Published October 27, 2005

Pickens parks trailing the pack
Community survey underway on future recreation needs

        Based on any indicator, Pickens County park facilities trail those of all surrounding counties.
From the number of ball fields to the length of walking trails, the parks here are smaller, in worse condition and lack the amenities of those in Gilmer, Dawson and Fannin counties.
   Two of those counties, Dawson and Fannin, are involved in expansion plans using sales tax revenue to add gymnasiums to their facilities.
        A countywide survey is underway here to determine what the citizens want their future parks to look like. The survey will run until October 31.
Recreation Department Director Greg Walker said the county needs to identify  improvements and additions the people want to see at their parks. Walker said the first step is to develop a master plan before any renovation or construction begins.
    During the planning stage he encouraged people to consider anything including facilities like skate parks or buying additional property.
        Commissioner Robert Jones identified recreation as a top three priority.
        He has said if there is enough demand by the citizens to warrant it, he will put recreation needs on a future sales tax referendum. But he has said he will not send money if people don't want new facilities.
The three-page survey is available at the recreation department. It appeared in last week's and the October 5 Progress. Additional copies of those papers are available at the newspaper office. Walker said he will release the results as soon as they are tallied.  

Pickens County Parks

2003 county population
26,905

* Main park 40 acres, some other areas such as the Burnt Mountain Preserve and community playgrounds. City of Jasper also has park with two ball fields, tennis courts and other facilities.

Facilities
* One regulation softball/baseball  field;
one small than regulation field; three fields for little league;
four fields only large enough for eight year old and under leagues;
open space areas
Two fields have lights.

* Half-mile walking trail

* One pavilion

*Smaller than Olympic-sized pool

* One playground

* Relies on school board facilities for basketball program. Football offered here through Jasper Youth Sports.

* All work and facilities have been completed using general fund tax dollars.

* Community survey underway for possible expansion/improvement.

Gilmer County Parks

2003 county population
25,973

* Main park 45-50 acres
(plans are in discussion stage of acquiring a second 35 acre site  in conjunction with school board)
No other recreation facilities in county.

Facilities
* Seven baseball/softball fields, five have lights.

*One large outdoor pavilion; two smaller pavilions available for use free with reservation.

*Swimming pool -- Olympic size for adults with additional shallow area and a diving well with medium height diving board.

* Four tennis courts with lights

*Soccer complex
one full sized field, three smaller fields; no lights. Fields were damaged during Hurricane Ivan but will be restored

* 3/4 mile mile walking trail

* Relies on school board facilities for basketball program. They offer football but rely on school facilities  as well.

* All work and facilities have been completed using general fund tax dollars.

Dawson County Parks

2003 county population
18,575

* Two major parks
Dawson County Park 42 acres
Rock Creek Park is 50 acres

Facilities
Dawson County Park
* six softball/baseball fields;
one football field;
 All fields have lights.

* Two large pavilions

* a 13,000 square foot  gymnasium doubles as community center

* Olympic size pool in "L" shape with diving platform

* two playgrounds

Rock Creek
*  two adult softball /baseball fields;  four medium size softball /baseball fields;
 four tee-ball fields.
All fields have lights.

* Three multi-use fields large enough for recreation adult soccer;

* Two playgrounds

* 1.1 mile walking trail lighted

* Two pavilions

* Recreation Center will open later this year will hold two basketball courts, 150 person banquet facility, workout room, meeting/ dance/aerobics room, party room for small birthday parties. Indoor walking trail.

Rock Creek was funded through SPLOST with phase one -- the ball fields costing $3.6 million. Phase two -- the rec. center, $2.5 million.

* County is at work on a master plan for next five, ten and 15 years.

Fannin County Parks

2003 county population
21,234

* Three county parks
Main park is 107 acres; also a five acre and a seven acre "passive recreation" areas. Blue Ridge also has facilities including tennis and a swimming pool

Facilities
Smaller parks contain pavilions and picnic areas, playgrounds, horseshoe courts and volleyball areas. One  contains an amphitheater. One contains a softball field.

Main park
* Two regulation soccer fields;
one football field;
three little league sized softball/baseball fields;
two high school-size softball/baseball  fields;

*Two large shelters/pavilions

* three playgrounds

* one mile walking trail

* one mile biking trail

* several other smaller "multi-use areas

   * The county is currently working on a phase three expansion which will complete a large gym containing enough space to divide into three youth-sized basketball courts using screens.
Phase three will also add tennis courts and extend both the walking and biking paths to three miles.

*The main park was funded through a SPLOST. The county will begin re-evaluating for the next five years in the near future.

* Like Pickens the county relies on partnerships with the schools for use of their facilities.