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Parks staff present $691,000 plan for Diamond Lakes Regional Park; commission approves most items now, delays cameras
Summary
Parks staff released a detailed estimate for improvements at Diamond Lakes Regional Park, recommending phasing work and deferring an estimated $200,000 for video cameras; commissioners voted to proceed with other items, prioritizing speed humps and benches.
Parks and recreation staff presented the public services committee with a roughly $691,000 estimate to address petitions for improvements at Diamond Lakes Regional Park, including sidewalks, shelters, benches, lighting repairs, surveillance, traffic calming and parking adjustments.
Director Williams told commissioners the full package — which included ADA-compliant ramps, seven-to-eight-hundred-square-foot shelters with electric and water hookups, 8–10 benches around the walking trail, expanded surveillance and three additional speed humps — totaled about $691,000. Parks staff said park lights were repaired in April at no city cost, that existing security cameras are concentrated at the community center and tennis center, and that installing new surveillance hardware and monitoring would raise costs substantially. The staff recommended holding off on the concrete sidewalk portion (the most costly item) and highlighted that some work has already been completed at no cost.
Commissioners and staff discussed priorities. Commissioner Alvin Mason and Mayor Pro Tem Wayne Guilfoyle emphasized speed humps and small amenities to improve safety and accessibility, noting sidewalks could be phased in as part of the park’s master plan. Williams said sidewalk construction alone was the costliest line item. Commissioners also discussed the possible funding source; Guilfoyle pointed to unused SPLAS (SPLOST) splash funds and asked staff to look for available camera funding in the budget or sheriff’s grants.
Frank Howard and Octavia Collins, representing neighborhood interests, thanked staff for the assessment and urged timely action. After discussion, the committee approved proceeding with the scope of improvements excluding cameras — a package the administrator’s office said totals roughly $491,000 — and directed staff to continue exploring funding for cameras and to return with phasing and cost details. The vote to proceed with the package except for cameras carried unanimously.
