As part of its 2013 Parks and Recreation Capital Improvements Plan, Gwinnett recognized the need for a large open-space park in the western part of the county. Using SPLOST funds, Gwinnett acquired the 227-acre Simpsonwood property last year.
Ludie Simpson had deeded the track of land, which fronts the Chattahoochee River, as a gift to the United Methodist Church in the early 1970s. The church built a conference and retreat center on a portion of the property. In recent years, the church was forced to sell the property when the conference center began to lose money.
Residents may apply to serve on a Citizen Steering Committee, which will work to help formulate a master plan for the park. The first public meeting to discuss the master planning of Simpsonwood Park will be at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 12, in the Norcross High School theater, 5300 Spalding Drive. Information: 770-822-8855.
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