Fort Yargo State Park in Winder in Barrow County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)

Will-A-Way Recreation Area

Photographed By Jarrod Parker, July 23, 2023

1. Will-A-Way Recreation Area Marker

Inscription. Completed in 1971, Will-A-Way Recreational Area was the nation's first comprehensive outdoor recreational facility designed for people with disabilities. Beginning in 1966, the Georgia Department of State Parks met with multiple agencies to develop a recreation area that would eliminate the physical and psychological barriers experienced by people with disabilities. The state selected Fort Yargo State Park as the site for the recreational area due to its proximity to a large percentage of Georgia's population. Created through matching and federal funds, Will-A-Way consisted of a day-use area, group camp, and family cabins. Nearly 20 years before the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (1990) requiring equal rights for people with disabilities, Will-A-Way served as a model for states seeking to build more inclusive recreational areas.

Erected 2022 by Georgia Historical Society and Camp Twin Lakes. (Marker Number 7-2.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical year for this entry is 1971.

Location. 33° 58.754′ N, 83° 44.001′ W. Marker is in Winder, Georgia, in Barrow County. It is in Fort Yargo State Park. Marker is on Cottage Lane east of Fort Yargo Road, in the median. Touch for map

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. Marker is in this post office area: Winder GA 30680, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Explore the Unique History of Fort Yargo (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Fort Yargo's Early History (approx. 0.2 miles away); Fort Yargo (approx. 0.2 miles away); Fort Yargo's Living History Society (approx. 0.2 miles away); Fort Yargo's Cabin (approx. 0.2 miles away); Fort Yargo's Frontier Fences (approx. 0.2 miles away); Fort Yargo's Beehive Oven (approx. 0.2 miles away); Fort Yargo's Log Structure (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Winder.

Also see . . .
1. Camp Twin Lakes Will-A-Way. (Submitted on July 25, 2023.)
2. Fort Yargo State Park. Georgia State Parks & Historic Sites (Submitted on July 25, 2023.)

Photographed By Darren Jefferson Clay, February 25, 2024

2. Will-A-Way Recreation Area Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on April 12, 2024. It was originally submitted on July 25, 2023, by Jarrod Parker of Statham, Georgia. This page has been viewed 74 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on July 25, 2023, by Jarrod Parker of Statham, Georgia. 2. submitted on April 12, 2024, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.