Number of visitors at Lake Tobesofkee on the rise

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – The number of visitors at Sandy Beach Park at Lake Tobesofkee is on the ride. Park officials say it’s because of the new water park that opened a month ago.

10,000 more people visited Sandy Beach Park this year. Even though the water park is missing some of the features developers originally said it would have, people are still floating their days away.

Thursday’s grey skies didn’t stop people from zipping down the water slides at Sandy Beach Water Park.

“During the week we do a few hundred people a day. On the weekends we’re doing about 700 or 800 people,” said Sandy Beach Water Park’s General Manager Misty Gamble.

That’s a big change compared to last year’s number of visitors to the entire park.

“We were open weekends only for Sandy Beach and then during the week, we had some private events here and we had about 3,300 people,” explained Ben Hamrick, the Lake Tobesofkee Manager.

Which has quadrupled thanks to the new water park.

“From July of last year to July of this year, we’ve probably had an increase of 10,000,” said Hamrick.

It’s not just at Sandy Beach. All of Lake Tobesofkee’s parks are getting more visitors.

“Because they come to the beach at Claystone. They’ve already paid their entry fee and then they come around here to the water park,” explained Hamrick.

So what makes Sandy Beach Water Park so special?

“Either the slides or the lazy river because you can’t go anywhere else in Macon for something like this,” said Macon resident, Jack Haughawout.

“I like the blue slide. It goes slow and it’s not that fast,” said Scout Behling who traveled from Monticello with her friends to visit the park.

“The yellow slide. It’s very fast and it’s very thrilling,” said Joyner Brand from Florida.

Even though the water park opened late and is missing a few features, Gamble is giving this season a big thumbs up.

“For a late start, it was great. Folks know we’re here and we’re so excited and geared up for next season,” said Gamble.

After this week, the park will only be open on the weekends. It will close after Labor Day weekend and reopen for its second season in May. Park officials hope to have the wave pool and third water slide ready for the next season.

The water park isn’t the only activity new to Sandy Beach. In the Spring, Macon-Bibb Commissioners agreed to allow jet ski rentals at the lake. You can find the shop near the beach and pavilions at the Sandy Beach Park. Visitors can also rent paddle board and boats.

“People come to the lake and they want something to do. They want to be able to go out there and enjoy the lake and ride something. It’s cost effective for them to not have to own it when they can just come out here and rent one,” explained the owner of Lake Tobesofkee Jet Ski Rentals, Matt Reno.

Lake Tobesofkee Jet Ski Rental shop is open from Tuesday to Sunday. For information about rates click here.