The Parks Department is working to ensure all City Parks offer safe, pleasant, and worthwhile experiences for our visitors.   As we develop these plans, we meet with neighborhoods, other City departments, including police and utilities, and hold public workshops in order to determine a balanced plan for each park's unique needs. 

City parks that we are currently in the process of planning and improving include:

Greenbrier Park - Meeting was held Tuesday, October 6th, 7:30pm Greenbrier Elementary School-  The park be affected by the Meadowcreek Stream Restoration project and the Meadowcreek Sewer Interceptor Replacement project.  As plans for these projects progress, we will post information on the effect to Greenbrier Park and plans to restore and improve the trails.   We are planning to keep the bridge between Jamestown and Greenbrier open during the school year and as much as possible otherwise.

Azalea Park - NEXT MEETING Thursday, Dec 17, 6-8pm,  Cherry Avenue Christian Church

Master Planning kick-off meeting was held Tuesday, October 27th, 5:30pm.

Azalea Park Mtg#1 -October 27 - Powerpoint Presentation - Notes

Frys Spring Neighborhood Association - Azalea Park Survey Results (Microsoft Excel file)

McIntire Park (western side).  City Council has approved the plan to provide a ground lease to the YMCA and to make other park improvements.   These will go to design in the near future, with possible construction beginning in 2010.   Western McIntire Park Planning page

A commuter trail is being designed from Meadowbrook Heights Road (near the whale tail) through McIntire Park to the railroad tracks.   The trail was planned to be built with crushed up bricks removed from the downtown mall, but it has been determined that this will not be a suitable material, so the trail will be paved and have boardwalks in sensitive areas.

The City has also been awarded a SAFETEA-LU grant from V.D.O.T. to create engineering plans to build a pedestrian and bicycle bridge over the railroad tracks to connect the two sides of McIntire Park.

Meade Park - The front half of the park has been built. Work on the planned trails, lighting, stream naturalization, and other improvements in the back half of the park are being scheduled for fall/winter 2009.

Forest Hills Park - Plans for this park call for replacing the old wading pool with a new sprayground, building more trails, removing of the old community building, construction of new pavilions and restrooms, improved landscaping, upgraded playground equipment, and relocation of basketball courts.   This project is underway and the park is currently scheduled to re-open early in the new year.  NOTE: The trail from Johnson Village and Prospect through the park to Buford will be detoured along Orangedale and exit at the corner of the park on Forest Hills Avenue.  Forest Hills Park Planning Page

Greenleaf Park - The new sprayground is open, trail extensions are being planned and the basketball court is slated for renovation.  Modifications to the entryway to provide a separated pedestrian/bicycle path alongside the driveway are nearly complete.  Bollards to help control vehicles are on order for the park gate and plans to replace and install a new trail bridge are set for fall/winter 2009. 

Rives Park - The redesigned Rives Park will include an additional picnic shelter, restroom, trails, entrance from Nassau, biofilters/rain gardens and more landscaping.  Rives Park Planning Page

Starr Hill Park - The park plan includes a loop trail, benches, improved playgrounds, biofilters/rain gardens and more landscaping.   Parks staff is working on designs for a loop trail that may be installed by the end of 2009.  Landscaping was installed with help from the Junior League in early 2009.  Starr Hill Park Plan

Smith Pool at Buford School - To be reconstructed simultaneously with new Boys and Girls club onsite.   Smith Pool Plan

Riverview Park - New links on the loop trail within the park provide a 1/4 mile loop, and a 1/2 mile loop from the trailhead for those keeping track of fitness goals.  The new links are mulch surface and connect between the riverfront loop and the cul-de-sac loop.

For more information on these and other parks improvements, contact the Parks Department at 970-3656.