Throughout history, access to waterways is one of the single most powerful drivers of a city’s development, economy, and culture. There is a reason almost every major ancient and modern metropolis — from New York and New Orleans to London, Istanbul and Tokyo — is situated next to a river, lake, or ocean.
Columbus is twice-blessed in that sense, although it is only beginning to leverage the full benefits of water access.
The Tombigbee River and Tenn-Tom Waterway are an important part of commercial traffic, but they have also served as a popular recreation attraction, drawing both local folks and visitors alike. The quality of life in Columbus would be greatly diminished without the Tombigbee.
But there is another waterway whose potential for recreation is only now coming to broad attention. For years, Luxapalila Creek has been a part of the city that didn’t draw much attention even though it is technically a part of the Tenn-Tom Waterway.
People hunted for fossils, fished, canoed and kayaked along the winding creek without much fanfare.
The Luxapalila Creek Park, built in the 1970s, fell into disrepair and was abandoned and closed by the city in 2020. It still sits vacant.
At least 10 years ago, local historian Rufus Ward and George Phillips (the paleontology curator at the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science) began actively advocating for a formal fossil park along the creek, which is rich in fossils that date back 80 million years.
The concept gained official momentum when the Columbus City Council authorized local officials, paleontologists, and fossil enthusiasts to begin applying for grants to build a dedicated park that would complement the $4 million Propst Park renovation. The development of the Dr. John “Jack” Kaye Cretaceous Fossil Park will turn what was once quiet local knowledge into a heavily promoted regional attraction.
There is also an effort to capitalize on the Lux in another way.
During Tuesday’s meeting, the city council voted to accept engineering qualifications from Neel-Schaffer to handle the formal consulting engineering and structural design services for a kayak launch at Propst Park. The $631,000 project is funded mostly by state grants ($536,000) and an $80,000 donation from Burns Dirt Construction. The project will also include a walking trail.
The creek is generally too shallow for most mechanized boating, but still provides fishing and recreation opportunities. We hope the kayak launch will serve multiple purposes: fishing, canoeing and tubing.
The Lux has long been a hidden jewel.
Plans for a diverse offering of recreation options will be a great addition.
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 45 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 45 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
