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Sandy Springs seeks parks master-plan update and advances trail, Hammond and athletic complex projects
Summary
Parks & Recreation proposed a $200,000 parks master-plan update, capital requests for Hammond Park, Morgetables Athletic Complex design funds, and $2M toward the Springway/bridle trail match; staff emphasized equity and outreach for a potential parks bond.
Recreation and Parks staff reported rising program participation, improved per-participant costs and a slate of capital and operating requests for FY26. Brent (Recreation director) said participation is trending upward — the department reported roughly 5,000 more participants than FY23 and reduced average cost per participant from about $24 to $16 — and proposed both maintenance and capital investments to meet demand.
Key capital requests include: a $200,000 update to the parks and recreation master plan (the prior plan dates to 2019) intended to inform future investments and any potential parks bond; $322,000 for Hammond Park improvements (shelter, restrooms, lighting, security fencing and maintenance-shed upgrades); $2.25 million in design funding and next-phase work for Morgetables (athletics complex improvements including parking, stormwater and turf/lighting upgrades); and a $2,000,000 contribution toward a larger trail project (Bridal segment 2C construction) to be used as a local match for grants toward an estimated $14 million trail.
Staff explained the master-plan update is intended to be community-led and to support any future bond planning; Council members urged strong community engagement and asked that staff return with scope-of-work and objectives prior to issuing an RFP. Council members also encouraged exploring contracts for services with providers serving the southern part of the city and to look for partnerships with regional providers such as Chastain Park operators and other local institutions.
Brent said some projects are funded with impact fees (e.g., Riverview/Riverwalk projects) and that the dog-park and Riverside projects have dedicated funding; staff also requested funds for cameras and conduit deployment along the Springway to enable later camera installation.
