[{"_1":2,"_98":-5,"_99":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},"mediaId",6140503,"mediaKeyId","5578564-b8817020966a0e90602d8ade200e2624","parentId",5578564,"title","City outlines multi‑phase Wills Park renovation: bigger Wacky World, new restroom, tree removals and community build","audioSeconds",1642,"startMs",2024000,"endMs",3666000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5578564-b8817020966a0e90602d8ade200e2624&start=2024&end=3666","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5578564-b8817020966a0e90602d8ade200e2624/thumbnail_2024000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6140503/Alpharetta/Fulton-County/Georgia/City-outlines-multiphase-Wills-Park-renovation-bigger-Wacky-World-new-restroom-tree-removals-and-community-build","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6140503-3c652c2f3cc1dcba69e058108d3449ec/orig.mp4?Expires=1771164089&Signature=LtxMHfvOLcooY9t~B~24hKinoPUf5FTG5f3t1oXmK45XUyTdTdZIoX32IjirciAnVgRl5qIR8VLs0BKD86wBwMiqIVqQdcgNhox3DTAq9tR-VDohl~i2VjsRBjmZXynPiqmsxoh-E0Q7qtAeJw6cgtCe1zFvdjilHo44oq7nfDSqu4p-K6GyU3znwKxbjw46YSx1Xh9derSYTKQYGNRRm0c8IM7U5FYHBH7LSoSHn42~clsaPDiMcNkECkAut2nmLflo0p01zCn5-zW1t9yIbgdaowk1genlXHLmpoXbsQoy4UzN5NMpHIKFqLSuZJSbMYWAkVWdRe~EnegoxBT5nA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-08-13T10:49:18Z","article","City staff presented a multi-phase plan for Wills Park proper that combines bond-funded construction, foundation support and a community-build approach to upgrade playgrounds, restrooms, circulation and park amenities.
Staff member Morgan told the Recreation Commission the mayor and council on Aug. 18 approved a little more than $18 million in park improvements, with roughly $17.4 million earmarked for the larger bond projects and an additional $1.9 million from the Equestrian Foundation to advance work at the Alpharetta Equestrian Center. \"We have a meeting with the contractors tomorrow to get the schedule and to begin work,\" Morgan said, adding that construction is expected to start in the fall and that the work will proceed in phases over about 18 months.
The project scope for Wills Park proper includes an expanded Wacky World playground, a substantially larger restroom and concession building placed adjacent to the playground, a continuous concrete \"spine\" trail connecting west and south park entrances, new gateway treatments, and upgrades to Old Rucker and Union Hill parks later in the program. Morgan said the new restroom will roughly double the number of fixture stations in the complex and include a family restroom. \"We're going to 21 restrooms... more than double\" the current total, Morgan said.
Play-surface and accessibility changes: Morgan said Wacky World will use a poured-rubber surface to create a continuous, more accessible play area. He said the plan adds a third shade structure and a black-steel fence like the pool perimeter and that many play features will be ADA-accessible.
Community build and contractor: The city will use a community-build model for the playground installation to reduce cost and increase local engagement; Morgan said that approach saves approximately $350,000 versus a contractor-only build. The city has contracted with Integrated Construction (ICAN) as the construction manager; staff said ICAN will tool up to work on the equestrian center and Wacky World simultaneously.
Tree removal and stormwater: Staff warned that significant tree removal will be required for the Wacky World/restroom area because of stormwater design and site grading. \"All these trees have to come out for this project to move forward,\" Morgan said, noting many are ornamental and crepe myrtles; he said some trees are in decline and several are on the footprint of redesigned stormwater features.
Dog park and circulation: The dog park will be redesigned from three areas to two, with improved subsurface drainage and seating. The design also removes a turning lane on Old Milton at the community center entrance to reduce cut-through traffic; staff said the spine will be concrete (not asphalt) and will not be part of the Alpha Loop routing through the park.
Construction sequencing and operations: Staff said the contractor must maintain access to fields throughout work and accommodate ongoing equestrian events; Morgan said that could require people to walk around construction zones but that fields and shows will remain accessible. He said the city will add signage to teach expected park behavior and enforce rules prohibiting bicycles and motorized scooters in the Wills Park proper area, subject to operational adjustments for very young children and caregivers.
Funding and schedule: Morgan said the overall program stays within the bond budget and that combining work under one construction manager should produce a more consistent product and cost control. Staff expects to present equestrian center details at the commission’s next meeting and to show Union Hill and Old Rucker Park updates at the subsequent meeting.
","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Alpharetta Recreation Commission Meeting - August 12, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","City staff presented designs and a timeline for a multi‑phase Wills Park renovation that includes an expanded Wacky World playground, a much larger restroom building, a continuous spine trail and equestrian center upgrades funded by a recent bond appropriation and foundation support.","taxTitle","Alpharetta, Fulton County, Georgia","taxId",3991,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6140505,"Recreation commission votes to recommend $40 annual nonresident fee for adult activity center",531,1450000,1981000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5578564-b8817020966a0e90602d8ade200e2624&start=1450&end=1981","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5578564-b8817020966a0e90602d8ade200e2624/thumbnail_1450000.jpg","/articles/6140505/Alpharetta/Fulton-County/Georgia/Recreation-commission-votes-to-recommend-40-annual-nonresident-fee-for-adult-activity-center","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6140505-6099f5e0ffe3fcb1ec16e000cf39a5ac/orig.mp4?Expires=1771164089&Signature=M3Lg-IBYLTKYP77cq-rCDiegKVP8GA01UsQB6rYGwd0gKpgqr~ludJUObzNSzLKES25zs~qX~jM2CQhFc04fz3B3aDSsnH5e04YPv0fCfPP6VBMWxQY1qSNLWS4eIiQ1-uYNBPF~SahLUL8pq6dOYfZZoDm3~oRZjvL4TCeOw0to7~IVibHVrdgTLeTlPXlahHBFN4PO0Lih3jOox7gbaadN8qfxcZaqr0P7gpGwlHQwTY61dHn-IjeZH3w73HHSoEuG9Kzu7LOALj9ibHyc~Glhcp2DipqvG1fHzVpiF4yy8-za9JyOvkWzkN9tgqoN~1I~uKezGhlPLc8gWTHvdw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Alpharetta Recreation Commission voted 6-0 to recommend that Mayor and City Council adopt a $40 annual nonresident fee for the city’s Adult Activity Center, a move staff said would begin in early 2026 and include membership cards for tracking use.
Staff member Morgan said the commission first discussed a nonresident fee at a prior workshop and placed the recommendation on the commission’s agenda for tonight’s vote. \"If you’re not an Alpharetta resident, you’ll pay $40 for the privilege for a year to do the activities and enjoy the Adult Activity Center. If you’re a resident of Alpharetta, nothing changes,\" Morgan said.
The commission’s motion to forward the recommendation was made by Miss Shorant and seconded by Commissioner Norton; the body recorded a unanimous 6-0 vote to carry the motion. Morgan said staff expects the program to begin in February 2026 if the mayor and council approve the recommendation.
Staff said the city will issue a single membership card for each participant that will be swiped at program and facility entry points so usage can be tracked across activities. Morgan told commissioners the city plans routine evaluations of program impact: \"Christine has it marked 6 months and 12 months to give a report back to the commission,\" Morgan said, describing the plan to compare usage before and after the fee’s start.
Commissioners asked how the policy would handle short-term visitors or one-time users. Morgan said the $40 fee would apply to nonresidents who use Adult Activity Center programs and that staff will return a written policy on one-off guest handling after staff member Christine Young returns from travel.
On affordability, Morgan described an existing scholarship framework that can cover program fees for people who meet federal eligibility standards such as free or reduced-price school lunch or other income documentation. \"There is the opportunity for scholarships for people who cannot afford it,\" Morgan said.
The commission approved a $5 replacement-card fee for lost membership cards and instructed staff to return with operational details on guest passes and one-off use. The recommendation forwarded to the mayor and council would be advisory until the council votes to adopt the fee.
","The Alpharetta Recreation Commission voted 6-0 to recommend that the mayor and City Council adopt a $40 annual nonresident membership fee for the Adult Activity Center; staff said implementation would include membership cards and six- and 12-month usage reports.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6140500,"Arts staff distribute new guide, preview Cultural Arts Master Plan and Arcadia Academy transition",167,248000,415000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5578564-b8817020966a0e90602d8ade200e2624&start=248&end=415","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5578564-b8817020966a0e90602d8ade200e2624/thumbnail_248000.jpg","/articles/6140500/Alpharetta/Fulton-County/Georgia/Arts-staff-distribute-new-guide-preview-Cultural-Arts-Master-Plan-and-Arcadia-Academy-transition","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6140500-73d346672d13ebddb47a18d29a0937f3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771164089&Signature=NG0O1UiCR5ECld4bhpOF37WHnWpiFarwRLMCwXSYybWxF~UWzjyJUyorYgS-FjtIROS6VTFxwMBgAEUrK~pSM~unjvnNmNipgY0MqWac9EIw9JEm1HWuhmVuBviFGjoGDtx0~9Tl6NJvKPcWQEJDqQyssEiZdqamHlbYB5GAsImJxib7WtLSj9pBqwsrww0C3yHb7OZPlAG4vVus6CWwNj96mxzmOowlzAUW58lghT8MV~uQN1NBDGy0BLoDe-Cb1EUvN-mE2jVZ1f~QxkOB~9IHC6cK9aJUAhMC4t6yUq-RSoQhssR6-i6kiN3jTKG~UAKArozaHm8UsF47GfdNcQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Arts and culture staff distributed a fall‑to‑winter Arts & Culture Guide, reviewed seasonal programming at the Spotlight and said the city will present a Cultural Arts Master Plan to the City Council for consideration.
Kim, identified in the packet as an arts staff member, told the commission a printed guide is available that lists events, the Art Help program and partnered cultural events; the guide includes a calendar of festivals, gallery shows and performances at the Spotlight arts venue. \"We're very proud of that,\" Kim said, noting programming this season will include acting classes, a kids’ cabaret, Matilda Junior and community performances including a School of Rock finale concert.
Kim described Arcadia Academy’s relationship with the Alfredo Presbyterian Church and said Arcadia is expanding beyond the church after Act 1 transfers its theater group to Arcadia when the group secures 501(c)(3) status. \"Act 1 will still exist within the church... Arcadia is branching out, and they'll have shows throughout the city in different theaters,\" Kim said.
Kim said the Cultural Arts Master Plan is available online and consultant Morgan will present it at a City Council workshop on Monday, Aug. 18; staff hopes the council will move the plan toward a final vote on Aug. 20. \"If council does pass that on the 18th, we hope to move it forward for final approval on the 20th,\" Kim said.
Other announcements included two new murals on the Alpha Loop, plans to add two sculptures, an Atlanta Collage Society gallery installation and an Alfredo Symphony concert on Sept. 19; staff encouraged commissioners and the public to review the online materials and contact staff with questions.
","Arts and culture staff shared a seasonal Arts & Culture Guide, announced upcoming exhibitions and performances, described Arcadia Academy's transition from Act 1 and said consultants will present the Cultural Arts Master Plan to City Council at a workshop on Aug. 18 with a final council vote tentatively planned for Aug. 20.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

City outlines multi‑phase Wills Park renovation: bigger Wacky World, new restroom, tree removals and community build

Recreation commission votes to recommend $40 annual nonresident fee for adult activity center

Arts staff distribute new guide, preview Cultural Arts Master Plan and Arcadia Academy transition