Cherokee County Recreation and Parks hosted its first countywide Recreation Summit since the 2008 parks bond discussion. The summit brought together municipalities and community organizations to discuss the future of recreation and parks across the county. 

“The goal of this summit is for everyone to come together, collaborate, educate, and have fun while discussing current and future park projects,” said Cherokee County Recreation and Parks Director Jay Worley.

Cherokee County Community Services Agency Director Bryan Reynolds provided updates on the county’s capital park projects. 

“Since the parks bond program ended in 2018, the county has started using funding from the Special Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) program and Impacts Fees to pay for parks projects,” said Reynolds.

The county’s current capital park projects include park design and development plans for the Long Swamp Recreation Area in Ball Ground and the phase one design and development plans for both the Yellow Creek Road Conservation Area and trails located on Yellow Creek Road and for the Southwest Cherokee Community Park in Acworth. Also included is a master plan development for the future Hickory Flat Area Park located on East Cherokee Drive in Canton. 

Additionally, attendees heard park project updates from representatives with the cities of Ball Ground, Canton, Holly Springs, and Woodstock. Those updates included numerous trail extension plans, improvements to playground equipment, and the future construction of pickleball courts.

An update was also given on the SPLOST 2024 program, which will include $36.5 million for recreation and parks projects. Funding from the SPLOST 2024 program, with support from recreation impact fees, will fund the future conversion of natural grass fields to artificial turf for several county parks, the construction of a new baseball/softball complex at Cherokee Veterans Park, construction of the E.W. & Edith Cochran Park in the Free Home community, the future construction of a recreation/senior center at the SW Cherokee Park, and several other minor park improvements around the county. 

Reynolds closed the summit by announcing that the county is working with cities to develop a countywide trails plan that will include establishing future goals, trails that connect to additional trails, and establishing Memorandums of Understanding between cities and the county.