Luxury outdoors investor takes first steps in Lake Tobesofkee improvement project

Atlanta investors arrived at the shores of Sandy Beach at Lake Tobesofkee on Thursday night with a proposal to build modern improvements around the lake.

They were met by about 50 Lake Tobesofkee residents, employees and other lake frequenters who voiced concerns about everything from park fees to lake maintenance infrastructure.

Lovejoy Capital, an Atlanta investment firm specializing in luxury outdoors rentals, visited Lake Tobesofkee as the first of several steps in the firm’s plan to bring “glamping,” short for glamorous camping, and new amenities to the lake. The company approached Macon-Bibb County with the proposal last June.

Murphy Talmadge, one of Lovejoy Capital’s founders and a descendant of former Georgia Gov. Herman Talmadge, noted that the project is in its very early stages and said the purpose of the town hall was to hear from the community to inform its agreement with the county.

He said Lovejoy will fill the demand for “glamping” and extend visitors’ trips to the park by offering amenities such as concession stands or a puzzle maze.

“We want more people using the things y’all are already using,” Talmadge told attendees.

‘Glamping’, EV chargers, concession stands possible 

Lovejoy Capital LLC was formed in February 2024, according to its business records filed with the state. The company has members experienced with “outdoor hospitality ventures across 36 states,” according to its presentation.

The firm’s website displays a blank login page. The company has several other ongoing projects, including a similar proposal in Troup County for improvements to Pyne Road Park. 

Lovejoy Capital has not yet completed any of these projects, Lovejoy spokesperson Thornton Kennedy said.

Lovejoy plans to build dozens of rental units at Lake Tobesofkee, including holiday cabins and British Landpods, which are movable, compact off-the-grid cabins. The company will also be responsible for managing reservations for park stays, according to Lovejoy’s proposal.

One of the main components of the project would be adding a tourist maze to Sandy Beach, connecting to playgrounds and other family activities meant to enhance the time families already spend at the beach, Talmadge said.

Lovejoy proposed building bike racks, EV charging stations, a trail system and additional fishing docks around the park. 

“The main thing we add is hospitality,” Talmadge said. “These places already have great facilities.”

Nothing is set in stone yet, Kennedy said.

Lovejoy Capital would provide the funding while the county would provide its facilities. The terms of this public-private partnership have yet to be finalized and will be more clear once Lovejoy receives an interim agreement from the county, as required by the county.

In exchange for its funding, Lovejoy would collect revenue from the rental units. The county would receive a portion of that revenue and benefit from a hotel-motel tax.

According to Lovejoy’s proposal, the project is estimated to cost about $23 million, however Talmadge said the company still has to conduct a feasibility study and hammer out the revenue share agreement with the county. 

Tobesofkee residents hopeful, hesitant about proposal 

The developers’ plans sounded a familiar tune to the residents of Lake Tobesofkee, who were meeting a short ways away from the now defunct Sandy Beach water park, which closed in 2023 after several ownership changes and a series of operational challenges.

“Will there be transparent contingency plans or guarantees that we don’t end up with this,” one man asked, gesturing toward the former water park. 

Phil Martin, a captain at The Sailing Center at Lake Tobesofkee, which teaches kids and adults with developmental disabilities how to sail, said he thought the proposed changes were positive. He came to the meeting curious about what would become of the park’s employees.

Talmadge reassured residents that lake fees wouldn’t go up and people working at the lake would keep their jobs.

Martin said he left the meeting still wondering about how involved Lovejoy would be in operating the development.

Tony Thomaston made one thing clear: leave the duck ponds alone. He said he’s seen how the ponds can be a safe place for families to have “clean fun.” 

He held a kid’s fishing derby there last month and has lived on Saint Anthony’s Drive for seven years. He said he’s weary about Lovejoy’s promise to keep fees down because the project is ultimately an investment with expectations of a financial return.

Thomaston said he wants everyone to be able to use the parks, but the county should take a look at and work with what’s already there.

“I want growth, we need growth, our county needs growth for sure,” Thomaston said, “But not at the expense of families.”

The next step for Lovejoy Capital will be presenting to the Macon-Bibb County Board of Commissioners. The investment firm will then determine the scope of the project and enter into an interim agreement to begin further planning.