Parks Bond & Greenspace

Properties nominated for consideration for acquisition through the Parks Bond Program and Governor's Greenspace Program are reviewed and assessed based on the following criteria. Categorization of individual properties may be adjusted as research continues.

Advancement of the goals and recommendations of the Parks and Recreation Comprehensive Strategic Plan and the Governor's Greenspace Program serve as the foundation for the criteria.

DeKalb County pursues the acquisition of properties to protect greenspace and expand the county's system. Since the inception of the parks Bond Program and the Community Greenspace Program, over 900 properties have been nominated by the general public for acquisition/protection consideration.

If you would like more information about any of the community groups involved with DeKalb County, or would like to volunteer in other ways to help preserve DeKalb’s parks and greenspaces (park clean-ups, park watch programs, adopt-a-park, etc.), please contact the organization directly or call Dave Butler at (404) 371-2540.

DeKalb County is extremely proud of the accomplishments of several DeKalb citizen groups in creating a variety of specialized nature areas and centers. As a result of these volunteer efforts, DeKalb County has benefited from significant enhancements to the park system. At these locations, the community-based involvement has created attractions where visitors benefit from a more intensive, educational exposure to park and greenspace areas and can better appreciate the value of preserving our natural resources.

Direct citizen participation is essential for constructing the best possible network of parks and trails throughout DeKalb. To give citizens county wide a strong voice, several committees have been established to oversee County spending and activity.

The Office also reaches out to community organizations with a preservation focus as a way of furthering the greenspace acquisition and development program within DeKalb.

DeKalb County Government's Intergovernmental Greenspace Initiatives

Based on the leadership of the CEO and the Board of Commissioners, DeKalb County government has developed a greenspace consciousness that spans many areas of governmental operations. This initiative is a broad-based approach to the protection and preservation of greenspace. Outlined below are a few of the key programs where governmental operations and program activities have been designed to foster and contribute to the preservation of DeKalb's natural resources.

"To make a greenway is to make a community.”
      -Charles E. Little,
      Author of Greenways for America

To implement DeKalb's Greenspace program, through the Georgia Community Greenspace Program, in February 2001, the Board of Commissioners created "The Initiative for a Green DeKalb." This initiative is spearheaded by a committee of elected officials, county and city representatives, and citizens charged with developing a comprehensive approach for the county's greenway system.

Though many consider community greenspace a mere luxury, in DeKalb County it is a rapidly disappearing necessity. As sprawl continues to consume greater Atlanta, DeKalb finds itself already 80% developed, with no sign of losing momentum. The benefits gained from securing ample greenspace improve citizen's health and overall quality of life in many ways, including economically and environmentally.

Guided by the leadership of Chief Executive Officer Vernon Jones and the support of the DeKalb County Board of Commissioners, a bond referendum was brought before the voters of DeKalb County to provide funding for the following types of projects in unincorporated DeKalb County: land for additional parks and natural areas, preservation of greenspace, protection of clean water, improvement of existing parks, and development of new park facilities. On March 20, 2001, DeKalb County voters approved the issuance of $125 million in general obligation park bonds.