Services provided by Fulton County may be on the wane, but in Palmetto that cloud has a silver lining. The city council June 5 unanimously approved a Facility Use Agreement with Fulton County over recreational programming at Wilkerson Mill Park.
The 30-acre park provides a football field, soccer field, two lighted youth baseball fields, three lighted adult softball fields, two picnic shelters, a playground, two concession stands and a remaining building housing an office, restrooms and an announcer’s booth.
“I think it’s a great opportunity, not only for the citizens of Palmetto, but for everyone in the surrounding area. With the cuts and the personnel and funding issues the county has been faced with in the last few months, someone needed to step up to the plate.”
Boddie said the city getting the park was a facet of the long partnership between Palmetto and Fulton County.
“So I think this is a further extension of the partnership and a matter of stepping up to the plate and doing what’s necessary to keep recreation in South Fulton County, especially in the Palmetto area,” Boddie said.
The agreement has a seven month term with an option to renew for four successive years subject to approval by the Fulton County Commission. According to the agreement, the county will provide landscaping, pay utility bills and will empty trash cans and clean the restrooms once a week when time and schedules allow. The city agreed provide a recreation director to administer community outreach and recreational programming and is responsible for daily clean-up at the facility.
City Administrator Bill Shell also thought the acquisition of Wilkerson Mill Park would benefit residents of Palmetto and beyond.
“I think this is great,” said Shell. “I think it’ll be a great opportunity not only for the city of Palmetto, but for the youth in Palmetto and surrounding area to have some activities to have some activities throughout the summer and into the fall.”
The acquisition of Wilkerson Mill Park follows a call weeks ago by council members Leon Sumlin, John Miller, Greg Rusch and Jeff Yasson to have the city take a proactive role in providing recreational activities for city youth and their families.
Wilkerson Mill Park is located at 8095 Wilkerson Mill Road approximately one-quarter mile north of Roosevelt Highway.