Dunwoody approves land purchase for future park

Dunwoody City Council Members unanimously approved the purchase of more than nine acres on Vermack Road for additional park space.

Dunwoody, GA – April 13, 2021 – During a meeting last night, the Dunwoody Public Facilities Authority, made up of members of the Dunwoody City Council, unanimously approved the purchase of two residential parcels on Vermack Road for a future park. The combined size of the parcels, located at 4809 and 4819 Vermack Road, is 9.29 acres and includes an open field and a wooded area.

 

“When I heard these parcels were available, I saw the opportunity to preserve this greenspace,” said Dunwoody Mayor Lynn Deutsch. “I look forward to working with the community to create something fabulous.”

Following Monday night’s vote, the City begins 60 days of due diligence with the seller before the $5,670,000 purchase becomes final. The process includes an environmental study, appraisal and title research.

 

“Land of this size doesn’t come available very often in Dunwoody,” said Dunwoody City Manager Eric Linton. “This is a generational move by Council Members to support the future park needs of this community.”

 

The Public Facilities Authority also unanimously approved financing for the purchase using the Georgia Municipal Association’s Bricks and Mortar Installment Sale Agreement Financing Program. This lease-to-purchase financing structure is the same one used for the purchase of Dunwoody City Hall in 2016.

 

“We’re always looking for opportunities to chip away at Dunwoody’s land deficit for parks,” said Dunwoody Parks and Recreation Director Brent Walker. “There is a lot of potential with this property for nature trails and open play areas.”

 

Dunwoody’s Parks Master Plan, last updated in 2017, cited the availability of property for new parkland as a need for the city and recommended making land preservation and acquisition a priority for the City. With this acquisition, the City of Dunwoody will have more than 200 acres of park space.

 

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Jennifer Boettcher

Communications Director

City of Dunwoody

4800 Ashford Dunwoody Road

Dunwoody, Georgia 30338

C 470-352-2959

jennifer.boettcher@dunwoodyga.gov