Friday, October 25, 2002

City, County still discussing Duncan Park

By JOHN THOMPSON
jthompson@TheCitizenNews.com

Fairburn officials are still trying to work out the details of who will operate Duncan Park.

The city's officials were caught offguard earlier this year when Fulton County said it would stop funding the park because it was now Fairburn's responsibility.

In a letter to Fulton County Manager Tom Andrews, Fairburn Mayor Betty Hannah said the park is a "regional park and should not be de-annexed by the county.

Hannah urged the county to seek a change in the state law that forced the county to ask Fairburn to take over the park, since the city's population had reached 5,000.

But the Mayor said if the county is unwilling to do that, Fairburn will operate the programs at the park starting Nov.30.

If the city starts operating the park, Hannah said the city will create a parks and recreation department and maintain the buildings, while Fulton County would continue to maintain the general grounds.

Hannah also made it clear that she would like to see the city and county work together to get the swimming pool in working order and open it again for public use.

The mayor urged the county to find an agreement on the issue before the Nov.30 deadline.