SPLOST VIII funds $3.3 million facelift at Midway Park

Featured Stories, News

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Forsyth County officials continue to improve a park system that is already one of the finest in the state.

On Thursday, Sept. 8, the County officially unveiled various updates to Midway Park (5100 Post Road) including a new playground, pavilion and enhanced athletic facilities at a ribbon cutting ceremony.

“Midway Park was originally constructed in 1982 and is the 2nd oldest park in Forsyth County,” said Parks & Recreation Director Jim Pryor. “Through the years, it has received capital updates to portions of the property, but I am excited that this upgrade brings the upper baseball complex to current standards as well as a new playground and pavilion that will keep families coming for generations to come.”
Improvements and additions to the park include:

– New inclusive and accessible playground
– Laser grading and new sod on diamond fields
– New batting cages and bullpens
– New Pavilion with seating for 36
– New flooring and interior/exterior paint for Community Building
– Repaved and leveled park entrance and upper parking area
– Sealed and restriped lower parking area

The budget for the refurbishment was $3.13M and funding was provided by SPLOST VIII. The project consultant was Woolpert Design, and the contractor was Diversified Construction.

Amenities at Midway Park and all Parks & Recreation facilities can be found by visiting parks.forsythco.com

County officials set to unveil $3.1 million facelift at Midway Park

Featured Stories

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Midway Park is the second oldest park in Forsyth County, which boasts some of the finest and most modern parks in the state.

Built in 1982, the park has undergone quite a few upgrades over the years but nothing quiet as grand at what will be demonstrated at a formal ribbon cutting ceremony on Thursday, Sept 8 at 11 a.m.

“I am excited to unveil this upgrade which brings the upper baseball complex to current standards,” said Forsyth County Parks and Recreation Director Jim Pryor. “I also believe the new playground and pavilion near the Community Building will be a big hit.”

Improvements and additions to the park include:
– New inclusive and accessible playground
– Laser grading and new sod on diamond fields
– New batting cages and bullpens
– New Pavilion with seating for 36
– New flooring and interior/exterior paint for Community Building
– Repaved and leveled park entrance and upper parking area
– Sealed and restriped lower parking area

The budget for the refurbishment was $3.13 million and funding was provided by SPLOST VIII. The project consultant was Woolpert Design and the contractor was Diversified Construction.
Amenities at Midway Park and all Parks & Recreation facilities can be found by visiting parks.forsythco.com.

Parks and Recreation Department has a variety of summer camps available

News

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — School’s out for summer, and the Cumming Recreation & Parks Department has plenty of summer camp options for kids of all ages, interests, and abilities.

Summer programs offer camps for lovers of sports, art, dance, horseback riding, gymnastics, cheerleading, and more. The Cumming Recreation Department also offers Camp Cool Kids & Teens, specifically for kids with special needs.

Camp registration opened in April, but there are still plenty of opportunities available for fun this summer. To see all of this summer’s offerings, view the 2022 Summer Brochure. For more information about the Cumming Recreation & Parks Department, click here.

Lanierland Park to close for major expansion project

News

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. – Lanierland Park (6115 Jot-Em-Down Rd.) will be temporarily closed on Jan. 10 to allow for earth moving work to be completed for a $16.5 million expansion project at the park. The park will be closed for one month, weather permitting.

“We appreciate the community’s understanding and patience as we make improvements to the park this year,” said Parks & Recreation Director Jim Pryor. “When it opens later this year, Lanierland will be one of the County’s premier parks. It will have something for everyone to enjoy.”

The construction is a part of phase two of the park’s master plan which includes the following additions to Lanierland Park:

  • Eight tennis courts
  • Four pickleball courts
  • Four baseball/softball fields
  • Miracle League baseball/softball field
  • All-inclusive playground
  • Hard and soft surface trails
  • Football/lacrosse fieldhouse
  • Additional parking

The consultant for the project is Lose Design, and the general contractor is Astra Group Inc. The project is being funded by SPLOST VIII and impact fees. The project is expected to be completed by late Fall 2022. Details of phase two of the park’s master plan can be found here, and 3D images of how the park will look once completed can be found here.

Updates on the project and more Parks & Recreation news can be found by following @forsythcountyparksandrecreation on Facebook.

County still looking for ideas for the new Matt Community Park

News

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Forsyth County Parks & Recreation Department held its second and final community input meeting Wednesday to gain resident feedback on proposed plans for a future recreation center at Matt Community Park (6555 Wallace Tatum Road).

But it is not too late to express your thoughts via the department’s onine survey at https://forsyth.fetchyournews.com/2021/09/09/haley-brown-named-to-state-regional-animal-control-boards/

Parks and Recreation Director Jim Pryor said more than 800 residents have already completed the survey.

“We are excited to welcome the community’s input on what the recreation center at Matt will provide for the community in northwest Forsyth,”

Forsyth County Parks & Recreation currently has three recreation centers located at Central, Fowler and Old Atlanta Parks. Each center offers basketball gymnasiums, indoor walking track, fitness equipment, fitness classes, instructional classes and community rooms.

The master plan design is being funded by SPLOST VIII and Impact Fees. Other amenities at Matt Community Park include four synthetic-turf rectangular fields, a playground, three pavilions, restrooms, a multi-use trail and six lighted tennis courts. Matt Community Park opened in Aug. 2016.

Heather Kolich, Forsyth County’s Extension Service Coordinator was the first to arrive at Wednesday’s meeting and she offered some excellent suggestions.

“I would like to take a slightly different approach, looking more at the overall community and people getting together, having some multi-purpose spaces with indoor facilities for gaming rooms and playing cards.” She also said she would like to see a facility for teaching gardening and cooking.

For outdoor components, she also suggested a covered space for a farmer’s market  or dog shows or even livestock show.

Those are the kind of ideas that Pryor and the Parks and Rec. Department are looking for.

 

 

 

 

 

Matt Community Park public input meeting scheduled Sept. 8

Press Release

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. –Forsyth County Parks & Recreation will host a second community input meeting for resident feedback on proposed plans for a future recreation center at Matt Community Park on Sept. 8 from 5-7 p.m. at Coal Mountain Park Community Building, 3560 Settingdown Rd.

An online survey is also available for residents to highlight program components of interest to them that they would like to see included in the center.

Forsyth County Parks & Recreation currently has three recreation centers located at Central, Fowler and Old Atlanta Parks. Each center offers basketball gymnasiums, indoor walking track, fitness equipment, fitness classes, instructional classes and community rooms.

“We are excited to welcome the community’s input on what the recreation center at Matt will provide for the community in northwest Forsyth,” said Parks & Recreation Director Jim Pryor.

The Matt Community Park Recreation Center master plan design is being funded by SPLOST VIII and Impact Fees. Other amenities at Matt Community Park include four synthetic-turf rectangular fields, a playground, three pavilions, restrooms, a multi-use trail and six lighted tennis courts. Matt Community Park opened in Aug. 2016.

 

Parks & Rec offers new esports programs

Press Release

PRESS RELEASE

FORSYTH COUNTY Ga. — Registration is now open for video game leagues. Residents eight years and older can now enjoy and compete in Forsyth County Parks and Recreation’s esports leagues.

“We are very excited to offer this new avenue of recreation for our residents,” said Parks and Recreation Director Jim Pryor. “This is another step toward expanding our programs to have something for everyone.”

Esports is defined as a form of competition using video games and has shown to enhance participants’ teamwork, strategic thinking, communication, leadership and confidence.

Registration is currently open for two leagues:

• Fortnight 1v1 (free to enter)

• Rocket League 1v1 ($30 per person) Both leagues will run for six weeks beginning mid-August, and more leagues will be available in the fall. All leagues are currently online only. GG Leagues, a digital hosting service for gaming leagues, will facilitate all County leagues, and all interested individuals will need to create a registered account with GG Leagues to participate.

Parks and Recreation community yard sale Apr. 17

Press Release

More than twenty vendors will be selling household items

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Forsyth County Parks & Recreation invites residents to a community yard sale from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 17. The outdoor event will take place in the parking area of the Central Park Recreation Center (2300 Keith Bridge Rd.).

“The community yard sale is a great opportunity for residents to do some spring cleaning around their house and do some shopping as well,” Director of Parks & Recreation Jim Pryor said. “We are excited to see all people will have to offer.”

Event organizers expect more than 20 vendors selling a variety of household goods, children’s items, tools and more. Admission for shoppers is free.

To receive more information about the Forsyth County Parks & Recreation community yard sale, visit parks.forsythco.com or call (678) 455-8540.

Forsyth County Parks & Recreation Summer Activity Guide is now available

Press Release

PRESS RELEASE

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. – Forsyth County Parks & Recreation’s 2021 Summer Activity Guide is now available online.

The guide includes information on a wide variety of camps, activities and programs offered. Registration for listings in the summer activity guide will begin at 8:30 a.m. on April 1.

Register online at parks.forysthco.com or in person at any of the county’s three recreation centers, located at Central Park, Fowler Park and Old Atlanta Park, Monday through Friday, as well as the Sawnee Mountain Preserve Visitor Center.

To view the 2021 Summer Activity Guide, visit parks.forsythco.com. Printed copies of the activity guide will also be available at recreation centers.

Parks and Recreation Dept. continues to add to Therapeutic Recreation programs

News

PRESS RELEASE

Forsyth County, Ga. – Forsyth County Parks & Recreation’s therapeutic recreation added ten new programs, saw a year-over-year membership growth of 32% and offered several new out-of-school programs in 2020, despite the COVID-19 pandemic.

Therapeutic recreation, which launched in March 2018, offers programs for individuals with specific needs in order to develop leisure and recreation skills, enhance socialization, independence and overall quality of life.

“We are very excited about the future of the therapeutic rec programs,” said Parks & Recreation Director Jim Pryor. “We have seen great interest from the Forsyth County community in the offerings created over the past three years and we are working on creating more opportunities for 2021 and beyond.”

To help identify future offerings and opportunities to better serve patrons, Parks & Recreation is asking for participants, or those interested in therapeutic recreation programs, to complete a brief survey found by clicking here.

More information on therapeutic recreation programs, including participant information, can be found by clicking here, or by calling (770) 205-4635. The current programs offered through therapeutic recreation include adaptive sports and fitness programs, special events and camps.

All current Forsyth County Parks & Recreation offerings, including Therapeutic Recreation, can be found by clicking here. Volunteer opportunities are also available for various programs offered.

 

 

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Parks & Rec receives Agency of the Year Award

News, Press Release

 

PRESS RELEASE

Forsyth County, Ga. – Forsyth County Parks & Recreation received the Georgia Recreation and Park Association (GRPA) Agency of the Year Award during the GRPA awards banquet on Wednesday, Oct. 7. The award is presented annually to five population groups within the state, with Forsyth County falling into the largest population category – 150,000 residents and over.

“The annual state award recognizes exemplary agencies for their work over the last year,” said Parks & Recreation Director Jim Pryor. “I am so proud of the exceptional efforts made by our staff to make this award possible and sincerely appreciate the continuous support our system receives from the Board of Commissioners, the Parks & Recreation Board and residents.”

Forsyth County’s Agency of the Year Award nomination entry included information about staff development, budgeting and resources, facilities offered and use of technology. Nominees for the award are judged on major accomplishments made within the last year as well as new and outstanding programs offered.

One of the major accomplishments included in the nomination was the Department’s 14 current capital projects, including renovating older parks, developing new parks and adding new amenities to current parks. Other highlights presented in the nomination for outstanding programs included the growth of Therapeutic Recreation programs, the restoration of the Poole’s Mill covered bridge and the launch of a Parks & Recreation Facebook page.

The Forsyth County Senior Services Department received the GRPA Programming Network Award. They were recognized for their efforts in developing new, online programs and a monthly newsletter that were created in response to COVID-19. With 600 online participants per month, the Senior Services Department plans to continue these programs.

Parks & Recreation Athletic Manager Wayne Maddox received the GRPA Roy A. Hammond Leadership Award. Maddox was recognized for his contributions of inspiration, leadership and mentorship to others.

All were recognized by the Board of Commissioners on Nov. 5 during their regularly scheduled board meeting.

 

Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. FYN attracts 300,000+ page views per month, 3.5 million impressions per month and approximately 15,000 viewers per week on FYNTV.com and up to 60,000 Facebook page reach. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com

 

New playground opens at Poole’s Mill

News, Press Release

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — A new playground has been installed and is now open at Poole’s Mill Park (7725 Poole’s Mill Road).

The playground replaces the previous one located near the parking area and is designed for ages 5-12. The playground includes slides, swings (one handicapped accessible), an IKO ball climber, synthetic turf surfacing and more. Shade sails will be installed at a later date.

The cost of the playground replacement project is $210,000 and was funded by the Forsyth County Parks and Recreation 2020 Capital Replacement Plan Budget. The work was designed and completed by Great Southern Recreation out of Chattanooga.

“The park has much to offer families with beautiful natural resources and an historic covered bridge,” said Parks & Recreation Director Jim Pryor. “Now, with this updated playground, there is another element that we hope families can enjoy for many years to come.”

Poole’s Mill Park, located in northwest Forsyth County, also features a covered bridge, creek, picnic pavilions and the Cumming Garden Club’s Memorial Garden.

 

Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. FYN attracts 300,000+ page views per month, 3.5 million impressions per month and approximately 15,000 viewers per week on FYNTV.com and up to 60,000 Facebook page reach. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com

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