Chehaw making moves to implement master plan

By Alan Mauldin

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ALBANY – A funny thing happened after the sole finalist for the director’s position at Chehaw Park & Zoo withdrew his candidacy. The Chehaw Park Authority began tackling some issues and laying out long-term plans for new exhibits like river otters and returning a former exhibit animal, the bald eagle, to the zoo.

Plans are also in the works for removing invasive species from the park’s nearly 800 acres of wild land and restoring that resource for recreational uses.

Chehaw’s executive director and site director both tendered their resignations in February 2025, and the zoo has been operating since with interim management. 

The Chehaw Park Authority thought it had found the person for the leadership role, but that fell through when the candidate, who had initially had a contract expiring elsewhere at the end of the year, had that contract extended.

But the authority has not been just waiting around for new leadership, according to board President Tom Seegmueller. 

And while it’s back to the drawing board in terms of searching for a permanent site manager, the authority has been moving forward with elements that have been in the works in its master plan for years.

“Chehaw’s really fortunate with the authority that we have that’s governing the park,” Seegmueller said. “We have the right people on that board to make those decisions and move the park forward. We have the right staff, and we have the right board. We’ve been able to solve some existing issues.”

One of the first items on the board’s list is seeking accreditation through the Zoological Association of America as well as seeking to get reaccredited through the American Zoological Association.

“We’re pretty well down the path of the (ZAA) application process and have staff who’ve requested membership in that organization,” Seegmueller said.

About half of Chehaw’s operating budget comes from the city of Albany’s hotel and motel tax, with the other attractions bringing in the balance. That does not mean just zoo visits, however.

The park hosts campers in tents, RVs and on-site camper cabins and hosts events including wedding receptions and class reunions at its education center. It also has a remote control car race track, splash pad and play park.

“We have over 115,000 people come to Chehaw annually,” Seegmueller said. “Around 11,000 people use the campground. Probably a third of the 115,000 actually go into the zoo. Two-thirds of the people are coming for the front end of the park.”

Plans are to expand the radio-controlled car venue and to renovate the play park to be more accessible. The Junior League of Albany has partnered with Chehaw to help fund the play park renovation.

“That money will be used for the inclusivity aspect of that playground,” Seegmueller said. “What good is access if you can’t plan on it? It’s going to be disability-accessible. We’re really excited about that.”

Other new amenities being considered include a dog park and concession stand/dressing area for the splash park.

To preserve the wild land, Chehaw has engaged with a number of partners, including the Georgia Forestry Commission, a forester, Quail Forever and the Joseph W. Jones Ecological Research Center.

The goal is to maintain the longleaf pine/wiregrass habitat through prescribed burning and to nurture the natural inhabitants like gopher tortoises, deer, fox squirrels and turkeys.

“We’ve borne the brunt of two floods, two tornadoes and a hurricane,” Seegmueller said. “Quail Forever has played an important role developing a wildlife management plan. Hopefully, what you’ll see five to 10 years from now is an entirely different look at Chehaw.”

At the zoo, Chehaw is looking at the addition of cougars, warty pigs, fruit bats, river otters and bald eagles.

“We have a fox exhibit that should open in the next few months,” Seegmueller said.

Next year, Chehaw is looking to kick off an annual wildlife festival, set for April 17 and 18. Those plans were made possible by Lee County dedicating some of its hotel and motel tax money to Chehaw.

“The money Lee County is contributing is basically the catalyst for making sure the festival gets off to a great start,” Seegmueller said. “People don’t realize three-quarters of Chehaw is in Lee County. Lee County has done a great deal to support the growth of the park. This will be a signature festival that we hope will be long-lived.”

So heading into 2026, there is a lot to expect out of Chehaw.

“We have a lot of things going on, and it’s time,” Seegmueller said. “People can be excited about you having a master plan for so long. They want to see them live, and that’s the path we’re on right now.”