Local News

Parks Closer to Reality for Southwest Cherokee

At a recent meeting, Cherokee County commissioners amended the 2019-2028 Recreation, Parks, Green Space and Trails Master Plan by adopting the Southwest Cherokee Parks and Trails Plan.

At the earlier work session meeting, the commissioners heard a brief recap of the background of the project, which began at a planning retreat in January, 2020. Commission staff had expressed interest in adding parkland to the southwest portion of Cherokee County. County officials then moved forward with the request and selected TSW to develop a parks and trails area plan for southwest Cherokee.

“While updating the 2018 Recreation and Parks Master Plan, it was discovered that this area was underserved in terms of parks and recreation,” Cherokee County District 4 Commissioner Corey Ragsdale said. “I am pleased with the plans they brought forth for the southwest area of the county.”

The plan identified four county-owned parcels as potential parks. The first two parcels make up roughly 52 acres between Highway 92 and Clark Creek Elementary School. The third 14-acre parcel is located at the intersection of Hunt Road and Priest Road. The fourth parcel is 43 acres at the corner of Old Alabama and Kellogg Creek roads.

TSW conducted a series of public engagement activities, seeking input from nearby residents. “Online participants completed over 300 surveys,” TSW Project Manager Sarah McColley said. “The top park features prioritized by participants were trails, followed by activities for families, which include playgrounds and picnic areas.”

Of the parcels included in the plan, participants selected Parcels 1 and 2 (combined) as the best option for an active park, and all four parcels ranked high for undeveloped passive parks. Participants prioritized Parcels 1 and 2 as the first park to be built, followed by the trail network.

The next steps include developing rough cost estimates for the proposed parks on each parcel and the trail network. Estimates will include several phasing options, to allow for future planning and budgeting.

“Parks aren’t just a nice place to play. They’re essential infrastructure for healthy, resilient communities,” said Jay Worley, Cherokee County Recreation and Parks Agency director. “We are so happy to bring these amenities to the residents of southwest Cherokee.”

Parcels 1 and 2.

From left: Shawn Schumacher, Georgia Academy Baseball chairman; Kimberly Gomillion, co-owner of Learning Express Toys; Marcie Smith, Children’s Haven director; Eric Gomillion, co-owner of Learning Express Toys; Jose Tunon, Georgia Academy Club president, and Eric Forbes, Georgia Academy Softball chairman. Sports Program, Local Business

Team Up to Support Foster Children

Youth athletic teams in the Georgia Academy Baseball and Softball organization showed up big for the Swing Into Spring Shopping Spree Raffle. Teams from the organization raised $6,100 for The Children’s Haven, directly affecting children experiencing foster care in Cherokee County.

The youth athletic association created the fundraiser as a community service effort, leading to the financial donation that will assist with the playground at The Children’s Haven and an experience giving two foster children a 2-minute shopping spree at Learning Express Toys of Woodstock.

On May 2, Scott Gunter won the drawing, and asked his niece, Lilly Snow, to do the shopping spree for him. Lilly paid it forward, by donating her shopping spree items to the Sequoyah High School Special Education Department and Friendship Baptist Church. The two foster children (whose names are remaining confidential) also enjoyed the excitement at Learning Express Toys and took home their haul with smiles galore.

“The shopping spree at Learning Express Toys of Woodstock was such an exciting and special gift for two sisters in our program,” Smith said. “Their CASA volunteer came to help them shop, and I think she had just as much fun as they did. What a dream come true for two sweet and deserving girls. The generosity from the store’s owners truly touched our hearts.”

The Woodstock Visitors Center offers free guided walking tours of the downtown area. On the last Thursday of each month, through September, themed guided tours will touch on the history of the area, uncover the town’s plentiful public art, share weird and unusual downtown facts, and explore the planning that has gone into making Woodstock one of the top downtowns in Georgia.

Two weeks before each tour date, monthly tour topics will be announced on Downtown Woodstock’s Facebook and Instagram pages, where residents can register. There’s no charge, but an RSVP is required, because space is limited. Tours will be offered at 6 p.m., 6:30 p.m., 7 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., and last 30 to 45 minutes. 770-924-0406. www.visitwoodstockga.com.

A New Way to Explore Woodstock

The Credit Union of Georgia recently hosted a raffle to raise money for Mostly Mutts Animal Rescue, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, the Salvation Army, MUST Ministries and The Children’s Haven. Nearly $5,000 was raised from selling 500 tickets. “We understand our community needs us more than ever. We are proud to rally not only our members, but our employees, to fund-raise for those in need. Together we can make our community strong,” said Amanda Arnold, vice president of marketing and business development.

Fundraising continues with T-shirt sales; 100% of proceeds from the $15 shirts will benefit local charities. www.CUofGA.org/Promo.

New Tool Makes Appeal Process Easier

Cherokee County residents wanting to appeal assessment notices distributed by the tax assessor’s office have access to a convenient new tool.

An online program called Appeals, developed by Spatialist, allows residents to file assessment appeals online. The program includes the Comper tool, which gives property owners easy access to comparable sales in neighborhoods. The tool is only good for filing initial appeals.

Mailings were scheduled to begin May 17. Homeowners who disagree with their property values have a 45-day window to appeal, ending July 1. The tax office anticipates mailing more than 113,000 notices, which include the assessed value assigned to a property, used to measure applicable taxes, as well as qualified exemptions, such as homestead and senior tax exemptions.

Cherokee County Chief Appraiser Steve Swindell said property owners should expect to see an average of 7-8% increase in their assessment for an existing home, based on the average residential property value of $325,000.

Homeowners wishing to file an appeal can find instructions on their assessment notice, as well as a link to the appeal tool at appeals.spatialest. com/ga-cherokee.

“If a change is made and an adjusted notice of assessment is sent, the taxpayer would be required to mail us their intent to continue their appeal within 30 days of the date of the notice,” Swindell said.

For more information, call 678-493-6120, or visit www.cherokeega.com/tax-assessors-office.