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Marietta, GA 30090
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Parks Bond allows county to preserve precious greenspace
By Tiffany A. Lewis
CobbLine staff
In 2006, Cobb voters overwhelmingly approved issuing a $40 million bond to purchase much-needed park land. The county has since worked diligently to enhance quality of life in this category, including the acquisition of more than 300 acres of greenspace.
Many factors contributed to the need for the bond, including the fact that of the 220,000 total acres of land in Cobb, more than 90 percent is developed. As the amount of undeveloped land decreases, prices for available land suitable for park space increases.
Upon voter approval, Parks staff collaborated with the bond citizen advisory committee to thoroughly consider all properties nominated by willing sellers. From the nominated sites, the advisory committee researched and compiled a priority list which was then approved by the Board of Commissioners.
“We are extremely pleased with the success of the 2006 parks bond program,” Bob Ash, public services agency director, said. “With assistance from the citizens advisory group, four tiers of properties were recommended for purchase and the county has been able to buy five of the six top sites recommended.”
Ninety-five acres of Hyde Farm land on Lower Roswell Road in east Cobb was purchased through a combined effort with the National Parks Service and The Trust for Public Land (TPL). TPL purchased 40 acres in 1992. Cobb plans to team with the National Parks Service Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area to maintain the area and eventually develop a passive recreation and education center where visitors can see how a farm operated in the early 1900s.
The county also acquired the Bullard Farm-Stockton site, 112 acres off Dallas Highway in west Cobb. The land includes an antebellum house that served as a Confederate hospital. Initial plans include using the park for passive recreation and trails.
More than 137 acres on Brownsville Road in southwest Cobb was bought, adjacent to the 88-acre Stout Park. The combined 225 acres makes this area larger than Piedmont Park.
The other two top tier purchases were 16 acres off Veteran’s Memorial Highway near Henderson Road and the Chattahoochee River and 26.5 acres of the Mabry Centennial Farm at the corner of Wesley Chapel Road and Sandy Plains Road.
Additionally, Cobb purchased almost 18 acres on Stilesboro Road, immediately adjacent to Leone Hall Price Park.
And all this was accomplished without increasing taxes.
“We have been able to preserve some premium land around Cobb,” Chairman Sam Olens said. “The parks bond helps us ensure future generations will be able to enjoy the natural beauty of our area. Each site has its own unique character and each will serve our residents for years to come.”
Cobb County’s master plan calls for 10.5 acres of park space per 1,000 residents and the parks bond has helped move toward this goal.
With a little more than $2 million left from the bond, the county is still looking to purchase more land, possibly including smaller tracts that could be used as pocket parks.
Parks Bonds Properties
Henderson Property – Taken with other surrounding County holdings, there is a potential trailhead opportunity and connectivity with the proposed Nickajack Creek Greenway Walking Trail. The 16 acres of woodlands features historic Civil War earthworks and will complement the scope of the Greenway Trail plan.
View Property Map .gif)
Price Property – This 17.8 acre property adds to the County’s 100 plus acre Leone Hall Price property, much of which has been master planned for passive park use. The additional parcel has a mix of hardwood and pine trees, along with open field areas on high ground.
View Property Map
Bullard–Stockton Properties – These two properties total approximately 112 acres. They offer gently rolling hills and open fields reminiscent of Piedmont Park’s open meadow area, and provide unobstructed views of Kennesaw Mountain. Especially when combined with the contiguous existing Oregon Park, the size of this property would offer significant quality of life improvements for the public.
View Property Map
Hyde Farm Property – Located on a ridge overlooking the Chattahoochee River, the property is in a key watershed protection area, and contains branches of Mulberry Creek. The nearly pristine natural setting combines with an historic working farmstead, dating back to the Civil War. Opportunities include passive recreation such as hiking, bird and wildlife observation as well as educational programming and field trips.
View Property Map
Mabry Property – This 26.5 acre parcel is one of the few large tracts remaining in east Cobb County. Much of the land is open pasture, with some wooded area surrounding a pond. The property has the feel of being in the country, even while in the middle of densely populated east Cobb.
View Property Map
Stana Property – The 137 acre property is home to abundant wildlife, and is a mix of open land and forest drained by medium sized creeks. When combined with the contiguous existing Stout property, the resulting 200+ acres will support multiple trail systems built for separate types of users. A combined park of this size is unusual in size and character for a largely urban region.
View Property Map
Countywide Map Featuring All Properties
View Map
CobbLine staff
In 2006, Cobb voters overwhelmingly approved issuing a $40 million bond to purchase much-needed park land. The county has since worked diligently to enhance quality of life in this category, including the acquisition of more than 300 acres of greenspace.
Many factors contributed to the need for the bond, including the fact that of the 220,000 total acres of land in Cobb, more than 90 percent is developed. As the amount of undeveloped land decreases, prices for available land suitable for park space increases.
Upon voter approval, Parks staff collaborated with the bond citizen advisory committee to thoroughly consider all properties nominated by willing sellers. From the nominated sites, the advisory committee researched and compiled a priority list which was then approved by the Board of Commissioners.
“We are extremely pleased with the success of the 2006 parks bond program,” Bob Ash, public services agency director, said. “With assistance from the citizens advisory group, four tiers of properties were recommended for purchase and the county has been able to buy five of the six top sites recommended.”
Ninety-five acres of Hyde Farm land on Lower Roswell Road in east Cobb was purchased through a combined effort with the National Parks Service and The Trust for Public Land (TPL). TPL purchased 40 acres in 1992. Cobb plans to team with the National Parks Service Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area to maintain the area and eventually develop a passive recreation and education center where visitors can see how a farm operated in the early 1900s.
The county also acquired the Bullard Farm-Stockton site, 112 acres off Dallas Highway in west Cobb. The land includes an antebellum house that served as a Confederate hospital. Initial plans include using the park for passive recreation and trails.
More than 137 acres on Brownsville Road in southwest Cobb was bought, adjacent to the 88-acre Stout Park. The combined 225 acres makes this area larger than Piedmont Park.
The other two top tier purchases were 16 acres off Veteran’s Memorial Highway near Henderson Road and the Chattahoochee River and 26.5 acres of the Mabry Centennial Farm at the corner of Wesley Chapel Road and Sandy Plains Road.
Additionally, Cobb purchased almost 18 acres on Stilesboro Road, immediately adjacent to Leone Hall Price Park.
And all this was accomplished without increasing taxes.
“We have been able to preserve some premium land around Cobb,” Chairman Sam Olens said. “The parks bond helps us ensure future generations will be able to enjoy the natural beauty of our area. Each site has its own unique character and each will serve our residents for years to come.”
Cobb County’s master plan calls for 10.5 acres of park space per 1,000 residents and the parks bond has helped move toward this goal.
With a little more than $2 million left from the bond, the county is still looking to purchase more land, possibly including smaller tracts that could be used as pocket parks.
Parks Bonds Properties
Henderson Property – Taken with other surrounding County holdings, there is a potential trailhead opportunity and connectivity with the proposed Nickajack Creek Greenway Walking Trail. The 16 acres of woodlands features historic Civil War earthworks and will complement the scope of the Greenway Trail plan.
View Property Map Price Property – This 17.8 acre property adds to the County’s 100 plus acre Leone Hall Price property, much of which has been master planned for passive park use. The additional parcel has a mix of hardwood and pine trees, along with open field areas on high ground.
View Property Map Bullard–Stockton Properties – These two properties total approximately 112 acres. They offer gently rolling hills and open fields reminiscent of Piedmont Park’s open meadow area, and provide unobstructed views of Kennesaw Mountain. Especially when combined with the contiguous existing Oregon Park, the size of this property would offer significant quality of life improvements for the public.
View Property Map Hyde Farm Property – Located on a ridge overlooking the Chattahoochee River, the property is in a key watershed protection area, and contains branches of Mulberry Creek. The nearly pristine natural setting combines with an historic working farmstead, dating back to the Civil War. Opportunities include passive recreation such as hiking, bird and wildlife observation as well as educational programming and field trips.
View Property Map Mabry Property – This 26.5 acre parcel is one of the few large tracts remaining in east Cobb County. Much of the land is open pasture, with some wooded area surrounding a pond. The property has the feel of being in the country, even while in the middle of densely populated east Cobb.
View Property Map Stana Property – The 137 acre property is home to abundant wildlife, and is a mix of open land and forest drained by medium sized creeks. When combined with the contiguous existing Stout property, the resulting 200+ acres will support multiple trail systems built for separate types of users. A combined park of this size is unusual in size and character for a largely urban region.
View Property Map Countywide Map Featuring All Properties
View Map