Big Creek Park Preservation To Be Discussed By City

ROSWELL, GA -- Following last year's contention about proposed tennis courts, the Roswell City Council is expected to present a resolution preserving Big Creek Park and creating a Master Plan at tonight's meetings.

The Resolution says, "the Mayor and Council have determined that Big Creek Park, in its

current configuration and use, is a valuable asset to the Citizens of Roswell and surrounding
communities. It goes on to say, "the City does not currently have funds specifically allocated and/or plans to develop Big Creek Park, and the Mayor and Council have determined that a publicly vetted master plan is desired before any development should occur at Big Creek Park."

Furthermore, the Resolution states, "the Mayor and Council have determined that a master plan is not required to preserve and protect what the citizens of Roswell and surrounding areas currently enjoy at Big Creek Park. The Mayor and Council wish to maintain and preserve Big Creek Park in its current state."

The Council will discuss it at its 5 p.m. work shop and 7 p.m. meeting at City Hall, 38 Hill Street.

A group of citizens, named the Big Creek Park Community Alliance posted on Facebook asking for support at the meeting. They self-described as a group of leading citizens, nature lovers, dog walkers, cycle enthusiasts, business owners and environmentalists bound together to protect Big Creek Park permanently for its current use of trees and trails. They said they do this by engaging the community and city officials respectfully.

"Last August, the citizens of Roswell and surrounding communities banded together to stop the destruction of our beloved Big Creek Park from a tennis center planned by Roswell’s Mayor and City Council," the group wrote. "In October at a Town Hall in East Roswell, the community continued to present a clear, unified message to preserve Big Creek Park in its current state for future generations."

Big Creek Park was purchased by the citizens of Roswell in 2002 with an $18 million bond, the group said.

"It is time once again for action," they wrote. "We want to peacefully pack the courthouse again to show the community’s continued support for preserving Big Creek Park for Trees and Trails."

The group said the Resolution was a collaboration by Big Creek Park Community Alliance, Fresh Bikes, Council member Marcelo Zapata and the City of Roswell attorney.

A change.org petition from last fall garnered more than 38,000 signatures.

(For more news and information like this, subscribe to the Roswell Patch for free. If you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app; download the free Patch Android app here. Don't forget to like us on Facebook!)