Committee reviews Shakerag Park master plan, flags parking and turf choices

The Johns Creek Parks Advisory Committee reviewed the Shakerag Park master plan and raised concerns about parking, trail access and whether artificial turf is appropriate for cricket. Erica, the parks presenter, outlined completed items and remaining tiered projects and said the cricket turf project appears on the 10-year capital plan for fiscal year 2030.

"That particular project is on fiscal year 2030 on the 10-year capital plan," Erica said, noting the item remains several years out and will be prioritized against other projects. Committee members questioned whether turfing the cricket pitch would meet the sport’s needs, since cricket traditionally requires grass surfaces. One member asked whether a turf pitch could be revised in the plan; staff responded that the plan can be amended to reflect the committee’s preference.

Parking constraints dominated the discussion. Staff described property-line irregularities near the school and recommended discussion with the school board about shared use of parking and potential clean-up of property boundaries. "We would really need to talk to the school board…is there property they're not using that we could repurpose, or is there a firmer agreement we could get in terms of using their parking lot?" Erica said.

Committee members also pressed for better trail marketing and wayfinding. Staff proposed a park map as part of the systemwide wayfinding rollout, with Shakerag signage or a map expected next summer to fall and a small trail refresh near the playground planned for spring. The committee asked staff to return with clearer cost estimates and to mark what has been funded versus what remains on planning lists.

Next steps: staff will consider revisions to the master plan language on turf, pursue school-board conversations about parking, and return with a clearer, itemized presentation of funded versus proposed projects ahead of budget season.