Woodstock accepts donated parcel for Little River Park, advances parks bond and SPLOST projects

The Woodstock mayor and council voted May 19 to accept a donated parcel from the Green Prince Alliance for incorporation into Little River Park and advanced several park and capital projects tied to the parks bond and SPLOST 7 funding.

City staff said the parks bond (issued in April 2024) and SPLOST 7 funds are financing a multi-year list of park and trail projects. Little River Park was presented as the largest upcoming project and staff said construction will begin in a couple of months and is expected to run about 18 months. Council also reviewed SPLOST-funded transportation projects that include resurfacing, sidewalks, a Town Lake Parkway widening project, and the Noonday Creek Trail extension (partially matched with a GDOT grant).

The deed acceptance: City staff noted the Green Prince Alliance donation fills a parcel identified for the Little River Park master plan and asked council to accept the quitclaim deed. Council voted 6-0 to accept the donation; the staff presentation said annexation and zoning related to the parcel would follow at a future meeting.

Short-term work program and impact fees: Staff also presented the annual short-term work program required by the Department of Community Affairs (DCA) and an impact-fee accounting summary (Parks & Recreation impact fees). Council approved submission of the short-term work program to DCA and ARC for review; adoption is scheduled for a later meeting after state review.

Ending: The deed acceptance and submission of the capital improvements short-term work program position the city to begin Little River Park construction and continue SPLOST-funded infrastructure work; certain items will return to council for formal adoption or permitting.