East Cobb Park is a Sterling Example
Tuesday, July 1, 2003 1:15 PM EDT
Marietta, Georgia

The long-awaited ribbon cutting for East Cobb Park finally took place on Saturday, a testament to what hard work and a do-it-yourself ethos can make happen. The 20.3-acre park is the fruit not so much of the county government, but of rank-and-file residents of the eastern part of Cobb who felt their area was underserved, recreationally speaking, and thus resolved to raise the funds needed to create a park from scratch. The Friends of East Cobb Park, as they are now known, raised more than $1 million toward their goal from corporate and private sources. Seeing the effort was picking up steam, the county commission kicked in an additional $1 million.

The Friends group bought 13.3 undeveloped acres, a rarity in east Cobb, especially on a tract that size, on busy Roswell Road near Old Canton Road. The group then deeded the land to the county, which meanwhile had bought seven adjoining acres with funds from the state’s greenspace program. The county additionally has bought 22 acres across the street from the park with greenspace money.

The first phase of the park now features a playground, outdoor classrooms, nature trails, restrooms and a small stage. Planned are an art center and possibly an amphitheater. “This will be the best-loved park in all of Cobb County,” Commissioner Joe Lee Thompson told the crowd for the ribbon cutting. “You did it. It’s been a labor of love for the whole county.” Added U.S. Rep. Johnny Isakson (R-east Cobb): “The great thing about dreams that come true is that they inspire other dreams.”

Though the ribbon cutting has taken place, the actual opening of the park is not expected for several more weeks, as this spring’s rains slowed construction. “The community has rallied around this, and it truly is a dream come true,” said Cobb Commission Chairman Sam Olens. It is, and it’s a sterling example of what can be achieved when people of a community pull together, rather than indulging in finger-pointing and complaining.  

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