Editorial: More Parks A good week for greenspace in Cobb

An editorial from the Marietta Daily Journal on Sunday, December 14, 2008

Years spent haggling over the future of one of the last sizeable undeveloped tracts in downtown Kennesaw finally came to a sensible resolution last week that splits the difference, so to speak, between the competing claims of development and preservation.

At issue was a 9.96-acre tract owned by W.E. Hamby off Watts Drive within an easy stroll of downtown Kennesaw and the Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History. The wooded property includes a stream and, like all the surrounding area, was part of Camp McDonald, a Confederate army "basic training" facility during the Civil War. But no permanent structures remain from those days and there is nothing visible above ground that links the property with the camp. Some felt the Hamby tract should be preserved in its entirety.

Meanwhile, Kennesaw leaders were eying the property for development, as a portion of it fronts Main Street, and were loath to see such a prime candidate fall off the tax rolls.

The upshot came Tuesday when it was announced that a deal had been struck to buy and divide the property. The county will purchase 7.57 acres for $834,000 with money from the $40 million 2006 parks bond and develop it as a park.

The city, meanwhile, will acquire the front 2.39 acres along Main Street for $466,000.

The Cobb Board of Commissioners on Tuesday unanimously agreed to deal on Tuesday.

"This is an example of working together with the leaders in Kennesaw," said Cobb Commissioner Helen Goreham, who represents northwest Cobb. "We've found a balance between preservation of green space and allowing development to take place in the heart of downtown Kennesaw."

Added Mayor Mark Mathews, "This is something that the county and city have been able to put together," he said. "It's a win-win situation for everyone."

Historic markers will be erected on the site to tell the story of Camp McDonald, noted Cobb Commission Chairman Sam Olens, another big proponent of the deal.

The arrangement comes hard on the heels of the news that the county has purchased a pair of tracts adjoining the pristine Hyde Farm property in lower east Cobb, which is in the process of being developed into a park.

All in all, it was a good week for greenspace in Cobb.