Chatham County added more than 400 acres of green space to its county real estate portfolio with the Aug. 12 purchase of Green Island for $6 million.
The undeveloped island sits on the Intracoastal Waterway off the southern end of Skidaway Island surrounded by Green Island Sound to the south and Delegal Creek and marshlands on the east, north and west sides.
Funding for the purchase of the island from Savannah’s Lewis family came from a $3 million Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Program grant, matched with $3 million from the county’s Greenspace Fund, which is financed by a one cent sales tax. There are actually two islands in the purchase, Big Green Island and Little Green Island, which encompass 410 acres of upland. Owned since 1958 by a Lewis family LLC, Island Investments, the properties were appraised at $10.3 million in 2022.
State Rep. Jesse Petrea (R-Savannah) championed the GOSA grant, which was announced in 2023.
Green Island is not yet open to the public and it’s still unclear how the county will use it. It’s accessible only by boat.
Spokeswoman Abbigail Murphy said the county is evaluating the island’s “historical, cultural, and natural preservation needs, as well as its conservation priorities.”
The island’s management plan will include safety measures and guidelines for potential future public access, she said, but no there’s no timeline yet for next steps.
Petrea said he initially envisioned Green Island becoming part of Skidaway Island State Park, but state officials rejected that idea because they lacked the resources to patrol and maintain the island. He then turned to Chatham County as a beneficiary of the state funds, championing the island as a possible county park where families could boat, picnic, and hike.
Green Island was on the track to development before Petrea targeted it for the state grant program. The county echoed those concerns in its 2022 GOSA grant application:
“Chatham County seeks to purchase Green Island from a private partnership who is currently marketing the island for development,” county officials state in the document. “The purchase by the County will ensure the natural, historical and cultural resources of the island and surrounding marsh are preserved. The preservation will assure this area which is adjacent to a significant groundwater recharge area is protected from development. The preservation will provide access to the public making beautiful coastal habitats accessible for residents and visitors to explore and enjoy the vast resources of the island.”
The application goes on to state “Given its natural state, upkeep is expected to be minimal. The area will be secured with appropriate safety and access signage along with emergency contact information.”
Petrea said he’ll be happy as long as the land is protected from development.
Georgia has done a good job preserving its coast, he said, but there’s always more to do.
“I sure don’t want us to look like Jacksonville one day,” he said.
The Tide brings regular notes and observations on news and events by The Current staff.
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