Lake Park, Georgia's Southern Gateway City

06/15/2026

SAVE THE DATE!

06/01/2026

NOTICE TO RESIDENTS: The Lake Park City Council Meeting scheduled for June 2, 2026 at 6:00 pm at Lake Park City Hall has been CANCELLED due to lack of quorum. Our next scheduled meeting will be held on July 7, 2026 at 6:00 pm. We apologize for any inconvenience.

05/28/2026

This Saturday, May 30, 9am - 4pm, the Lake Park City Council will be hold a Collaboration and Planning Retreat with Department Heads at 206 N Railroad Ave in Lake Park. Members of the Public are welcome to attend. While Council will review and consider comments and suggestions received from recent surveys conducted for the purposes of the development of the Comprehensive Plan update, citizen comments and participation will not be a part of this Retreat.

05/23/2026

Please remember, folks that there IS a Burn Ban in effect in Lowndes County until further notice. Lake Park is Lowndes County.

Even though the Georgia Forestry Commission has lifted the burn ban for our area, Lowndes County’s local burn restrictions remain in place due to ongoing exceptional drought conditions. While the recent rain has helped, it has not been enough to significantly improve conditions across the county.

Forestry permits and agricultural burns are not impacted by the local restrictions. At this time, open burning of yard debris, including leaves, limbs, grass, and other vegetative matter, remains temporarily restricted until drought conditions improve.

We appreciate everyone’s cooperation in helping keep our community safe.

05/06/2026

Good morning, Lake Park. Just a quick update to reassure everyone - the smoke we are seeing this morning is not from any local fires. I am including a map copied from Watch Duty showing the locations of the fires that are sending the smoke. As of now, the closest fire to us here is the Clinch/Echols fire that started April 18...latest update I have seen says that it is 65% contained. I understand there were a couple of small fires yesterday that were contained quickly, but as of now, there are none today. YOU CAN HELP:

BE AWARE - smoke from distant fires are more likely to look similar to fog, no matter how strongly you smell them.
CONTINUE TO WATCH EMA Lowndes for updates; if you are in any danger, YOU WILL BE NOTIFIED.
BURN BAN IS STILL IN PLACE - absolutely no fires of any kind.
BE CALM - panic helps no one and can create issues that hinder efforts.

Considering the current drought conditions and the many fires burning throughout North Florida, we are likely to have smoke from one or the other (or multiple others, when the wind is right) for some time, and you will be notified of any that come close. Please keep the people working on these fires in your thoughts and prayers.

04/28/2026

🚨 Drought Update for Lake Park, GA 🚨
The Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) has issued a Statewide Level 1 Drought Response Declaration due to ongoing dry conditions across Georgia.
At this time, there are no strict water restrictions, but the City of Lake Park is asking all residents to be mindful of their usage and help conserve this important resource.
💧 Simple ways you can help:• Check for and repair any leaks inside and outside your home• Turn off the tap while brushing teeth, shaving, or washing dishes• Only water your lawn when needed• Adjust sprinklers so they water grass—not sidewalks or streets
🌿 Outdoor Watering Guidelines:• Lawn and landscape watering is allowed between 4:00 PM and 10:00 AM• The following are allowed any time of day:– Watering vegetable or food gardens– Watering new plants, seed, or turf (for up to 30 days after planting)– Using drip irrigation or soaker hoses– Hand watering with a hose that has an automatic shut-off
This is a STATE-wide effort, and small changes can make a big difference. Thank you for doing your part to help protect Lake Park's water supply!
For more tips on conserving water, visit: https://epd.georgia.gov/watershed.../water-conservation

Please note: On June 24, 2015, the DNR Board adopted Drought Management Rules that replaced former rule provisions relating to outdoor water use as well as the 2003 Drought Management Plan. The Drought Management Rules, Chapter 391-3-30, require specific drought response

04/23/2026

IN REFERENCE TO THE PINELAND WILDFIRES:
Good morning. I am again responding to questions I see posted or that I'm asked regarding the fires, smoke and ash we have all been seeing lately. Please understand, I AM NOT AN EXPERT IN FIRE SCIENCE; I just happened to have been fortunate enough to have had this explained to me and want to share understanding.

This morning, the first question was about the Watch Duty maps, and confusion over the growing acreage vs. what the maps show.
Below is a map from NASA, showing the Pineland Rd. Fire. The dark red spots are where the fires are still most active; the lighter red is where they have already burned and are lower now. Understand, the lighter red areas are not out, and they can reburn....this is not uncommon in these fuels. I did notice a little bit ago that the Watch Duty maps in the app are now showing the differences, although the online version wasn't when I checked...it is still showing the whole area.
The second question was why they couldn't just put it out/why it's taking so long. A lot of this area is timberland and forest, interspersed with areas that are broom sage or brush, and in some places there is still debris on the ground from Helene, which has had plenty of time to dry. All of this catches fire easily and burns very hot and/or spreads very quickly, faster than it can easily be put out. The reality is that these fires will burn until either they have burned down to dirt or we get significant rain on them, and that means that you will likely see smoke in the vicinity for a while.
Just because you see heavy smoke or ash doesn't mean the fire is close to you....when the Okefenokee burned in 2007, there was ash fall in Arizona from our fires in Georgia. If there is danger to your area, you will be notified. Continue to watch EMA Lowndes, Echols County EMA, and Georgia Forestry sites, and, of course, Watch Duty if that is where you have been getting updates. And please continue to help by:
NO BURNING of any kind. There is a BURN BAN by both Administrative Order of the State Forester and an Executive Order of the Governor for our Counties (see yesterday's map). THERE WILL BE NO WARNINGS ISSUED FOR THIS IN LAKE PARK or, I believe, Lowndes County. YOU WILL BE CITED.
Be CAREFUL....avoid pulling off onto dry shoulders, flipping cigarette butts out the window, or mowing in areas where you may have loose rocks. The smallest spark can grow.
If you are sensitive to smoke (COPD, Asthma, etc) watch the Air Quality forecasts and stay inside if you can.

I hope this helps understanding. Continued prayers are much appreciated! Be calm and be safe.

04/22/2026

Good morning, Lake Park. This morning, the State Forester issued an Administrative Order declaring a Burn Ban for 91 Counties (Please see the Order and Map below). Georgia Forestry will be issuing NO burn permits, and any burning of agricultural, woods, yard debris or trash is prohibited for a period of at least 30 days until May 22. Thank you for your compliance and assistance.

04/21/2026

Residents in Lake Park and Lowndes County may notice an increase in smoke across the area today and over the coming days. This smoke is drifting in from multiple fires burning in surrounding counties across both South Georgia and North Florida.
Smoke conditions may vary by location and time of day, and visibility can change quickly with wind direction. At this time, there is no immediate fire threat within Lowndes County.
What to expect and what you can do:
✅Periods of heavier smoke may occur in some areas. Use caution while driving, especially in areas with low visibility
✅Visibility on roadways may be reduced at times, slow down, and allow extra distance between vehicles
✅Those with respiratory sensitivities may be impacted; consider limiting outdoor activity if smoke becomes heavy
✅If smoke increases in your area, keep windows and doors closed when possible
REMEMBER, temporary burn restrictions remain in effect in Lowndes County until further notice due to ongoing drought conditions. With extreme drought conditions in place, please avoid any outdoor burning to help prevent wildfires and protect our firefighters. Residents are also asked to refrain from activities that could create sparks and accidentally start a fire.
Lowndes County Emergency Management will continue to monitor conditions and provide updates if needed.
Let’s all keep hoping and praying for rain, lots of rain… we sure need it! 🌧️🙏

03/31/2026

Go Big for the 250th Anniversary this year! Can't wait to see Lake Park creativity in Action!