Rousing applause for Cobb on parks

A letter to the editor by Jimmy Gisi, published in the Marietta Daily Journal on Friday, July 25, 2008

With the Cobb County Board of Commissioners' unanimous vote to place a second bond issue for park land on the ballot this fall, I felt compelled to stand and give them a rousing round of applause for two reasons.

First of all is their commitment to leaving Cobb County a better place than they found it.

Park land, even if it is not developed for several years, ensures that future generations will have green space to enjoy their leisure time.

A movement has begun throughout the country to get our children from behind computer screens and off the couches and to get them outside again. These less-active children have caused an increase in childhood obesity at an alarming rate which in turn contributes to the rising cost of health care. With Cobb County's existing park land inventory and the land that could be purchased with another bond program, we would be well prepared to meet this demand for years to come.

The second reason for my applause is the fact that by their vote to place it on the ballot, they have afforded Cobb County residents the right to make the final decision. Many jurisdictions do not afford their residents this opportunity and that is a shame.

There are very few governments in our state that have shown this type of commitment to the acquisition of green space. Many of them will say that it is important, but they do nothing. Cobb County has a proven nomination/selection process that was used with the 2006 parks bond program and, if passed, I'm sure they will be just as successful with the 2008 parks bond program.

Jimmy Gisi, CPRP
Executive Director
Georgia Recreation and Park Association
Conyers