Parkland advisory panel formed

From the Marietta Daily Journal on Wednesday, November 15, 2006, by MDJ staff writer Amanda Casciaro

MARIETTA - Cobb commissioners Tuesday took the first step to implement a plan to buy more parkland in the county, creating an advisory committee that will examine how to spend $40 million.

Voters last week approved the general obligation bond package by a nearly 3-1 margin.

Each county commissioner will appoint three people to the committee, which will be named at the board's Nov. 28 meeting.

The 15-member voluntary committee will offer input to the board on potential land buys before Cobb buys land for future parks, Cobb Commission Chairman Sam Olens said.

Olens estimates Cobb will secure the bond money after Jan. 1.

Public input will be considered on potential tracts from January to February and the commission will begin land buys in March or April at the earliest, Olens said.

Cobb residents who want to participate can contact their commissioner or attend a question-and-answer session from 2 to 3 p.m. Sunday at the Georgia Dance Conservatory on the Marietta Square.

Cobb Parks Coalition, which led an effort to educate voters before the election, has organized the forum so residents can share their opinions and come forward to participate.

Paul Paulson, leader of the grassroots effort, has said he does not want to serve on the committee because of his demanding schedule.

The buying price of land in Cobb County is between $100,000 and $300,000 an acre, which totals about 133 to 400 acres eligible for purchase.

Although the 112-acre Bullard Farm property in west Cobb has been tied up in litigation between the county and Florida-based Goodman Co. since March, other tracts have been discussed as potential sites for "pocket parks."

"We referenced some other tracts such as Wylene Tritt's property, 54 acres right next to East Cobb Park, and the Hyde Farm property," Olens said in a recent interview. "I'd love to be able to buy a pocket park in Vinings and maybe a property in the Oakdale area that contains the (Civil Ware) Shoupades. I'd like to buy properties throughout the county, and it's important we do a thorough search so we're in a position to make the best decisions with that money."

The bond issue avoids a tax increase by using debt now occupied by a 1993 bond to build the Cobb County Jail.

In other business....

This article continues with other business conducted during the meeting by the Commissioners.

acasciaro@mdjonline.com