Park to add campsites at Stone Mtn.

State officials expect to award a construction bid this month for a campground expansion with about 50 additional sites at Stone Mountain State Park, with completion expected by around May 2005. Most of the camp sites will have water and sewer hookups for recreational vehicle (RV) campers, said state parks spokesman Charlie Peak.

"Negotiations are under way with the low bidder," said Peak, adding that total cost is estimated at $2.3 million.

Meanwhile, Stone Mountain State Park officials this week announced that the 15th annual Old Fashion Day, scheduled for October 2004, has been canceled due to logistical and safety concerns related to construction of the new campground facilities near where the festival is held. "After careful consideration by state park staff, the decision was made to postpone the event until after construction of a new campground loop," stated a news release.

"In previous years, a large field near the entrance of the park (off John P. Frank Parkway) was used for parking while shuttles transported visitors to the event. All routine park traffic was also diverted around the festival for safety reasons and to reduce congestion at the entrance of the festival. Due to the upcoming construction of a new campground loop, the parking area and the road used to divert traffic will not be available," the release stated.

The Old Fashion Day festival has been held for the past 14 years and traditionally attracts several thousand visitors each year. Mountain crafts, music and environmental displays are among the event's attractions.

"It is the intent of Stone Mountain State Park to continue with the festival in future years when ample parking is secured and all safety concerns have been addressed," the release stated.

The new campground will have the park's first electrical and water hookups for RVs and will more than double its existing number of campsites.

The project, on about 10 acres adjoining the park's existing campground, was originally expected open in early 2004 but was delayed.

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