Nelson Gets Bond Money for Park

What to do with $200,000? Nelson City Council held a public bond hearing Monday night to answer this question. Specifically, the money is allocated for the renovation of Edmondson Field, which lies in the Cherokee County part of Nelson.

According to Cherokee Recreation and Parks Director Bryan Reynolds, the bond was approved by voters in November 2008. Nelson will receive a total of $250,000 for design and construction. However, Cherokee limited Nelson to using only $200,000 of the money, as a cushion in case of construction cost overage, fees, and pre-construction costs, Nelson Councilman Duane Cronic said during Monday night’s hearing. Reynolds says the fund allocation to Nelson is part of the “Three Cities Project,” which includes Nelson, Ball Ground and Waleska.

Heading up the project on the Nelson Council, Cronic explained the project in more detail at Monday’s meeting, discussing a master plan outlined by Cherokee County, copies of which were available at the meeting.

“This (the master plan) was done,”

he said,

“with the stipulation that we don’t have enough money to do all of it.”

He went on to say that the master plan was a list of possible renovations for the park. The list is comprised of seven items and their costs: 1) Nature Trails at Dogwood, $17,470 2) Nature Trails at Main Park, $45,000 3) New Parking Lot (at) Restroom Building,$248,605 4) Extended Gravel Driveway and Parking, $68,100 5) Playground Equipment,$35,000 6) Renovate Basketball Court,$49,062.50 7) Improve Existing Ball Field, $375,030. Each project has sub-items, which Cronic said could be selected individually and mixed and matched, each with individual costs.

Citizens speaking at the meeting were mainly pleased to hear the possibility of the project. Drina Haviland said she would like to see a creative play area for both children and adults, a paved walkway, clean restrooms that are handicap accessible, and a covered picnic area. Although Lamar Kelly seemed to favor the renovations, he questioned pricing of some of the items.

Cronic said that Nelson has until August 13th to send a formal letter to Cherokee County with its decisions for the renovation projects. The city council is expected to vote on the projects at its next meeting.

See video of the park bond hearing.

2012 JULY PICKENS GOV Nelson City Council Park Bond Meeting from Fetch on Vimeo.