Peachtree City adopts 200‑page Recreation Master Plan, council stresses prioritization

Peachtree City council adopted a Recreation Master Plan at its regular meeting after staff presented a multi-year planning document and recommended next steps. The motion to adopt the plan passed 4-0; one council member was absent.

The plan — compiled by consultant CPL after public outreach and more than 2,000 survey responses — lays out more than 30 recommended capital projects and upgrades. Staff and council said the document is a planning tool, not an authorization to spend, and emphasized the need to prioritize projects and identify funding before construction begins.

Recreation department staff described the process that produced the plan, saying the city issued an RFP in May 2023, awarded it to CPL in August, completed data collection and stakeholder interviews, and received the final plan in December. “This document is over 200 pages long with the appendices,” recreation staff said during the presentation, noting the city must “eat it one bite at a time” when implementing projects.

Major projects highlighted in the plan include redevelopment at Braelin Recreation (a multipurpose field space that could accommodate cricket and soccer), a proposed public pickleball site on the Rockaway compost property with a conceptual 24 courts, a proposed indoor natatorium with lap pool and community space at Mead, expanded trails and boardwalks, new restrooms and electric golf-cart charging at Battery Way Park, and redevelopment of the Kelly Drive property for a pavilion, veterans plaza and farmers market. Many recommendations have no funding identified in the plan; staff told council that some items reflect projects already partially funded while most will require future budget decisions.

Public commenters who signed up for the meeting urged quick implementation of pickleball facilities. “Please approve the master plan, approve the funding, and let’s build some courts so we can all enjoy this great game,” Lloyd Smith said during public comment. Sue Reed, representing roughly 780 members of the PTC Fayette Pickleball Club, asked for clarity on timelines and construction start dates and requested that staff share any implementation dates as soon as possible so members know progress is underway.

Council discussion focused on the difference between adopting the plan and committing funding for individual projects. “Adopting it is just adopting the plan,” a council member said; staff and council agreed that adoption signals approval of the planning document but not automatic project approval or payment. Council asked that the newly formed recreation advisory group and city staff work with sports associations and potential private partners to help prioritize and seek funding.

Staff outlined near-term “doable” items such as maintenance improvements, fee reviews, and renegotiating county field-use fees. The presentation also noted recommended fee changes, additional staffing in the recreation division, and preservation of green space and preventative maintenance schedules.

Councilman(s) said the council will prioritize plan recommendations during a planned February retreat and through the newly formed recreation advisory group. The motion to adopt the plan was made and seconded during the meeting; the recorded vote was 4 in favor, 0 opposed (one council member absent). The city manager and staff were directed to proceed with administrative next steps, including onboarding the advisory group and presenting prioritized items for council consideration.