Briarwood Park and Recreation Center ……. Home of the Briarwood Barracudas ….. Briarwood Park Conservancy……

http://brookhaven.patch.com/articles/new-playground-equipment-arrives-at-briarwood-park#comment_5945099

Article published in Brookhaven Patch………….

From Revonda Moody of Dekalb County Parks & Recreation:

“Here are the updates, as best I can forecast, some items are still in the hands of purchasing/contracting

1. PARKING LOT vendor selected (HEH Paving) tentatively scheduled to start 12/3/12 status : COMPLETED

2. FENCING VENDOR (all Star Fence) selected tentatively scheduled to start 12/10/12 status : COMPLETED

3.GENERAL CONTRACTOR selected (Willow Construction) , contract being executed now should be able to start work in late December/early January 2013; Equipment has now been delivered for the construction of the Playground and Pavilion areas.

4. Once the playground/pavilion vendor starts they have 75 working days to complete all work

“Well-maintained parks promote community engagement and civic pride. Neighborhood parks attract and connect individuals of all ages and ethnic backgrounds who share a vision for the betterment of their surroundings. Neglected public spaces can become vital community assets when residents, civic groups, and city leaders come together. Whether transforming vacant lots to community gardens,  planning for a future park, or beautifying existing public green spaces, parks provide opportunities for people to take ownership of their community, which improves quality of life.

Parks control urban sprawl and reduce crime, creating safer communities. Research shows that there is less crime in residential areas close to parks, in part because these green spaces are frequent gathering places for community members. The result is stronger community connections that empower residents to look out for one another.

Urban Renewal

Green revitalization in a distressed area can be a beacon of change for the entire community. New or refurbished signature parks in city centers or redeveloping communities can promote social health, generate jobs, and spur economic growth. In areas where urban parks have been used as redevelopment tool, surrounding vacancy rates have dramatically dropped by as much as 40 percent. Regardless of size, these anchor parks stimulate workforce development. New and revitalized parks create construction and maintenance jobs. With the emphasis on smart growth (economic growth that seeks to avoid harming the environment and communities), parks increasingly provide a gateway to green career paths in urban and community forestry and watershed restoration.”   http://www.cityparksalliance.org

Friends of Briarwood Park will be hosting another clean-up day Saturday, Dec. 1st from 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM. Bring your tools of destruction such as pruners, clippers, saws, gloves, etc. We will continue our focus on  undergrowth in the wooded areas. This will be our 3rd work day with concentrated efforts on the undergrowth. You can really start to see some improvements. So come on out and meet your neighbors and join in with the fun !

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To promote physical activity and mental development, parks need great playgrounds. To make trails and walkways welcoming, parks need excellent horticulture. To lure tourists and other first-time visitors, parks need art, visual excitement‚ and high-quality workmanship. To make all users feel wanted, respected, safe, and oriented, parks need pleasing and effective signage. If all these elements are present, they add up to that memorable result—great design.

It may seem odd that design could be related to health, but it’s true: pleasing predictability encourages participation. If the basics are well provided, people will flock to the system and use it to the fullest.

To continue reading the full article visit :http://cityparksblog.org/2012/09/07/cities-can-have-health-promoting-park-systems-through-beauty-and-great-design/

1. Shade: Lots of shade is one of the most important aspects of a Park. Plenty of shade makes for a cooler and longer stay at the Park and helps protect the little ones from too much sun. Briarwood Park has lots of shady areas !
2. Grass:  The greener the better !  Our large corner lot offers up a large, shady grassy area that is  great for picnics.
3. Brightly colored playground equipment:  It’s coming soon. Check this site often for updates.
4. Seating: Park Benches and Picnic tables are an important aspect to the Park. They    provide parents a comfortable and shady place to sit while keeping an eye on the little ones. Again……They are on the way!
5. Cleanliness and Safety: Friends of Briarwood Park hold periodic clean up days to help with maintenance and keep undergrowth from clogging our wooded areas. Sign up in the “follow” section to keep up with our next volunteer opportunity.
6. People: The most important thing to make Briarwood Park great is YOU !                Visit often and get involved !
   

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