A playground, community garden and miles of hiking and equestrian trails—all this and more is coming to southwest Cobb after commissioners approved a master plan for the 305-acre Violet F. Stout Park this week.

The park, now one of the county's largest, began with an 81-acre gift from Cobb resident Robert Stout in the nineties and is named for his late wife. Since then, the county has expanded the park with additional purchases funded by a series of park bonds.

Stout Park is currently open to the public but is mostly undeveloped open space with some trails on the original plot.

The first phase of development for the expanded park will be funded by park bond revenue and interest from a $2 million trust left by Stout for the park’s maintenance.

“We’re really pleased with the way this has kind of grown from Mr. Stout’s original 81 acres to a sort of mega park,” said parks director Eddie Canon. “Mr. Stout was a very fine gentleman.”

About the Author

Keep Reading

With the closure of the labor and delivery unit in St. Mary’s Sacred Heart Hospital in Lavonia, expectant mothers will instead be directed to deliver at St. Mary’s Hospital in Athens, about 45 miles away.  (Photo Illustration / Getty Images)

Credit: Getty Images

Featured

Julian Conley listens during opening statements in his trial at Fulton County Superior Court in Atlanta on Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025. The 25-year-old is accused of fatally shooting 8-year-old Secoriea Turner in July 2020. (Abbey Cutrer/AJC)

Credit: abbey.cutrer@ajc.com