The Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners this week approved the purchase of 16 acres for a passive community park located on Five Forks Trickum Road. The land adjoins the Yellow River just northeast of Tom Smith Road.

The land acquisition provides for the preservation of greenspace and will protect the riparian corridor of the Yellow River. “It is so important that we purchase land in the southern part of the County and preserve it while the opportunity still exists,” said District 3 Commissioner Mike Beaudreau. “This new park will serve nearby residents in a similar way to Ronald Reagan Park, a community park that opened in 2004.”

The 2005 SPLOST program for parks and recreation is funding the $1.4 million purchase. “This is another example of the County's wise use of sale tax funds to preserve land for future generations,” said District 2 Commissioner Bert Nasuti.

“This new park meets the Parks and Recreation master plan’s objective to acquire land in the southern part of Gwinnett County,” said Commission Chairman Charles Bannister. “And it further illustrates the County’s commitment to invest in older, more established areas of the County.”

The land is being purchased from the Lee family. The new park is proposed to be named for the Lees, whose family has owned the land for generations.