Decatur identifies three potential green space sites

During a recent Decatur city commission work session, Assistant City Manager Lyn Menne identified three potential greenspace sites in which she’s in various stages of discussion.

The city has had a longtime interest in purchasing the entire 5 acres owned by the Samuel L. Jones Boys & Girls Club, once part of Oakhurst Park until the city sold it in 1972. But Menne added that city and club also have considered some form of shared use rather than a sale. She’s also talked with AT&T about buying its property between New Street and Talley Street, which the city would like to turn into a lake/regional retention center and a park.

The biggest surprise is that she’s talked to the owners of McDonald’s on Commerce Drive, which the city would like to convert into green space and a gateway to downtown. Menne emphasized, however, this is a much longer-term goal, perhaps even part of a 40-year plan.