Alpharetta, Milton sign historic park pact

A future “passive” park on Mayfield Road, to be jointly owned and managed by Alpharetta and Milton, would be a short distance east of Milton High School, Northwestern Middle School and Crabapple Crossing Elementary School. GOOGLE MAPS

A future “passive” park on Mayfield Road, to be jointly owned and managed by Alpharetta and Milton, would be a short distance east of Milton High School, Northwestern Middle School and Crabapple Crossing Elementary School. GOOGLE MAPS

The city councils of Alpharetta and Milton, meeting separately, both voted to approve a partnership in which they’ll buy 12.5 acres on Mayfield Road for a future park that they’ll jointly own and manage.

The memorandum of understanding has the cities splitting 50-50 the cost to acquire three parcels at 1470, 1480 and 1490 Mayfield Road for a “passive” park that may have trails, pavilions, children’s play areas and other recreational amenities.

The site is within Alpharetta city limits. The cost of the land was not disclosed, as the purchase contracts are still with the sellers for review.

Alpharetta Mayor David Belle Isle called the agreement “fantastic,” saying, “To my knowledge, this is the first time in metro Atlanta two municipalities have come together to purchase land jointly … to run a park together.”

Under the memorandum, the two cities would reach a future intergovernmental agreement addressing matters of decision-making, maintenance, capital improvements, and park and recreation programming “for the joint and equal usage by citizens of Alpharetta and Milton.”