Bodker: "Excited" About Johns Creek Parks Bond

JOHNS CREEK, GA -- Now that the results are in, city officials in Johns Creek can now begin to carry out the will of the voters on the parks bond referendum.

Voters in the city overwhelming approved the proposal, with 66 percent, or 20,579 votes in favor, to 34 percent, or 10,700 votes, in opposition.

Unofficial results on the Georgia Secretary of State's website show all 21 of Johns Creek's precincts voted in favor of the measure.

The bond will provide for an amount up to $40 million that will be specifically used for the development of new and existing parks and for acquisition of additional parks and green space.

Mayor Mike Bodker told Patch he was "excited" about the city approving the measure. What he liked about the referendum is that instead of he and other elected officials voting to raise taxes to implement the projects, the decision was placed into the hands of voters.

"Instead of me determining that I’m going to raise taxes, I get to put together list of projects and get to ask the citizens: are these so important to you that you are wiling to accelerate them by raising your taxes?," he said, also stating this was the preferred choice Fulton County leaders had when it came to the Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax for transportation that was also passed by voters.

The projects in the parks bond, Bodker added, would have been completed by the city eventually, but the referendum allows the city to fast-track the projects.

City leaders recently approved the design concepts for five parks that are slated to be funded with the bonds: Cauley Creek, Technology Park Linear Park, Morton Road, State Bridge Road and Bell and Boles roads.

Along with park land acquisition and recreational trail development, additional projects include constructing the Rogers Bridge trail over the Chattahoochee River; improvements to Autrey Mill Park & Nature Preserve, Newtown Park, Ocee Park and Shakerag Park; and funding for an indoor recreation center.

Project recommendations were pulled from the city's Recreation and Parks Strategic Plan, which reflects the community's needs and priorities for improving recreation sites, facilities and programs in Johns Creek.

To keep abreast of what happens following the vote to approve the parks bond, visit the city's website.

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