Park improvements ready for public use

The new playground at Rock Springs Park is ready for play. Officials recently opened the park improvements with a ribbon cutting celebration marking the addition of a lighted dog park, a soccer complex, and the new playground.

The $5.9 million project was funded by revenue from the 2009 Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax. Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners Chairman Charlotte Nash said that many projects enjoyed by the public wouldn’t get built without the taxpayers’ continued support of the sales tax.

District 1 Commissioner Jace Brooks, whose district encompasses Rock Springs Park, said the park will allow young people to learn about sports and sportsmanship while enjoying physi- cal exercise.

He noted that Rock Springs Park also has Gwinnett’s first lighted dog park.

The park expansion project includes an 11,600-square-foot playground with an open shelter. The playground features climbing structures, swings, and a zip-line. The new park additions also feature a 2.3-acre dog park, con¬nections to the existing loop trail, a new park entrance, and 340 additional parking spaces.

The new soccer complex has three fields and a concession-restroom building, but the fields won’t be available for play until the spring when the grass is established. The Collins Hill Athletic Association willoffer soccer beginning in spring 2018.

Information: www.chaasports. com. KAREN HUPPERTZ FOR THE AJC