Parks Bond Initiative
In November 2006, Cobb voters approved a referendum asking the county to issue $40 million in bonds for the purchase of new parkland. Commercial and residential development in Cobb County was booming, and the citizens wanted to secure land before there was no undeveloped land left. A citizen advisory committee, appointed by the commissioners, evaluated several submitted tracts and presented their list of properties to the Cobb County Board of Commissioners for final selection.
The Land
Mabry Park made the cut as part of the bond program and, in 2008, Cobb County acquired 26.5 acres from Ed and Sue Mabry Harris. This historical farm was saved for the people of Cobb County to enjoy as a future park. The Mabry family’s roots run deep in this part of the county, and the Mabry Farm is unique, having received the Centennial Farm Award in recognition of it being a working farm run by the Mabry family for over 100 years.
The Friends Group Imagined a Place . . .
Although the land was saved through the bond program, there were no designated funds to build-out the park for public use. The Friends of Mabry Park, founded in 2009, strengthened awareness about the need for a passive park in Northeast Cobb.
The Friends of Mabry Park reached out through social media, promoted public involvement, participated in local community events, engaged with the local school system and neighborhood homeowner associations and held three park previews. Most importantly, the group raised funds and, in 2011, paid for the Master Plan build-out so the community could actually envision a place.
The Friends group weathered the recession, elections and funding debates, but finally reached the top of the SPLOST Parks & Rec list and the construction was paid for with 2016 SPLOST money.
Great News!
The County’s designer is in the final stages of completing plans for the construction of Mabry Park!
We are hopeful that the County will have final plans and will begin construction in 2017. That project will include the roadway into the park as well as the internal park construction. The project to add sidewalks along Wesley Chapel Road will also be completed at this time.
This is a very exciting time for the entire community. Stay tuned for updates!
Mabry Park Groundbreaking
Birrell’s dream comes true with Mabry Park’s groundbreaking
By Mary Kate McGowan
mkmcgowan@mdjonline.com
MARIETTA — While horses were feeding in a pasture and children ran up and down hills,east Cobb Commissioner JoAnn Birrell finally broke ground on Mabry Park on Wednesday afternoon.
“Today finally the dream we’ve all had has come true,” she said.
Birrell, who consistently pushed for the picturesque park’s creation, said it will open in about 18 months.
She said the park will be a passive park, which means it will not include ball fields, and will be similar to East Cobb Park but with more amenities. More…
Save the Date!
Mabry Park
Ribbon Cutting
May 2, 2019 at 6:30 pm
Grand Opening
The official Grand Opening of Mabry Park, May 2, 2019