City Council Mulls Bell & Boles Park Plans

The Johns Creek Public Works Department on July 9 presented the with proposed conceptual plans and phases for a pocket park adjacent to the .

Public Works Director Tom Black also presented feedback from a workshop the city conducted in May with nearby property owners.

He said nearby residents in Sugar Mill, Edgewater and Montclair neighborhoods preferred a passive use for the park. [The No. 1 recommendation] was "no dog park," he said.

The residents also stated they would like landscaping buffers to minimize noise and lighting, security measures to limit park access from dawn to dusk, no separate restroom facilities and minimal parking.

Council member Bev Miller expressed concern with minimal parking. "We do want folks to come there," she said.

The plans include three phases to be completed at the same time, with construction of the park and traffic roundabout beginning in 2014. 

Phase 1 includes installation of landscaped roadway shoulder and security lighting and gate. Phase 2 consists of more fencing, parking, restrooms, landscaping, parking and improvements to a house located on the property based on what its use will ultimately be. Phase 3 includes parking expansion, picnic shelters, playground and grill.

Phase 1 costs $185,000 and has already been paid for. Phase 2 costs $290,000 and Phase 3 costs $285,000. Black said funds for the rest of the project, which is 80 percent federally funded with a 20 percent local match, could possibly come from transportation grants.

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