Callaway Gardens, known for its famous butterfly gardens, plans to sell nearly a third of its property to settle heavy debt. (photo courtesy Vicki DeLoach)
Edward Callaway, chief executive officer and chairman of the Ida Cason Callaway Foundation, says resort operations have been suffering for a long time. The Columbus Ledger-Enquirer reports the resort once attracted 1 million visitors per year, but attendance was down to 395,000 last summer.
The 13,000-acre resort turns 60 on Monday.
Callaway would not disclose who is buying the 4,000 acres. If the property's sale goes through and a planned fundraising campaign is successful, the foundation wants to refurbish the park's buildings and roads and turn it into a year-round attraction.
