By unanimous vote this week, the Milton City Council permanently preserved a nearly 40-acre tract on Hopewell Road just south of the Bethany Bend and Hopewell Road Roundabout, revising its designation from a previously planned, active park to protected greenspace.

“With the support of so many, we have demonstrated Milton’s ongoing commitment to conservation and thoughtful land stewardship,” said Mayor Peyton Jamison. “This property is a winner in every respect -- environmentally rich, deeply valued by the community, and now protected forever.

“Of significant interest, it shares Cooper Sandy Creek with Providence Park and links seamlessly to it, expanding the combined greenspace into an 80-acre natural preserve."

The property was originally purchased in 2023 for $4.9 million with the intention of using it for ballfields, which would have significantly increased use. However, ongoing reevaluation of the site’s suitability, and strong community feedback, raised concerns. In response, the City relocated the active park to a location better suited for intensive recreation without compromising sensitive natural resources.

Following that decision, the City placed the Hopewell property on the market because it was already engaged in negotiations to purchase another tract for greenspace. However, City leadership never lost sight of the Hopewell location’s many attributes. So, when a deal could not be reached on the other property, opportunity was seized. Realizing the Hopewell site fulfilled all the goals of the 2016 voter-approved Greenspace Bond, the decision was made to preserve rather than sell. In short, the City will be reimbursed for its purchase with Greenspace Bond funds.

Civil Engineer Scott Reece, who is deeply familiar with Milton’s environmental landscape, praised the action.

“This commitment to preservation will benefit generations to come. Not only is it a vital part of the adjacent lake’s watershed and surrounding areas, it allows for significant control of part of Cooper Sandy Creek, a very important waterway in Milton. Development of this property would have put significant stress on sensitive ecosystems, and by extension, those in adjacent lands. You simply can’t match the biodiversity of the Hopewell property— from the creek’s vibrant floodplain to the grove of magnificent oaks on the opposite side. It’s as rich in biodiversity as I’ve seen in Milton in one 40-acre tract.”

According to City Manager Steve Krokoff, Milton has reached a major juncture in its evolution as a great community in which to live and an exciting time for its citizens.

“I am very pleased with the effort made on three fronts: to meet the need for sports at our active parks, preserving greenspace throughout the city and implementing passive use of our greenspace in many areas, and potentially more, to enjoy nature.

“We’re all looking forward to our new sports complex in Deerfield with proceeds from the Hopewell sale helping fund the buildout. The plans are exciting, and we are moving forward aggressively,” Krokoff concluded.