At the edge of Kilkenny Creek, where the tides whisper stories of days gone by, the Bryan County Fishermen’s Cooperative once stood as the heartbeat of a thriving shrimping industry. For decades, muddy boots shuffled across the docks, the salt air carried shouts of boat captains and dockhands, and shrimp boats with names like Lady Dawn, Geechee Girl, and Amazing Grace tied up to unload their bounty.

Built by hands calloused from years on the water, the Co-op was a testament to grit, community, and a deep-rooted love for the coastal life. Some came from long lines of watermen, like Leonard Crosby, who knew every bend of the creek by heart. Others, like Joe Weed and Bob Massey, ventured into the business with more passion than experience—and learned some salty lessons along the way. Together, they formed a cooperative that not only supported families but defined an era.

But as the tides shifted—with changing regulations, rising costs, and cheaper imports—the shrimping boats began to vanish. By 2004, the last harvest was hauled into Kilkenny Creek, and the docks grew quiet.

Now, two decades later, the story of the Co-op is being rewritten.

Thanks to a $3 million Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Program (GOSP) grant from the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Bryan County is transforming the historic 26-acre site into a vibrant public recreation area. This revitalized vision pays tribute to the past while looking firmly to the future—blending heritage with opportunity.

Set to include a four-lane boat ramp, two scenic observation decks, a fishing dock, pavilion, and nature trails, the new Co-op will offer residents and visitors alike a chance to reconnect with the water—this time for leisure, reflection, and community gatherings. Already, the county’s in-house public works team has made remarkable progress, installing gangways and parking.

But perhaps what’s most touching about the project is that it doesn’t erase the past. The original foundation of the Co-op remains—anchoring the memory of shrimp-laden mornings and moonlit dockside meetings. It stands as a quiet tribute to those who built it, fished from it, and fought to preserve its spirit.

As Bryan County Commission Chairman Carter Infinger notes, “The opportunity to breathe new life into one of the most storied locations in Bryan County is something we find particularly exciting… There’s certainly an emotional and nostalgic element associated with reintroducing the Co-op to a whole new generation.”

Kilkenny Creek, ever faithful in its ebb and flow, welcomes the change. Soon, it will echo once more with laughter, footsteps, and the splash of paddles and fishing lines. Maybe even a few tiny toes dipped in the water—just beginning their lifelong love of the river.