Created: 11/27/2009 3:42:25 PM 
JEKYLL ISLAND, Ga. (AP) -- Jekyll Island's governing authority has hired Southwestern Wilderness of Edison, Ga., to build Great Dunes Park, a 20-acre green space that will lie alongside the dune system at Jekyll's main beach.
It's the first part of a plan to revitalize Jekyll's town center.
The plan includes a convention center, beachside shopping, a pedestrian district and new hotels.
The authority considers the beach village project a key ingredient in attracting visitors back to the aging state park.
The park will replace Jekyll's cracked concrete boardwalk with a new 10-foot-wide tabby-style one that curves around dunes and connects to the rest of Jekyll's trail system.
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