Milton Residents Can Give Bell Memorial Park Direction

Milton added acres to Bell Memorial Park, and now the public has three chances in late April and June to give input on the proposed expansion project.

The first will be held at Bell Memorial Park as part of the Hopewell Youth Association's HYA Day, the kick-off of the spring tournament, according to a news release from the city. The second and third will be held at Milton's City Hall. All three will be moderated by Milton's plan partner, Foresite Group.

Meeting schedule: 

• April 27: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Bell Memorial Park (click here for directions)
• June 6: 7 p.m. City Hall (click here for directions)
• June 27: 7 p.m. City Hall 

Additionally, staff has contacted representatives from 11 stakeholder groups representing sports leagues, trails enthusiasts, equestrians, local neighborhoods and more to conduct focused research.

"We know residents want more than just rectangle and diamond fields for group sports," said Jim Cregge, the city's director of Parks and Recreation. "We want to create a park with walking trails and other amenities so the park services the whole community - not just families with children playing sports.

"So please come out, take a look at what we're looking to do, and let us know what you think."

These meetings follow a Living Room Conversation in November 2012 at Shannondale Farms in which residents learned about Milton's purchase of 14 acres to more than double the size of the park.

Milton paid $1.287 million for the land from the city's parks acquisition budget after a unanimous City Council vote in September of last year. City Council later approved Foresite Group's bid of $54,000 for Bell Memorial Park master plan design and construction services March 18.  

For more information on the Bell expansion project, contact Cregge at 678-242-2489 or jim.cregge@cityofmiltonga.us.