Living & Working Here - Culture and Recreation

Ranked twelfth in the February 2006 “Best Places To Live In Rural America”

Our quality of life is second to none with acclaimed schools, wonderful recreational parks, the nearby Atlantic Ocean and abundant outdoor sports.  Plus we offer a great small town atmosphere with the cultural diversity of Savannah at our back door.  And all this without any traffic jams!

            What’s more, we have a multi-talented workforce, reasonable land and construction costs, excellent utilities and two existing industrial parks.
Pembroke is away from the hustle and bustle of a large city. It is a crossroad to other communities in Liberty, Evans, Bulloch, Effingham and Chatham counties, where it takes a mere 15 to 30 minutes from Pembroke to reach their major towns of Hinesville, Claxton, Statesboro, Springfield and Savannah, respectively. Approximately 8,500 commuters pass through Pembroke daily on Highway 280 going east and west (primarily to Savannah) to work and school and to shop. Another 6,000 pass through Pembroke daily going North and South on Highway 67 (primarily to Statesboro), yet there are no traffic jams with which to contend.
The climate in this area is quite moderate. Seasonal average temperatures are 51 degrees in the winter, 66 degrees in the spring, 80 degrees in the summer and 67 degrees in the autumn. Summer days usually see afternoon rain showers that primarily account for an average rainfall of 49.7 inches each year. Temperatures in the winter are mild and snowfall is rare. Overall, the temperate climate allows for participation in outdoor activities year round, as well as an extended growing season of almost eleven months each year.
There are countless recreational opportunities in the Bryan County area. We have two rivers bordering Northern Bryan County - the Canoochee River on the West and the Ogeechee River on the East - where fishing, boating and canoeing are favorite pastimes. Avid hunters take advantage of the many forests surrounding Pembroke. Pembroke borders the Fort Stewart military reservation, which is open for hunting and fishing throughout the year. Ten minutes away from downtown Pembroke, Bryan County has an 18-hole golf course that includes a clubhouse with a grill as well as an area for large group meetings. There are two recreational parks. One is adjacent to the Bryan County Courthouse in Pembroke; and it includes a swimming pool, a softball field, a tennis court and children's playground equipment. The Hendrix Park Recreation Complex is another and is just 10 minutes away from town. Hendrix Park has a gymnasium that is used for roller skating and basketball. Mini-parks are scattered throughout the Pembroke area.
Ample housing is available either within the city or in surrounding areas such as the local golf club community. The nearest interstate, I-16, is only 11 miles from Pembroke. This gives quick, easy access for traveling west to Atlanta or east to Savannah. I-95, going North and South is only 15 minutes away from Pembroke. This quick, easy access makes driving to "town" for shopping and dining a pleasure.  There are also plenty of existing homes on the market which begin in the $90,000 price range
There are six hospitals within commuting distance from Pembroke; one in Hinesville, one in Claxton, one in Statesboro and three in Savannah. Pembroke has 24-hour emergency medical services and a new St. Josephs Health Center – Medical Office for urgent or routine visits.
A few miles South and just 20 minutes from Historic Downtown Savannah, with convenient access to I-95 and the many available services at Exits 87 & 90, it's easy to see why Richmond Hill, GA is a favorite stopover for the coastal traveler. Explore our rich heritage as you venture through small townships with traces of old plantation rice fields still clearly visible along the marsh; tour museums, browse in quaint boutiques, enjoy delectable seafood and regional cuisine overlooking the Ogeechee River and in local restaurants. Enjoy spectacular sunsets on the sparkling waters of the Great Ogeechee River and Intercoastal Waterways, or the finest in fresh and saltwater fishing and boating. For more information, visit the North Bryan Chamber of Commerce.

Hundreds of homes are planned for residential communities, offering everything from “walk to school” locations, pool/tennis complexes, to deepwater dock facilities. Prices for these upcoming homes in the Richmond Hill area average about $175,000. You can expect to get 3 to 4 bedrooms, 2 or 3 bathrooms, and other usual amenities, including an attached two-car garage.

            In addition, Richmond Hill is host to a variety of intriguing historical attractions that include, a historical society and museum; the unique J.F. Gregory Park, which is operated by the City of Richmond Hill, includes a ten-acre lake and pre-civil war rice field, a fascinating 3-mile walking trail was built on top of a dike that encompasses the historic rice field which today is a wooded wetland. Taste the excitement of salt water fishing by traveling off shore to land the big ones.  Explore the unspoiled beaches of the barrier islands or cruise the Intracoastal Waterway. Camp among the giant live oaks and beautiful salt marsh at Fort McAllister State Park. Sixty-five, trailer, and RV sites are available, as well as primitive campsites and a Pioneer Campground. Activities for everyone abound, from hiking and fishing to the scenic picnic and playground area near the historic fort. And, of course, a visit to the Civil War museum and a tour of the well preserved earthwork fortification are must-do activities. All sites are equipped with water and electrical hookups, grills, and tables. Two comfort stations provide campers with toilets, heated showers, and washer/dryers. Dock and boat ramps provide access to local waterways.

I- 95 runs through Richmond Hill and can whisk you North to Chatham County or South to Liberty County in a matter of a few minutes.  For more information on Richmond Hill, visit the Richmond Hill Convention & Visitor’s Bureau or the Richmond Hill / Bryan County Chamber.

Recreation Recreation Director:  Pratt Lockwood P.O. Box 430 Pembroke, GA 31321 Phone: (912) 858-4640 Fax:  (912) 858-4641 Web:  Bryan County Parks & Recreation Facilities & Locations South Bryan 85 Parkwood Avenue Richmond Hill, GA Gym Football Field Soccer field Inside Basketball court Baseball field Softball fields Tennis courts Restroom facilities

North Bryan 3960 Wilma Edwards Road Ellabell, GA 31308 Gym Football field Inside basketball court Outside basketball courts Baseball fields Softball fields Tennis courts Restroom Facilities

Recreation Programs

For registration information please call (912) 858-4640 for North Bryan or (912) 756-4626 for South Bryan.

Outside Basketball Courts

Public Boat Ramps

County Maintained (North Bryan): Morgan’s Bridge (Hwy 204 at Ogeechee River) Jinks Bridge (Hwy 280W at Evans County Line) DNR Maintained (South Bryan): Demere Creek (Hwy 144S about 13 mile marker) Ft McAllister (Spur Hwy 144 at Ft McAllister entrance Belfast Siding Road (near the I-95 overpass)

Public Fishing Pier

Belfast-Keller Road at the Tivoli River Bridge (South Bryan)