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Private Citizens Create Community Park
(From the Advocates for Self Government)

Some Georgians have discovered that you don't need taxes or the government to create a park.

Many citizens in east Cobb County, Georgia -- a booming community of 200,000 residents just north of Atlanta -- had hoped the county government would purchase a 13-acre privately-owned former horse farm and turn it into a public park. They formed "Friends for the East Cobb Park" to support a tax increase to accomplish this.

But when voters rejected a sales tax for parks last fall, the group didn't give up. Instead, they turned to private, voluntary means.

More than 1,000 families pledged $40 each. Civic groups raised additional dollars. One third grader stood outside a golf course, asking golfers for spare change -- and raised $162. Three large companies joined the effort, donating $50,000 each.

By such diverse means, the group raised a whopping $750,000 to purchase the 13 acres of grass and tall trees. The city government agreed to advance them $350,000 to cover pledges not yet collected -- a loan the group will pay back.

The land -- which many people had predicted would become a mall -- will instead become a community park with a gazebo and picnic and walking areas.

And "Friends for the East Cobb Park" have created a model for getting things done that other communities would be smart to adopt.

(Source: Atlanta Constitution, April 11, 2001)

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