Alpharetta moves forward with Union Hill Park upgrade

By SHELBY ISRAEL shelby@appenmedia.com

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Union Hill Park may be in line for more upgrades following discussion April 17 by the Alpharetta City Council.

The City Council heard reports of positive community feedback on a new conceptual plan for the park.

Alpharetta Recreation and Parks Director Morgan Rodgers said the department incorporated feedback from the community in the design, which was unveiled for feedback at the City Council work session.

Rodgers said interest in the park waned after the declining popularity of roller hockey in the late 1990s and early 2000s, but with recent funds from the bond referendum, parks staff have returned their focus to revitalize the 11acre site.

The new conceptual plan includes space for a future art installation; play spaces for swings and slides; a relocated skate park; a new parking lot and renovated restrooms; and a detention area made with reclaimed concrete for stormwater.

City Recreation, Parks and Cultural Services presented preliminary designs of the park at virtual and in-person public meetings in March 2022.

The department also conducted a survey with 107 respondents last month to ask the public for input on the new design. Highlights from the feedback that will be incorporated into the new layout include play areas for older and younger children and maintaining the skate park.

Rodgers said the Union Hill skate park is the only designated area for skating in the city, which keeps it in demand because skating is not allowed in downtown Alpharetta.

The work session followed the Recreation Commission’s March 29 workshop on the park. The City Council is slated to vote on the design at its April 24 meeting following a final public comment period.

Also at the work session, City Administrator Chris Lagerbloom identified councilmembers’ priorities and the annual action plan for fiscal year 2024.

He said the priorities are not listed in order and are a product of councilmembers’ feedback from the January strategic planning retreat.

The top five goals are downtown Alpharetta; supporting the Public Safety Department to maintain a safe and welcoming community; the Alpha Loop and Greenway; strategic growth and redevelopment, including the North Point Parkway area; and communications strategies, including the creation of a crisis communications plan.

The plan also highlights park bond projects such as the Farmhouse Heritage Park and Wills Park; infrastructure and facilities maintenance, beginning with Fire Stations 82 and 84 and stormwater management; transportation and traffic; the creation of a formula to ensure competitive compensation for city staff; and economic development.

County elections contract

At the regular meeting that followed the work session, the City Council unanimously approved an agreement to allow Fulton County to conduct Alpharetta’s municipal elections this November. Mayor Pro Tem Dan Merkel was absent from the vote.

Councilmembers approved a resolution at a March 27 meeting for the county to handle the elections.

In January, the City Council authorized a superintendent to manage its fall elections. Fellow North Fulton cities Johns Creek, Milton and Roswell considered an agreement along with Alpharetta for a joint superintendent, but ultimately Milton was the only city to adopt its own elections management plan for this fall.

Alpharetta councilmembers also discussed options at a March 20 work session, with some citing concerns regarding a city-led voting process.

City Clerk Lauren Shapiro said the county’s $379,408 cost estimate has remained the same, but the number may change if the number of registered voters increases.

Also at the April 17 meeting, the City Council voted 6-0 to approve the first reading of an ordinance to contract the Fulton County Board of Registration and Elections as election superintendent.

Roswell hosts Georgia run to honor fallen veteran

ROSWELL, Ga. — Runners raced through a 4.2-mile path that looped around Roswell City Hall early on Saturday, April 15 to participate in the state’s only annual Pat Tillman honor run. The run honored the legacy and impact of football star-turned-army ranger Pat Tillman.