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Correction to the print edition: Brant Keller hopes to receive an additional $25,000 in July, bringing the total cost of the Third Ward Park project to $50,000. In the Feb. 3 issue of The Grip, it was printed that Keller hoped to receive an additional $50,000 in July.
On Monday, January 24, Public Works Director Brant Keller presented to a full auditorium the City of Griffin’s plans for a pocket park in the green space behind Griffin RESA in the Third Ward District. A few hours later, a special interest facebook group was created in the name of the park. Within a few hours the group had over 60 members.
The interest in the park is overwhelmingly positive, and Keller was pleasantly surprised at the amount of feedback he received in such a short time after the meeting. “We thought it would be a good fit for the space if the people of the neighborhood wanted it,” he said.
Keller has bachelor’s degree in outdoor recreation planning from UGA. While working in Portland, Oregon and Vancouver, Washington he saw many green parks and thinks it will be a good fit for the Third Ward community. Based upon the reception of this park, the public works may move forward with plans for other pocket parks around Griffin. “This is a very good opportunity to provide services to the residents of the area; it will lend itself well to the young folks with children,” said Keller.
The project with require an initial $25,000 and will encompass the three lots at the end of the Third Ward campus, totaling .73 acres.
The design of the park includes a walking track, amphitheatre and a pond fed by stormwater runoff. The elements of the park would be very organic, natural, and “green.” Instead of metal structures, swing sets and slides would be constructed to appear more natural. Swings would come out of fabricated tree trunks and slides would be placed on dirt mounds so that children couldn’t fall off; boulders and sculpted animals such as frogs and turtles will be placed for children to climb.
The utilization of natural elements will result in a lower cost than traditional “hardscaped” elements such as swing sets, monkey bars and plastic slides due to lower maintenance and less frequent equipment replacement.
Several Deodora cedars, which once populated the campus grounds would be replanted. The last of these cedars, which many children used to climb, recently died. “They would provide shade, climbing, and a tie to the past for those of us who are nostalgic,” said Margie King, who lives in the district and attended the meeting.
Also included in the plans are a sandpit, benches and a garden area installed by horticulturists of the UGA Griffin Campus. Keller also mentioned that several garden clubs and individuals have mentioned gifting trees and services to the park.
Keller hopes to receive an additional $25,000 in July to finish the park. “I believe we should spend the tax payers’ dollars as wisely as possible. I believe this is the best way to give the people a quality park,” said Keller.
Several issues such as parking and lighting were raised by attendees. No parking lot is planned for the park, as it is intended for park goers to walk from the surrounding neighborhood. With houses so close to the park, lighting will shine downward instead of outward, and police will regularly patrol the area.
Keller emphasized that the park is in the planning stage and that any feedback or suggestions from residents of the neighborhood is welcome and will be considered.
The GRIP 
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