Sandy Springs in Fulton County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)

Champion of the Chattahoochee

— Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area —

September 28, 2023

1. Champion of the Chattahoochee Marker

Inscription. Atlanta native Elliott Levitas was an active and crucial supporter of the legislation to create the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area. He made many contributions to facilitate the conservation of Georgia's natural landscapes. While serving as a state legislator he helped create the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. As a Congressman, he was instrumental in revising the Clean Water and Air Act. It was during his time in Congress that he shepherded the legislation to designate the 48-mile stretch of the Chattahoochee River as a national recreation area. The bill passed and was signed into law by President Jimmy Carter on August 15, 1978.

Today, a growing number of visitors enjoy recreational opportunities at the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area thanks to the hard work and dedication of Elliott Levitas.

(caption) Elliott Levitas championed the Superfund Law which was designed to clean up sites contaminated with hazardous substances that may endanger public health or the environment.

(caption) Levitas stands in support as President Carter signs the bill to add the Chattahoochee River as a national recreation area.

Erected by National

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Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Environment • Parks & Recreational Areas • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical date for this entry is August 15, 1978.

Location. 33° 59.206′ N, 84° 19.436′ W. Marker is in Sandy Springs, Georgia, in Fulton County. It can be reached from Island Ford Parkway. The marker is about 50 feet south of the visitor center. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1978 Island Ford Pkwy, Atlanta GA 30350, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Piedmont

and in Metro Atlanta.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Deep South.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Hewlett Lodge (about

September 28, 2023

2. Champion of the Chattahoochee Marker

300 feet away, measured in a direct line); McPherson's Troops March to Decatur (approx. 1.4 miles away); To Honor Those Who Came Before Us (approx. 1.9 miles away); The Removal of 1838 (approx. 1.9 miles away); Army of the Tennessee at Roswell (approx. 1.9 miles away); Lynching in America / Lynching of Mack Henry Brown (approx. 1.9 miles away); The Trail of Tears (approx. 1.9 miles away); McPherson’s Troops at Shallow Ford (approx. 2.1 miles away).

Credits. This page was last revised on October 13, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 4, 2026. This page has been viewed 6 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 4, 2026. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.