Home > Gwinnett > Rick Badie / My Opinion > Archives > 2008 > August > 19 > Entry
Local parks system one of the best
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
It’s one of the nation’s best.
Don’t take my word for it, though. The National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) a Virginia-based organization that advocates the significance of parks and recreational space says so. NRPA gives an annual award to counties and municipalities that operate top-notch park systems.
Gwinnett, home to 37 parks and aquatics centers that cover more than 8,800 acres, is in the running for the organization’s prestigious Gold Medal Award. Gwinnett is up against Ft. Worth, Baton Rouge and Las Vegas. This marks Gwinnett’s third time being nominated for the honor; the winner will be announced in October, said Marianne O’Riley, NRPA’s awards coordinator.
It’s so easy to criticize government, to lambaste officials for spending - sometimes wasting - taxpayer money. But governments deserve equal praise when they get it right, act on behalf of - and for the good of - the community. Especially in a county like ours, with roughshod development and other contentious factors.
“The rising cost of fuel and the ability to purchase open land at a reasonable price are the two things that are really challenging agencies now,” O’Riley told me. But ” [Gold Medal nominees] always seem to pull the proverbial rabbit out of the hat.”
In an Aug. 10 Gwinnett News story, Sharon Plunkett, division director of operations for Gwinnett Parks and Recreation, says the county’s stellar parks start with residents. They voted for a recreation tax in 1986 to create a county-wide parks system. A decade later, voters approved a penny sales tax that made it possible to buy land, build parks and trails, athletics fields, community centers, as well as renovate existing green spaces.
It’s been money well spent. Drop by Tribble Mill Park in Grayson or George Pierce Park in Suwanee - two of the more popular locations. Or talk to residents like Jerry Sherill of Norcross. The bailiff for Gwinnett County walks his dog, “Ande,” at Mountain Park Park.
“I think the county parks are a definite asset,” Sherrill, 65, wrote in an e-mail. “They provide ample opportunities for recreation, for exercise, for competition, for group and family gatherings. And they do it in a controlled environment. They also offer a wide range of programs for seniors as well as educational classes.”
A while back, I asked readers whether Gwinnett had an identity, some type of signifier to hang its hat on. Several residents praised the parks network.
If you feel inclined to pooh-pooh the national reputation the county’s park system enjoys, say that our active and passive parks are nothing special, consider this. DeKalb County recently hosted a shindig to mark the opening of Browns Mill Aquatics Center - the county’s very first one.
In Gwinnett, we have five.
Rick Badie updates his blog daily. Readers who want to discuss the people, places, events and topics he writes about may post comments online or contact Badie directly. He can be reached at 770-263-3875 or via e-mail: rbadie@ajc.com.
Permalink | Comments (17) | Post your comment | Categories: Rick Badie
Comments
By Bruce Wilcox
August 19, 2008 1:55 PM | Link to this
A park is worthless if children cannot reach them safely, there are very few parks between I-85, Pleasant-Hill, JBC and Rt.29 for example.
The Singleton Road building, complete with parking lot, is a joke to be listed as a park.
To send children down streets and roads without sidewalks to cross Jimmy Carter to reach the only real park in the area is insane.
I believe there is suppose to be a new park off Beaver Ruin, it’s purchase is under investigation right now, I believe it is going to be a passive swampland park.
Not every area is a soccer mom area and I always believed a county should serve all it’s residents the equally, we all pay taxes. I hope the commissioners proudly stop by every neighbor in the area mentioned above to show ofrf the medal.
By Mad AJC guy
August 19, 2008 2:37 PM | Link to this
What has happened to the Gwinnett Section of the AJC print edition?
This was the ONLY reason I have remained a subscriber.
Well, that and the Fry’s Ads! :-)
By LT5000
August 19, 2008 2:56 PM | Link to this
Gwinnett has parks?
I thought they were just areas for our Illegal friends to leave beer bottles and baby diapers while blaring circus music.
LT5000
By Larry Townsend
August 19, 2008 3:18 PM | Link to this
I wish they would build another couple Starbucks and an IKEA in the middle of Piedmont Park. It’s a real pain getting to the one at Atlantic Station. Also it would be swell if they could pave a 500 car parking lot there as well for easier access to the stores in the vicinity.
By Cindy
August 19, 2008 8:47 PM | Link to this
LT5000, You should try the South Gwinnett parks and East Gwinnett parks. It’s nice here. Just got home from the park and it was awesome.
By Kathleen
August 19, 2008 8:55 PM | Link to this
I agree that we have some great parks in Gwinnett. I enjoy walking at Shorty Howell, McDaniels Farm, Pinkneyville and a few others.
The sports facilities at most parks are very good.
I agree with a previous poster that access to most parks by any means other than a car is a real shame. Sidewalks throughout the county are needed to make access to parks available to our youth so they don’t have to rely on Mom to drop them off every time they have an activity or want to go to the park.
I disagree that our parks are being trashed by illegals. Every time I am in the park I witness families enjoying the facilities and people from all groups walking and running. I for one have had predominantly good experiences at Gwinnett County parks.
By park user
August 19, 2008 9:12 PM | Link to this
I was just sitting at George Pierce the other day and told a lady to look around the park. It is the best tax money ever spent. If there were side walks to get to the park, there is no way I would send my child off to walk to the park. Who would let their children walk alone along most roads that lead to the park. Who just tells their child to go to practice alone. Most people need to use their heads. Maybe there are some under serviced areas in the county but it’s not just side walks to the park that we are lacking. Maybe it is parents involvement too.
By Kathleen
August 19, 2008 9:27 PM | Link to this
Who would just let their child walk to practice alone? I would, my son is 14 years old and over 6 foot tall. He is quite capable of riding a bike or walking to a park. I know I did when I was a kid. My parents were involved in my life and they let me go to ball practice by myself. Do I really have to be at EVERY practice? Is it really necessary for a mom to be at the park for 2 hours while her son practices football 3 nights a week?
There are skate parks, skate rinks, paths and ball fields at parks; teens and adults should be able to access them without having to ride in a car or walk on the shoulder of a busy road, same goes for getting to school. I walked to and from school when I was young.
By Bruce Wilcox
August 20, 2008 12:32 AM | Link to this
Park user can you explain your statement a little better, “Maybe there are some under serviced areas in the county but it’s not just side walks to the park that we are lacking. Maybe it is parents involvement too.”?
First there are very large sections, the boarders I mentioned, that have no parks, without the parks the sidewalks won’t do a lot of good will they?
Where parks are within walking or biking distance there are no sidewalks in many areas, now many are two income families and the family taxi service isn’t available at all times, so is working parents part of the lacking mentioned? Or did you mean that parent involvement means they should be building the sidewalks because they can not drive their children to the parks.
Or is it in the ‘under served’ area’s the parents just don’t rise to the level of the parents in the area’s of the county that deserve parks?
Park user I have no idea how old you are but most children will always have a bubby or two to walk with, maybe that wasn’t so in your case.
By MSB
August 20, 2008 5:56 AM | Link to this
Overall I am very pleased with Gwinnett County Parks. Right now, I’m not very happy with Briscoe Park in Snellville, but from what I hear, it will be upgraded soon. There is definitely an erosion issue that should be addressed.
By Katie
August 20, 2008 7:43 AM | Link to this
If I have to drive to a park it kind of defeits the purpose. I agree with LT. There are no parks in Norcross for kids to safely walk or bike to. Many are not interested in going to soccer field parks or other athletic parks. How about just some small parks for everyone to enjoy??
By Mary's Mom
August 20, 2008 9:55 AM | Link to this
Having lived in Alabama before, where parks are a rare thing indeed, I really like them here and enjoy them.
However I really proper security is enforced to keep the gay guys from having impromptu “hook-ups” in the parks like frequently happens at the rest stops!!
By Bruce Wilcox
August 20, 2008 12:02 PM | Link to this
For the under served area’s I’ve been pushing the idea of pocket parks for a while now. It’s not a very hard concept or very costly to do, a lot cheaper than a stadium. With real estate at such low prices now is the time to move on some properties.
The properties shouldn’t be hard to find in these economic times, I’m sure there are more than enough absentee landlords behind in taxes being sold to the highest bidder on the court house steps each month.
It would serve severaL purposes, it would rid many area’s of the worst eyesores, at least give the neighborhood children a safe place to play off the streets and give the community a little pride.
This program has worked well all across the nation, can’t see why it wouldn’t work here, except for lack of interest by the commissioners.
By park user
August 21, 2008 8:36 AM | Link to this
Mr. Wilcox, I am a 40 year old woman that has lived in Gwinnett county all of my life. I grew up on Killian Hill Road and graduated from Berkmar High School. In this day and time, it is not safe to send your kids walking to the park (side walk or not) alone or with a buddy. The busy roads you mentioned are not a place for children to be walking. The lack of parent involvement refers to parents that will just send their children off to those busy roads without supervision. I grew up in a single parent working family. I know what it is like to wait for your parent to get home to go play with you at the park. I just don’t agree with sending your child to the park alone to play or practice sports. Children get hurt doing both and some responsible adult should be there with them!
By Mom of boys
August 21, 2008 9:29 AM | Link to this
Yeah, the parks are great….too bad my child can’t use any of the playgrounds except the one in Grayson because the playgrounds aren’t handicapped-accessible. Not all Gwinnett children are able-bodied. Currently, the only offerings for kids with special needs is out in Grayson, where the PARENTS funded the special needs field and the PARENTS run the programs. In a county the size of Gwinnett, you’d think the parks department would get a clue that kids with disabilities would like to enjoy the parks. Rockdale county does it, why not Gwinnett?
By Parkswalker
August 21, 2008 11:22 AM | Link to this
Mom of boys might want to check out the playgrounds at Duncan Creek Park or Peachtree Ridge Park. Peachtree Ridge is also home of the second fully accessible field in the County
By Jerry
August 22, 2008 11:35 PM | Link to this
Those who use the Graves Road Park for cookouts, picnics, and just eating in general should take more pride in cleaning up after themselves. Food scraps of every description, including bones, are scattered everywhere. When I want to walk my dog at the park, it is a constant battle to try and prevent her from ingesting these scraps and bones, which can be harmful to her. There are ample containers throughout the park for the disposal of waste, but they are all too often ignored.