Description and History The concept of this Apalachee River Walk originated from discussions with several landowners along the Apalachee River directly adjacent to Heritage Park.  These landowners appreciated the natural scenic beauty along the river as they had walked the river “in their own backyards” for years.  They collectively wanted not only to protect and preserve that river frontage, but also to share this glimpse at a virtually undisturbed natural beauty with others.  Some had even arranged for private viewing tours along their particular piece of the river frontage. This handful of original landowners, in 2005 enlisted the aid of the Athens Land Trust and a Farmland Protection Activist to help them develop this idea and to present it to the public, to gain their support. The landowners were informed that a conservation easement could be placed along the river frontage and held by the Land Trust, which would protect access to the River Walk in perpetuity. The donation of this conservation easement to the Land Trust could provide them with significant tax incentives. There would be problems and roadblocks of course, and many concerns and unforeseen trials and consequences to deal with. However, the potential benefit to the community made all these other consequences worth the trouble. Some of the land along the 5 ½ miles stretch being considered was owned by developers or timber companies whose intent was to develop the land along the river into housing developments, thus eliminating public access forever, and perhaps leading to the destruction of the pristine nature of the river and surrounding woodlands. Proposals were made to developers indicating to them the tremendous tax incentives available to them if they did not develop the land, but rather, donate the land to the County, and a conservation easement to the Athens Land Trust. Not to mention the public benefit and appreciation for making this river walk a possibility. New tax laws could allow them to write off the entire appraised value of the land on their federal income tax, reducing their total taxable income by 50% each year, for up to 16 years or until the entire value had been written off, whichever came first. This great expansion in tax incentives for the donation of conservation use land write off has so far only been approved for such donations made through 2007. They could also receive a Georgia State Income Tax Credit of up to $500,000 (a new state program just taking effect in 2006) for such donations for conservation and recreational use. Even if development does occur in this area (and there are many arguments against any development here), the developers were shown how being connected to this river walk could still provide significant tax benefit, as well as an outstanding amenity for their sub-division. Being part of the River Walk would also help protect developers, homeowners and homeowners associations from liability associated with their river frontage (see landowner liability section).  The acquisition of conservation easements to allow the development of the river walk is an ongoing process. The original concept is to provide public access to a 5 ½ mile river walk with one access point at Heritage Park. However, once this has been accomplished there is potential to expand further south and even north, from this original access point.