Galingayle

Galingayle is a private lake club and master-planned community encompassing 315 acres of waterfront property near the northern end of Lake Oconee, Georgia. Galingayle is being developed as a family-friendly lake club that will have one of the few equestrian centers in the area. In addition, the development will be one of the only communities with a full marina on Lake Oconee. The community features a variety of homesites within its 240 lots, including waterfront property with private docks, multi-acre equestrian estates, wooded single-family homesites and a collection of cottage lots located near the lake and community amenities

History of Galingayle

Galingayle encompasses 300 acres of land, with approximately 2 miles of frontage on the northern section of Lake Oconee. The land along this section of the lake is rich in recorded history, dating back before the arrival of early European pioneers. At this time, the region was inhabited by Cherokee and Creek Indians who hunted and traded heavily along the Oconee River. These tribes eventually were forced to relocate to Oklahoma along the brutal "Trail of Tears."

Bay the late 1800s, land in the region was readily available, often selling for as little as $1.00 per acre. Much of this land was purchased with the intent of logging dense hardwood and Longleaf pine forests. With much of the native forests depleted the United States Congress authorized the USDA Forest Service to begin purchasing land for management and preservation. Since that time the Forest Service has undertaken long-tern natural restoration projects, protecting and in some cases expanding the remaining old-growth forests. Originally travel through the forests was by horseback only with sleeping accommodations in log cabins, tents, or in the open field. [Schneider, Rachel. “History of the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests.” 8 Sep. 2007. USDA Forest Service 8 Sep. 2008. < http://www.fs.fed.us/conf/chatto_history.htm>.]

Today methods of travel have significantly progressed and Galingayle accommodations are among the elite of current developers. The Galingayle property was formerly family-owned until 2007 when Lake Oconee Associates, LLC purchased the land. [Jarrett, Blake. “New Lake Club Community Breaking Ground this Spring on Lake Oconee.” 21 Apr. 2008. Galingayle. 4 Sep. 2008. < http://www.ifproduction.com/intra-blog/?p=96>.] Prior to its purchase by Lake Oconee Associates, LLC, the property was one of the last remaining family-owned farms in the quickly developing region. Dating back to before the construction of Lake Oconee, the land had been a working cattle farm. Several other investors and development companies also sought to purchase the land; however, it is believed that the family felt the Lake Oconee Associates plan was more environmentally sound and respectful to the property.

Lake Oconee Associates, LLC

Lake Oconee Associates, LLC is a team of experienced real estate developers from the Lake Oconee area, Atlanta and Florida. The development team has over 80 years of combined experience in real estate development, including commercial, office, retail, residential and mixed-use projects in more than 25 states. These projects have included more than 4,000 total housing units and over $1 billion in new development. The team’s leadership has extensive education and experience in real estate development, construction, engineering, homebuilding and real estate law. [“The Developer’s Story.” 2008. Galingayle. 8 Sep. 2008. .]

Geography

Location

Located on U.S. Route 278 between the historic, Georgian towns of Madison (GA) and Greensboro (GA), and minutes away from I-20, Galingayle is an hour’s drive from Atlanta and Augusta (GA), and less than 45 minutes from Athens (GA). Galingayle is approximately 11 miles east of Madison, a popular destination for tourists and antique shoppers, known regionally as “The Town Sherman Refused to Burn.” There are nearly 100 preserved and restored Antebellum homes in Madison’s historic district, as well as a wide selection of boutiques, antique dealers and restaurants. In 2001, Madison was named the “#1 Small Town in America” (Travel Holiday). [Williams, Clint. "Big changes in Madison make a visit worthwhile." Atlanta Journal Consitution. 26 Mar 2008. 12 Sep 2008 .]

Lake Oconee, GA

Galingayle is near the northern tip of Lake Oconee, the second largest lake in the state of Georgia. ["georgia.gov - Lake Oconee." State of Georgia. 12 Sep 2008 .] The lake was created in 1979 by Georgia Power, making it one of just two constant-level lakes in Georgia. ["hydro-usa-fl-ga." Hydroelectric Plants in Florida & Georgia. 19 Aug 2006. Power Plants Across the World. 12 Sep 2008 .] Lake Oconee stretches for 20 miles, covering nearly 19,000 acres. [Georgia Department of Community Affairs. State of Georgia. 12 Sep 2008 . ] [“Lake Oconee.” 2008. Georgia Power Company. 3 Sep. 2008. . ] At Galingayle’s placement on Lake Oconee, the lake is calm and on average 21 feet in depth, but ranges up to 100 feet near the dam.

Oconee National Forest

Directly across the lake from the community sits the Redlands Wildlife Management Area of the Oconee National Forest. [“Forest Visitor Maps.” 18 Aug. 2008. USDA Forest Service. 3 Sep. 2008. .] The Oconee National Forest covers more than 115,000 acres of 8 counties in Central Georgia. With gently rolling hills, natural streams and a wealth of native wildlife, the Oconee is known for camping and hiking and fishing in the region. A number of great trails across varying terrain encompass the forest, including several horseback riding trails and others that are open to all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and mountain bikes.

Indian mounds

The forest is also home to several ancient Indian mounds and the site of Scull Shoals (GA), a crumbling ghost town located just across the lake near Greensboro. [Cooksey, Elizabeth B. “Greene County.” New Georgia Encyclopedia. 11 Nov. 2005. Georgia Humanities Council and the University of Georgia Press. 3 Sep. 2008. .] [“Overview of the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests.” 30 Nov. 2007. USDA Forest Service. 3 Sep. 2008. .] The nearest burial mounds are found in Eatonton (GA),30 minutes from Galingayle near the intersection of Madison Hwy (U.S. 129) and Rock Eagle Road. Known as Rock Eagle, this tumulus is believed to have been constructed before Christopher Columbus landed in America. [Donald, Daniel D. “Rock Eagle Mound.” 2008. The Historical Marker Database. 4 Sep. 2008. < http://www.hmdb.org/marker.asp?marker=416>.]

Climate

The area of Lake Oconee is a Cfa humid subtropical climate by the Köppen classification, with warm summers and cool, but occasionally chilly winters. Summer average highs for Madison (GA) range from 82-91°F while lows range from 69-78°F. Winter highs range 52-66°F and lows 31-42°F. Throughout the year precipitation is fairly consistent with 3.18 inches in the month of October up to 5.26 inches in March. [“Monthly Averages for Atlanta, GA.” 2008. Weather.com. 4 Sep. 2008. .]

Amenities

Marina

Galingalye is being developed to feature one of the only full marinas on Lake Oconee, with 90-slips and a boat lodge for up to 45 craft. The lake club will serve the community by providing waterskiing and wakeboarding lessons as well as seasonal rentals including skis, boards, and kayaks for use on the community beach.

Equestrian facilities

Stables will provide boarding, training and riding services with a 20-stall barn, outdoor riding arena and more than 80 acres of fenced pasture with access to the hiking & bridle trails. At this facility horses will be professionally trained, guided trail rides will be given, and lessons from kids’ camps to clinics and advanced riding programs will be taught.

Professional trainers ensure resident horses receive attention and specialized horse care. Full boarding services include feeding and supplements, cleaning of stalls, 2-hour turnouts in paddocks, and scheduled farrier visits and vet calls. Trainers also ride and exercise the horses.

Clubhouse

Clubhouse amenities will include lounge areas, a billiard room, kitchen, fitness center, covered outdoor patio, sport courts and equipment rentals. The facility offers relaxing views out to the pool and lake beyond. The fitness center is seasonally staffed to coordinate activities, including bocce ball, croquet and pool events.

Tennis Center

Private and semi-private lessons will be taught, as well as kids camps and community clinics designed to help practice specific skills, develop strategy or to simply provide cardio workouts.

Children's waterpark

Galingayle is unique in its future development of a children’s waterpark near the lake club. The park will include slides and pool depths designed for the safety of children, expanding the lake club experience for all ages of the family.

Hiking and bridle trails

The property is home to several miles of community hike & bike trails as well as bridle trails that connect directly to the Equestrian Center. Just outside the property, the Oconee National Forest hosts even more hiking and mountain biking trails. The USDA Forest Service writes the following of the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest Trails:

:“Winding trails lead visitors through scenic mountains and rolling hills, by wild rushing rivers and cascading waterfalls. They also lead visitors through the history books: Spanish conquistador Hernando de Soto's futile search for gold, the United States' first frenzied gold rush. The Cherokee Indians' struggle to hold on to heir lands, and major battles of the Civil War.

:“Ten wildernesses, 1,367 miles of trout streams, and 430 miles of trails enrich the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest. The famous 2,135-mile Appalachian Trail begins here and hardy hikers don't see the end until they reach Maine.” [“Overview of the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests.” 30 Nov. 2007. USDA Forest Service. 8 Sep. 2008. .]

References

External links

* [http://www.galingayle.com Galingayle]
* [http://www.madisonga.org/ Madison, Georgia Chamber of Commerce]
* [http://www.oconee.org/ Lake Oconee]
* [http://www.lakesinclair.org/ Lake Sinclair]
* [http://www.lakeoconeeoutfitters.com/ Lake Oconee Outfitters]
* [http://www.thelodgeonlakeoconee.com/ The Lodge on Lake Oconee]
* [http://www.fs.fed.us/conf/ Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests]