HIAWASSEE, Ga. – On the evening of April 17, 2018, Towns County Sole Commissioner Cliff Bradshaw officially announced a decision to cease the allowance of spray-painting rocks on Bell Mountain, a county park and historical site.

Signs announcing the new regulation are situated throughout the park.

“No more painting on Bell Mountain,” Commissioner Bradshaw asserted. “People are painting nasty stuff on the roads, on the platforms, on the trees, and of course, the rocks, so I don’t have a problem with stopping it. I’ve been working with Sheriff (Chris) Clinton on this. We’ve got cameras up there now. We’ve got new signs up saying you cannot paint.”

Bradshaw continued, “I want the public to know this is not my choice. It’s for the insurance company because of the danger factor, but at the same time, I support it because it’s a beautiful place, and it’s starting to look really bad. We want to stop it, get a handle on it, and we are going to.”

Trees on Bell Mountain, marred with graffiti.

The ordinance prohibits graffiti on not only the structures, signs, parking lot, and trees, which was forbidden in the past, but the rocks themselves have been added to the list.

Numerous park signs alerting of the regulation have been installed, and the park is continuously monitored by camera surveillance. Criminal charges will be brought against those who violate the county’s mandate.

FetchYourNews (FYN) reviewed a letter from Local Government Risk Management Services (LGRMS), dated March 1, 2018, and the field report recommendation to the county reads as follows:

“To reduce the potential of someone being injured or even killed, it is recommended allowing the park attendees to paint the rocks be stopped. By allowing the painting of the rocks, attendees have placed their selves in precarious situations which could cause injury or death. By stopping the painting, it should reduce the likelihood of placing their selves in theses areas thereby reducing the potential of an attendee being severely injured or killed.”

Bell Mountain was deeded to Towns County in 2015 by the Hal Herrin estate, and offers a magnificent panoramic view of the Appalachian Mountains and Lake Chatuge.

Bell Mountain Park is open to the public from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. during the winter months, and from 8 a.m. until 11 p.m. during daylight savings time to allow opportunities for nocturnal photography.

Bell Mountain Park is located 1.3 miles east of Hiawassee Town Square, off Highway 76. Turn left onto Shake Rag Road, travel 1.5 miles to Bell Mountain Road, turn right, and proceed an additional mile to reach the Bell Mountain Park summit.

Admission and parking are free.