A 10-year master plan for Cobb County parks has been approved.
The Cobb County Board of Commissioners agreed Aug. 28 to this plan to provide “a road map” for the next decade, according to Cobb PARKS Director Jimmy Gisi.
“No new maintenance or operational costs are associated with the approval of this master plan,” Gisi said in an Aug. 28 memo to County Manager Rob Hosack.
The plan “provides multiple routes/options that Cobb County could take to maintain or enhance its park system,” Gisi said.
“As components of this plan are considered during the life span of the document, budgetary impacts and capital needs will be presented to the Board of Commissioners,” Gisi added.
Commissioner Bob Ott said, “I’m uncomfortable with the funding” of what would be around $300 million to follow the plan.
“We’re getting all of this land for green space instead of parks. We haven’t figured out to handle what we have,” Ott said.
“I can’t support it at this time. I would like to see concrete ways to support what we have now,” Ott added.
Other than the Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) program, more revenues are suggested in the plan’s executive summary by Lose and Associates, Inc. to:
• Increase general fund revenues to the P.A.R.K.S. Department.
• Assess and increase park user fees.
• Seek grants and leverage existing funds as potential matches.
• Build on existing partnerships.
• Explore parkland dedication opportunities.
A copy of the full master plan for the PARKS Department is on file in the County Clerk’s Office, Gisi added.
Information: CobbCounty.org
About the Author
