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Forsyth County to remake Bennett Park with new community center and turf field; completion planned for 2026
Summary
Forsyth County officials previewed a full renovation of Bennett Park, saying the 30‑acre site — the county’s oldest park — will get a community center, turf multipurpose field, improved drainage and upgraded lighting, paid largely with SPLOST funds and a $2.2 million state grant.
Forsyth County officials on site at Bennett Park said the county will rebuild the 30‑acre park — its oldest — with a new community center, a turf multipurpose field, upgraded sports lighting, improved parking and traffic flow, and better drainage for the baseball fields.
“Kirk Franz, with Forsyth County Parks and Recreation, said the work represents a near‑total replacement of facilities. “So, really, it's gonna be a brand new park,” Franz said.
John Jefferson, director of capital projects, said crews are pouring sidewalks, building a couple of structures and preparing the field for turf installation. “We should be able to finish 2026,” Jefferson said, describing active construction on site.
Jefferson said the renovation is being paid primarily with SPLOST 8 funds, with some SPLOST 9 funding, and a grant from the state of Georgia for $2,200,000 (reported in the briefing). County officials described the state grant as a significant portion of the non‑SPLOST funding. The county did not provide a detailed line‑item budget during the segment.
The project’s visible elements include a new community center building, a multipurpose turf field intended for a range of sports, upgraded backstops and drainage on the baseball fields, improved sports lighting, and reconfigured parking and traffic flow near Firstmill Road in northeast Forsyth County.
Franz also outlined other forthcoming parks projects: a polo fields master plan for recently acquired property that will involve community engagement, a renovation at Sharon Springs Park, and work to reopen and repair a currently closed section of the county greenway.
Officials encouraged residents to consult Forsyth County Parks and Recreation’s official website and the county’s news channels for schedules and further project details. The on‑site briefing did not announce formal votes or permitting milestones; Jefferson cited only an expected construction completion year of 2026.
