Action is needed to save park land

From the Marietta Daily Journal, Sunday, June 11, 2006 by Laura Armstrong

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We live in such a wealthy county - not just in the economic sense, but also in the generosity, industriousness and creativity of our truly engaged citizens. From leadership in business, government, public safety and the arts, to civic organizations, nonprofits and our beyond-the-call volunteers, Cobb's people-driven wealth and resources make it a rich place. It's where visionaries live.

The Marietta Square is a perfect example. The Glover family, as well as people like John Williams and those who continue to make it vital with concerts and festivals, have my true gratitude. Our jewel of a town gathering place exists because they stepped forward when none of them really had to.

When I walk the trails of the Chattahoochee River National Recreation area or the Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park (if I can get a parking place), I'm thankful going all the way back to my favorite president, Teddy Roosevelt, that preservation-minded folks saw the importance of setting aside such landmarks for our enjoyment. Ditto those who made the Silver Comet Trail happen. Without their foresight, our way of life would be far less desirable. Now there's an admirable grass roots effort taking place we should all know about.

Some forward-thinking neighbors have formed the Cobb Parks Coalition, putting a plan into action that would enable the county to purchase undeveloped land for parks before it's gobbled up by developers, presumably without raising property taxes. These conservation-minded visionaries are looking for our involvement. In just a few weeks, they've signed up over 200 park supporters to their Web site (located at www.cobbparks.blogspot.com).

Commissioners Sam Olens, Annette Kesting and Helen Goreham have plugged the effort so far, as have notables like retired Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Superintendent John Cissell. The Trust for Public Land, the only nonprofit national conservation organization and an advisor to the Atlanta BeltLine and Chattahoochee River Greenway projects, is lending advice. But it's up to us to help if we want more parks. Spreading the word, circulating petitions, getting commissioners on board and putting the issue before voters in November are immediate goals we can assist with, according to organizer Paul Paulson. Identifying appropriate parcels of land and deciding how best to use them (whether as passive space or active recreation areas) are also on the CPC agenda.

I don't know any citizen who knows about it who's not rooting for this effort. With greenspace giving way to blanket development, setting aside land for parks should be a priority in the next couple of years, after which, according to Paulson, it will likely be too late. "Doing the right thing now, for the generations to come, is really what this is about," he says.

Get involved in this one, if you can. Call or write your commissioner and tell them you support parks. Sign up for information. One day your children will thank you.