MOULTRIE, Ga.— Reed Bingham State Park, under the new direction of Park Manager Wayne Fuller, will have a “wild and busy” 2018.

Fuller became park manager in December of 2017 when he transferred in from Panola State Park near Stockbridge, Ga.

Reed Bingham is making plans for major outreach, particularly within the surrounding community.

With events scheduled such as an Easter egg hunt in March,  Little River Fest in April and a 5k run later that same month, Reed Bingham is amping up the fun for park visitors, said Fuller.

The Friends of Reed Bingham committee plans major events for the park throughout the year. On the agenda for later this year are a few big ones: the Halloween Carnival, Trunk or Treat and Christmas in the Park.

The Friends of Reed Bingham also head the funding efforts for the state park, however the events are not the park’s only source of income.

2018 will bring about a new playground facility located on the Colquitt County side of the park, across from the beach area along with new recreational equipment.

New classes are added to the growing list including basket weaving and a paddling class for beginners.

Amanda Harper, naturalist, said that the park’s main goal for 2018 is mainly to increase outreach. The park has been promoting its events on its Facebook page, flyers and on its website.

“We are trying to reach out more to locals,” said Harper. “We have people who live 10 minutes down the road who don’t even know about our programs.”

“We’re just trying to reach out to people and let them know that we’re here. This is a great family-friendly place you can come take your boat out at for free, fishing, kayaking…you just have to buy a parking pass,” said Harper. “We want all of our local families to start coming in.”

Harper said the beach area is a big attraction at the park and the new playground across from it will bring even more visitors, she said. And the pavilion at the beach is undergoing maintenance due to bat populations.

The park has launched its Shells and Scales Reptile show, where it introduces the park animals to visiting groups of youngsters. Guided hikes are popular among school groups as well.

Organizations have gotten to see the gopher tortoises and their burrows, which are a threatened species in Georgia, according to Harper. The Gopher Tortoise Trail is a mile long trail in a woodland area.

The park is open all year for camping, hiking and fishing. More information can be found gastateparks.org/ReedBingham or by calling the park office at (229) 896-3551.