Brent Krenz fishes in Augusta Canal with his 3-year-old daughter, Zoe, at the headgates at Savannah Rapids Pavilion in Evans. (Jim Blaylock/Staff)

The scenic vistas of Savannah Rapids Pavilion offer out-of-town visitors and Augusta-area residents a nearby getaway from the hustle and bustle associated with Masters Week.

"You can walk five minutes down the towpath and think you're in the middle of the woods, 100 miles from civilization," said Dayton Sherrouse, the executive director of the Augusta Canal Authority. "It's an escape from development and traffic and noise."

The community center, located where the Augusta Canal meets the Savannah River at the end of Evans to Locks Road, features newly renovated headgates, a playground, picnic tables, a towpath for pedestrians and bicyclists, a visitor's center and a gorgeous view of a man-made waterfall.

Area companies provide canoe and kayak rentals, and Petersburg boat tours are conducted from Enterprise Mill in Augusta upstream to Savannah Rapids.

Future improvements at the park will include additional parking and a pedestrian bridge spanning the canal.

More than 1,000 visitors visit the park each Masters Week, said Vickie Harmon Mogilefsky, the visitor center coordinator at the Savannah Rapids Pavilion Lockkeeper's Cottage.

The man-made diversion dam at Savannah Rapids Pavilion creates a scenic waterfall. (Jim Blaylock/Staff)

"A lot of people who live here like to bring their guests to show it off," Ms. Mogilefsky said. "A lot of people just like to come here to get away."

Jolene Bryant, a recent transplant to Evans from LaGrange, Ga., said she likely will bring her two preschool-age sons, Andrew and Conner, to the playground at Savannah Rapids.

"It's just such a beautiful place to relax while the boys play," she said. "Everything here is gorgeous. It's very calming."

Reach Donnie Fetter at (706) 868-1222, ext. 113, or donnie.fetter@augustachronicle.com.

About the series

Many will come to Augusta this week to enjoy a world-class golf tournament. But where do Augustans and their guests go the rest of year? Where do they spend their time, relax and enjoy their community? This week we look at some of those places: a confidential look at our town.

Sunday: Diamond Lakes Regional Park
Monday: James Brown's statue
Tuesday: Al's Restaurant
Wednesday: The Riverwalk
Thursday: Julian Smith Casino
Friday: Savannah Rapids Pavilion
Saturday: Flea markets
Sunday: First Tee