A beach in North Augusta? Could it happen?

Can you imagine a real beach in North Augusta along the beautiful and cool Savannah River where you can play in the sand, swim and sail with a boardwalk, shops and eateries all within the city limits.

There is plenty of room along the Savannah. Possibly the beach can connect with the brick ponds in some way. Why let the developers grab up all the land along the river and build private million dollar homes that only a few can possess? North Augusta Beach would be a great draw for our city. Can it be done?

Just ask the residents along the Russian River in Sonoma County, Calif.

"On the Russian River in Sonoma County, Calif., there are several beaches: Veterans Memorial Beach in Healdsburg, Forestville Beach, Johnsons Beach, Monte Rio Beach and Steelhead Beach," These beaches are full-service beaches that make the communities into resort-type communities bringing "millions of visitors and bushels of money."

Johnson's Beach and Resort is located in the casual little Northern California town of Guerneville on the Russian River in Sonoma County. It is in the downtown area within walking distance of restaurants and shopping.

The Russian River is an old time resort area, and Guerneville is a tourist town and also a bedroom community for beautiful Sonoma County and beyond. It's a great place to explore or just take it easy.

Healdsburg Veterans Memorial Beach offers picnic facilities, restroom and a man-made swimming beach located on the Russian River with only $ 6 per car admission.

At the Rio Villa Beach Resort, they invite you to experience the charming and relaxing atmosphere of a bed and breakfast inn located on the banks of the Russian River in west Sonoma's wine country.

Forestville Beach has been a summer destination for San Franciscans since Victorian times. Families would take the train to spend several months in cabins along the beaches of the Russian River;

Steel Head Beach: This park offers seasonal fishing and river access for small craft such as drift boats, kayaks and canoes. It is an excellent spot for birding, viewing river wildlife and for picnicking.

North Augusta was founded as both a residential and resort town. Much of its development can be traced back to the Hampton Terrace Hotel built in 1902 by James U. Jackson on a hill overlooking Augusta.

At the time, the hotel was one of the largest and most luxurious in the nation, and it served many of the travelers who visited Augusta in the early part of the 19 century. North Augusta was being considered as one of the two possible sites for Hollywood, and it was only because of the hotel burning down that California was selected, but this is all speculation.

We have so many intelligent and creative people working for the best interest of North Augusta.

Just look at our stately municipal building, our very active Chamber of Commerce and our city management that is envied by other towns in South Carolina. The Savannah River can be one huge recreational marketing bonanza just waiting to be tapped.

The founding fathers realized that more than 100 years ago.

pverduce@comcast.net