Roswell committee approves application for up to $4 million state parks grant for Don White Park

Roswell — The Roswell city committee voted unanimously Feb. 19 to apply for the State of Georgia Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership (ORLP) grant seeking up to $4,000,000 to support construction at Don White Park.

Director Malone told the committee Don White Park is at about 60% design completion and has an estimated construction cost of roughly $7.5 million to $8 million, currently funded through the city’s 2022 bond referendum. The ORLP grant is administered through the Land and Water Conservation Fund; the grant requires a 1-to-1 local match, which the city would provide from the 2022 bond fund allocations, Malone said.

If awarded, Malone said, the project must begin within one year of award and be completed within three years. The application deadline is Feb. 28; the city expects a notification of award by September 2025. He added that receiving up to $4 million would free the matched bond dollars for reallocation to other city priorities.

Councilmember Jean Lee Hills praised the plan and the city’s approach to projects adjacent to Don White Park, saying the neighboring development has “exceeded every one of my expectations” and that she would support the application.

The motion to submit the application and accept the grant if awarded was made by Councilmember Jean Lee Hills and seconded by Councilmember William Northland; the vote was unanimous.

The committee discussion focused on project timing, scope and funding mechanics; no implementation details beyond the match source and schedule were adopted during the meeting. The committee did not take public comment at this meeting; questions or comments from the public are handled at regular council meetings, the chair reminded attendees.

The city will return to council with required grant-acceptance paperwork and any necessary budget adjustments if the award is announced.