Dunwoody, DeKalb County purchase park space

Dunwoody City Council voted Dec. 9 to approve the purchase of Waterford Swim and Racquet Club with the intention to create additional park space and trails.

According to Dunwoody officials, DeKalb County Commissioner Nancy Jester secured funding for the $125,000 purchase using District 1 park bond money.

“I am delighted to help the city of Dunwoody with the acquisition of this new green space. I see this as a valuable use of commissioner-directed funding for the citizens of District 1 and the county as a whole,” Jester said. “Preserving land for parks in Dunwoody, and all of DeKalb County, as the metro area grows, is a priority and will help maintain quality of life for all residents. I look forward to the city doing great things with this addition to its park portfolio.”

The pool and tennis courts─located in 4565 Dellrose Drive and 2371 North Peachtree Way─will be removed for public park and trail space. The properties have not been in use “for years,” according to city officials.

“It was a great journey to get here,” Dunwoody City Council Member Tom Lambert said. “This is a win-win-win. It’s in the northeast portion of the city, an area in need of greenspace and surrounded by neighborhoods.”

Lambert said Dunwoody Parks and Recreation Director Brent Walker “did a tremendous amount of work to get this across the finish line.”

According to Walker, Dunwoody officials are planning to build a playground, small gazebo and trail network to connect surrounding neighborhoods to the park.

The spaces combined total 7.16 acres. City funds will be used to redevelop the land and build the park and trail amenities. A total has not been reported by Dunwoody officials.