Repairing the stormwater system at a popular Henry County park that closed in July because of hazardous conditions will cost almost $600,000, Henry County officials estimate.
Cochran Park in Stockbridge, which is owned and operated by Henry County, had developed sinkholes and watery conditions that forced its closure this summer due to the “poor condition” of its stomwater system, the county said.
That closure set off protests by some Stockbridge residents and city leaders, who said the move was leaving their community without a local sports field.
The county ordered an engineering study that found the stormwater system was too small for the size of the park and that inlets were clogged with trash and debris because they were not maintained.
The cost of repair, excluding any work that needed to be done on the fields or parking lots as a result of the water damage, was estimated at $593,000.
County Commissioner Bruce Holmes, in whose district the park is located, said the problems were worse than he imagined.
“This report confirms that there was and still is a significant public safety risk for our children and Henry County citizens visiting Cochran Park,” he said.
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