Ground Broken on New 'Passive Park' in Forsyth County

CUMMING, GA — A new outdoor nature park is coming to Forsyth County.

Ground was broken Tuesday on Eagles' Beak Park, which will be located off of Old Federal Road in Ball Ground, in northwest Forsyth.

Its construction is being funded by a voter-approved, 2008 parks, recreation and green space bond and the county's special-purpose, local option sales tax.

The first phase of the roughly 230-acre park will feature a canoe and kayak launch on the Etowah River, nature trails, restroom facilities and parking.

The county bought the bulk of the land for Eagle's Beak Park in 2009 with funds from the green space bond.

County commissioner Cindy Jones Mills, in whose district the park will be located, said she's excited about the project.

"We are so fortunate that in 2008 the voters had the vision to approve the $100 million Parks, Recreation

and Green Space Bond that would give the county the much-needed resources to purchase this

beautiful piece of property," said Jones Mills.

"Because of those funds, this land was able to be and soon it will be able to be used by families to canoe on the Etowah River or walk on the nature trails."

Added county Parks & Recreation director Jim Pryor: "Forsyth County is well known for our outstanding park amenities, and this new park will certainly add to that. We are particularly excited about the new canoe and kayak launch which we believe will be a very popular amenity."

Completion of Phase I is expected in spring 2017.

Design of the park was completed by Amec Foster Wheeler. Construction of the park was awarded to Tri Scapes, Inc. for roughly $1.3 million.