Master plan approved for Cobb’s Ebenezer Downs Park

However, the other “in very good condition” is the Downs House that will be used as a special event venue, Gisi said.

Other amenities to be added include a pavilion over the water at the existing lake, a large playground with a fence, picnic tables, an American Disabilities Act trail, fishing docks, a restroom facility and at least 30 parking spaces, he added.

Commissioner JoAnn Birrell said of the park in her district that will be named Ebenezer Downs, “People are fishing there almost all of the time.”

This agenda item relates to one of the properties purchased under the 2008 Parks Bond Program.

In October 2018, the Cobb commissioners approved funding to support the master planning process for this and five other properties.

Although there is no funding identified to develop this park, Gisi said PARKS requested to complete the master planning process to be ready when such potential future funding becomes available.

Completion of this master plan also will allow PARKS staff to periodically complete some of the smaller items in-house as time permits, Gisi added.

The process has included receiving public comment during well-attended public input meetings, including about 200 people at Noonday Baptist Church, he said.

Staff worked with consultants to create this proposed master plan based on the comments presented and recorded at each of the meetings.

This master plan was approved by the Recreation Board on Nov. 12, following the receipt of additional public input.

Each master plan captures the overwhelming public request for features characteristic of passive parks, taking advantage of the physical and natural attributes of each property, Gisi said.