Friday, June 20, 2003

Duncan Park to open by the Fourth

By JOHN THOMPSON
jthompson@TheCitizenNews.com

Fairburn residents should be able to enjoy a re-opened Duncan Park by July 4.

That's the word from city administrator Jim Williams who said Fairburn and Fulton County have signed off on a lease agreement that will allow the park to open after six months of being closed.

"We're leasing it from them for $1 a year," Williams said.

Fairburn will take over the operation of the park and is in the process of evaluating what recreation services should be offered.

"People will definitely be able to walk, jog and have picnics by July 4," Williams said.

The city expects to spend $60,000 a year in operating the park, and Williams said the funs to run the park for the rest of the year will come from savings in other departments.

The re-opening of the park settles a long-running dispute between Fairburn and Fulton County. Because of a state law, Fulton County stopped funding the park when Fairburn's population reached 5,000.

"We're going to make a full evaluation of the park and see what programs our residents want there," Williams added.