Milton’s Parks and Recreation Advisory Board on Thursday will start the year by talking about several major improvement projects at City parks that are in the works.

The January 16 meeting will begin at 6 p.m. in City Hall’s Council Chambers (2006 Heritage Walk). People can attend in person or watch the meeting online at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HVD5-eFAYtI.

Commonly referred to as PRAB, this committee consists of seven individuals appointed by Milton’s Mayor and City Councilmembers. Together, they consider and share their expertise, advice, and opinions with City staff and leaders on recreational programs, relevant policies, and park facilities in Milton.

As they’ll convene for the first time in 2025, Thursday’s meeting will start with the annual exercise of PRAB officers – specifically a chairperson, vice chairperson, and secretary – to serve throughout this year.

This will be followed by a vote to approve the “minutes,” or official written record, from the board’s most recent meeting in December. Then, as is customary, members will hear committee reports to hear the latest on recreation programs such as Hopewell Baseball, Halftime Sports Basketball, and the Milton Mustangs; adult, arts, and outdoor recreation programs; and the two City-run summer camps.

PRAB members then discuss Milton’s policy for the renting of fields and facilities. The proposed updated document will incorporate some minor changes (like the addition of Milton City Park and Preserve spaces) since the policy’s last update about five years ago.

After a reminder on PRAB’s 2025 meeting schedule as well as email and attendance requirements, the committee will hear from City staff about the status of multiple park-related projects.

• DEERFIELD AREA ACTIVE PARK: This week, the City held an in-person “open house” and launched a brief online survey to get citizens’ ideas about what features should join athletic fields at a new 24.4-acre active park off Deerfield Parkway. For more about this project – including a link to the survey – go to www.miltonga.gov/DeerfieldActivePark.

   

• MILTON CITY PARK AND PRESERVE – ACTIVE AREA: PRAB will hear above movement to improve the 7-acre “active” component of Milton City Park and Preserve off Dinsmore Road. This partly grant-funded project will add two tennis courts (making for six total), reconfigure the parking lot and upgrade the lighting, and add a playground. Construction is expected to start later this year.

   

• MILTON CITY PARK AND PRESERVE – PASSIVE AREA: Work is already underway, meanwhile, in the passive portion of the same 137-acre City property. Crews are adding trails, making stormwater management upgrades, and supporting wildlife habitats in a 79-acre section that’s part of the North Woods. On Thursday, PRAB will get updates on this partly grant-funded project including an idea of what to expect over the coming months. For more details, check out: https://cleargov.com/georgia/fulton/city/milton/projects/10563/milton-city-park-and-preserve-passive-park-phase-2-gosp.

   

• LEGACY PARK: The City acquired what’s now Legacy Park, a 10-acre facility off Cox Road, in early 2020 and subsequently turfed over its two large rectangular fields. The next project is to improve Legacy’s parking including changing its surface, redirecting stormwater, and creating more spaces. This project is currently in the design phase. For more information, go to https://cleargov.com/georgia/fulton/city/milton/projects/2503/legacy-park-parking-lot-improvements.

Thursday’s final agenda item is an update on the City’s community outreach and event efforts, including a review of several successful holiday events including Christmas in Crabapple, Pancakes with Santa, and Tea Party with Mrs. Claus.

After this meeting, PRAB is next scheduled to convene on February 20.