Milton’s Parks and Recreation Advisory Board meets Thursday to discuss what the City should do after a program ends – specifically providing camp after care or assessing fees for late pick-ups – as well as get updates on key park projects.

The December 19 meeting will begin at noon – not 6 p.m., as is more often the case -- in City Hall’s Council Chambers. People can attend in-person or watch online at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R8KW_4YZaWA.

Commonly referred to as PRAB, the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board is made up of seven members appointed by Milton’s Mayor and Councilmembers. Together, they share their insights, opinions, and expertise with City staff and leaders on Milton parks, facilities, events, recreational activities, as well as related policies and other matters.

Each PRAB meeting traditionally begins in earnest with “Committee Reports,” and Thursday’s edition will be no different. Committee members will hear updates on Milton-affiliated athletic, art, adult, outdoor recreation, and other programs.

The first “New Business” topic relates to PRAB itself – whether or not this committee will continue to “adopt” the Wolff Trail at Lakhapani Preserve. Milton’s Adopt-a-Trail program began earlier this year to give individuals, families, and groups the opportunity to take ownership of the cleanliness and condition of natural trails around the city. For more information, go to www.miltonga.gov/AdoptATrail.

After discussing its meeting calendar for 2025, the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board will roll into a review and discussion of a new staff-proposed policy – and related fees – for those who pick-up their children late from Milton-affiliated programs.

This will be followed by consideration of whether the City should offer some sort of “after care” option for those attending Camp Compass (the City’s summer day camp) or Camp Joyful Soles (for special needs individuals between 13- and 22-years-old) – and, if so, what format it should take in terms of costs, hours, and more.

Different City of Milton team members then will brief PRAB on a range of topics, specifically:

• Reconfiguring – and, in so doing, adding spaces to – the parking lot at Legacy Park, the athletic facility along Cox Road near the Arnold Mill Road/State Route 140 intersection. (You can get more details on this project at https://cleargov.com/georgia/fulton/city/milton/projects/2503/legacy-park-parking-lot-improvements.)
• What’s happening and what will happen Milton City Park and Preserve. Currently, workers are in the process of making natural habitat enhancements, stormwater improvements, and trail additions to the City property’s passive component. (For more on that, click HERE: https://cleargov.com/georgia/fulton/city/milton/projects/10563/milton-city-park-and-preserve-passive-park-phase-2-gosp.) Meanwhile, planning continues for a significant project in the “active” portion that ultimately will add two more tennis, redo the parking lot, and add a playground.
• The Deerfield Implementation Plan, a dynamic and multi-faceted initiative to create a community-driven, sustainable, unique vision for part of southeastern Milton that includes areas in and around Highway 9, Deerfield Parkway, Morris Road, and Windward Parkway. Special Projects Director Bob Buscemi will lead Thursday’s discussion, though people also can learn more about this important project anytime at www.miltonga.gov/Deerfield.
• An update on plans to create a new active park on more than 24 acres of recently acquired land along Deerfield Parkway.
• A debrief Community Outreach efforts, led by Emily Salerno, including recaps of two successful Christmas-themed events and a preview of the first-ever Tea Party with Mrs. Claus coming up next Monday.