. "ere's been a string of people — from the very beginning until now — to see the fulfillment of what I've always considered an unfulfilled dream." David has a list of people, community leaders and others, who envisioned the Ocmulgee National Monument's expansion to better preserve the land and highlight its importance. Among them, he noted John Wilson, who in the early 2000s championed the concept of making the site Georgia's first national park and even seeing it extended along the Ocmulgee River all the way to Hawkinsville – what many refer to as the Ocmulgee corridor. Greater Macon Chamber of Commerce officials have played key roles for decades in seeking expansion for the Ocmulgee National Monument and increased recognition of its important past, present and future. "It's amazing to have this kind of proximity to what's now a national park," said Yvonne Williams, chamber president and CEO. "We've long cherished the monument and helped lead efforts for it to become a park and grow as a historic and recreational venue. e current 6 miles of trails will seem like nothing in days ahead. I envision more and more hiking and biking trails within the park — but even more, I see it becoming the hub of a trail network connecting not just to Macon-Bibb but reaching into a number of other counties." 'An opportunity we better not miss' Expansion of Ocmulgee Mounds will have broad impact on everything from tourism to conser vation efforts BY MICHAEL W. PANNELL | PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHRISTOPHER SMITH