While the most recent court order regarding a Glynn County park did not fall in favor of the environmental groups and historical advocates, one group says the battle is far from over.
The Glynn Environmental Coalition, established in 1990 as a nonprofit organization focused on clean environment and a health economy for citizens of coastal Georgia, has long been one of the most vocal advocates for the preservation of Twitty Park, a century-old public green space on St. Simons Island that environmentalists and residents describe as both a community landmark and an important natural resource.
In 2019, the Glynn Environmental Coalition and local resident Jane Fraser pursued litigation in Glynn County Superior Court challenging the county’s transfer of the park. They argued that Twitty Park was subject to Georgia’s public trust principles governing public parkland and that Glynn County lacked authority to dispose of it.
Ultimately, a Glynn County Superior Court judge ruled that the county’s transfer of the park was invalid and found that the property could not be disposed of unless it was no longer used by the public or unsuitable for that purpose. The win was a victory for advocates.
More recently, challenges arose by GEC over a proposed roundabout that will take a portion of the park at the corner of Frederica and Sea Island roads on St. Simons Island.
This is from their recent press release:
The Glynn Environmental Coalition remains committed to protecting Twitty Park, defending Georgia’s public lands, and ensuring that government officials uphold their responsibilities under the public trust doctrine following a recent court order in the ongoing legal dispute at the historic public park.
While the court declined to hold Glynn County in contempt of its 2019 order, the ruling did not determine whether the County’s proposed roundabout project complies with the public trust doctrine or the restrictions contained in the historic Cain Deed. In fact, the court specifically stated that those questions were not properly before it in the contempt proceeding and therefore were not decided.
“The court’s decision should not be interpreted as approval of the proposed encroachment into Twitty Park,” said Rachael Thompson, Executive Director of Glynn Environmental Coalition. “The fundamental question remains unanswered: whether public land dedicated for the use and benefit of the public can be diminished or repurposed in a way that undermines the public’s rights and the intent of the original deed.”
At the heart of this matter is a principle that has guided public land stewardship for generations: land dedicated to the public should remain protected for public use. In 1924, Twitty Park was conveyed to Glynn County as a gift from local businessman T.L. Cain for the benefit of the public. The public trust doctrine recognizes that governments serve as stewards—not owners free to dispose of or diminish these resources without accountability.
“This case has always been about more than a single project,” said Thompson. “It is about protecting public assets for future generations and ensuring that public officials honor both the letter and spirit of commitments made over a century ago.”
Decisions affecting public parks, open space, and community resources should be made transparently and with meaningful opportunities for residents to participate in the process. Glynn Environmental Coalition continues to believe that any project resulting in the loss of parkland warrants thorough scrutiny and robust public engagement. Residents who value public parks, open space, and responsible stewardship of community resources are encouraged to stay informed and engaged as discussions about the future of Twitty Park continue.
Find more information by visiting twittypark.org or connecting organizing efforts on Facebook (facebook.com/twittypark).
