In recent years, Peachtree City has been working on multiple projects to make the area a more beautiful place to be. Two of the biggest projects that have finally been completed in the recent months are the new Lake Peachtree Spillway and Spyglass Island.

The Lake Peachtree dam has been an ongoing project for almost three years now. Due to arising issues with the old spillway, they began construction on a new one. The first step in the project was draining the lake of all its water. Once that process was finished, deconstruction of the old dam could take place. Then once the new one was built the lake could be filled back up and the area surrounding the dam was landscaped.

The process was a long one and quite pricey too as it ended up costing about 4.075 million dollars. All the money came from Peachtree City’s Public Improvement Project Fund which is a fund used for projects that improve areas around PTC.

Another project that was just completed alongside the new spillway is the new park called Spyglass Island. Near Battery Way, there was an island on Lake Peachtree that for the longest time had no way of being crossed. The island was full of vegetation and trees with a small clearing in the middle and Peachtree City decided to build a bridge across and turn it into a public park. After a bit of landscaping and a few additions such as picnic tables and benches, the once deserted island is now a hot spot for many residents of the city and of course McIntosh students.

The lake and the area surrounding the lake have always been a point of interest for the students of McIntosh. Seeing as multiple projects have been completed around it and the lake itself is filled back up, McIntosh students share their thoughts and opinions on the matter.

“I’ve seen both of them. Last time I went there I drove across the new dam’s bridge to get over to Spyglass Island. When I got there I chilled on the island until school started. I am so glad the lake is finally full and I really enjoy the improvements the city has been making recently. The Lake Peachtree bridge is so aesthetically pleasing,” said Senior Haleigh Passarella on the topic of the new Peachtree City improvements. The island opens up opportunities to work on school work, eat lunch, or hangout and talk with friends. The possibilities of what can be done there are endless. Because of this, Haleigh worked in the time to go there and enjoy herself.

Peachtree City was also able to take what would be a fairly uninteresting place and turn it into another beautiful locale. With a bit of landscaping and metal work they made the new dam into a point of interest for many residents.

“I’ve seen the island and the dam. Last time I was there was two weeks ago and I just stayed a while and threw rocks into the lake at spyglass island. And the last time I was at the dam was for Homecoming. Oh my goodness I’m so happy the lake is finally back. I thought it looked really ugly and it’s much better full. I really appreciate what the city is doing,” said Sophomore Natalie Francis. After homecoming she decided to go to the new dam which opens up plenty of opportunities to take pictures and make lasting memories. When the old dam was around no one was allowed to even go near it. There were fences with barbed wire preventing anyone from walking across it. Peachtree City built the new dam with the intention of not only keeping the lake securely full, but to create another beautiful locale for its residents to enjoy.

“I’ve visited the dam and Spyglass Island. The last time I went there I walked my dog at spyglass island and drove across the new dam bridge. I’m really glad the lake is back, it’s better than looking at a huge mud-hole. the new changes are pretty nice,” Said Junior Jamie Hunes on the construction on the lake area. Jamie along with others agree that the lake looks much better filled up with water. Although the lake has been gone for so long, the construction was necessary so that residents of Peachtree City could enjoy the lake for years to come.

With all these improvements to Peachtree City it wouldn’t be surprising if more projects begin to spring up soon. In fact every plan and development for PTC can be found here: http://peachtree-city.org/DocumentCenter/View/11601. This list shows every project in development and what stage it is currently in. The Lake Peachtree Spillway and Spyglass Island were taken off the list after their completion.

The new Island and Spillway have clearly sparked the interest of the McIntosh community and the possibilities that the city has open up are endless. Get out there McIntosh and go check out what Peachtree City has been hard at work on.