Developer to deed land for park to Village

As members of the Parks & Recre- ation Committee debated between options for creating a new Village pocket park, a land donation from a local developer settled the matter. Trustees agreed with the committee’s recommendation to accept the land with their Dec. 21 vote of approval, and a new park will be the result.

In a Dec. 2 letter, Jeff Horve of Horve Developers offered to deed Lot No. 1 in the third addition of Grayhawk subdivision to the Village of Forsyth for use as a pocket park. The developer asked that the land donation replace a $15,000 park-land contribution required by the Village for his newest residential project, Shadow Ridge Estates.

The donated land faces County Highway 20 directly across from the proposed entrance to Shadow Ridge Estates, so it could serve both subdi- visions, said trustee and committee chair Eric Morr, noting at the Dec. 21 Board meeting that the Village could also choose to buy or develop land in Shadow Ridge later on if it is felt additional park land is needed.

The new park means residents will be offered recreational opportuni- ties in a seventh Forsyth pocket park. Other pocket parks are located at the northeast corner of Forsyth Public Library, along Oakland Avenue, and in Eagle Ridge, Montezuma Hills, Schroll Pointe and Forsyth Estates subdivisions.

“The pocket park name came from the idea that they are small and inserted into neighborhoods to serve smaller areas of the community,” said Mayor Hap Gilbert. “They are compact without being intrusive, yet offer a variety of playground equipment and family outing opportunities.” He noted that a small pavilion and picnic table can be found in each location.

The committee members now hope to turn their attention to a big ticket item that has been on their wish list since early 2008 – a $1.5 million bike path connection that would cross the bridge on Hickory Point Road and a Stevens Creek tributary. The path would wind across land owned by Decatur Park District before ending up on Oakland Avenue as it crosses at Hickory Point Estates subdivision.

“The committee has always looked at that connection as important to the overall bike path scheme of continuity,” Gilbert said.