Hyde Farm

Commissioners approve funding for new Cobb parks master plans

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Cobb parks master plans, Ebenezer Road

After a delay, Cobb commissioners last week voted to approve spending more than $89,000 for Cobb parks master plans for newly acquired green space.

That includes more than 18 acres of land on Ebenezer Road near Canton Road that’s slated to become a passive park (above), and that was open to the public this summer at a special preview event.

BIOME Projects, a Decatur landscape architecture firm, will receive around $14,300 to develop a master plan for the Ebenezer Road park, with funding for the construction of the park to come at a later time.

The land, formerly owned by the Strother family, features a lake that may allow for recreational fishing activities.

Commissioners have spent more than $27 million over the last year to purchase nearly 500 acres across the county with funds allocated in the 2008 parks bond referendum.

The only other land bought in East Cobb was part of the Tritt property next to East Cobb Park, which is being left as green space for now and so there is no master plan in the works.

The commissioners vote was 4-1, with Bob Ott opposed. He represents part of East Cobb and Smyrna-Vinings and said there are two parks in his District 2 now that aren’t open because there’s not funding for their maintenance.

“How are we going to pay for the parks we have as we build new parks?” he asked.

Commissioner JoAnn Birrell of Northeast Cobb pointed to Mabry Park, that’s being built on Wesley Chapel Road in what used to be her district (and is now in Ott’s).

It’s a decade since the county bought the land, part of the former Mabry family farm, and it sat undeveloped during the recession. A master plan was developed in 2011, and construction was finally approved last fall.

“We have to have a plan and guidance,” she said. “I support this.”

Also last week, commissioners approved a measure to spend $19,590 to replace a metal roof on the historic Hyde Farm house on East Cobb.

Cobb parks director Jimmy Gisi said the roof has been leaking and the replacement look to match other structures on the property, located off Lower Roswell Road.

The funding comes from the 2011 Cobb parks SPLOST account.

 

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Post Oak Tritt-Hembree Road roundabout project approved

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Post Oak Tritt-Hembree Road roundabut

The Cobb Board of Commissioners on Tuesday approved a $1.3 million contract to construct a roundabout at Post Oak Tritt Road and Hembree Road.

The low bid amount (among eight proposals) was submitted by Glosson Enterprises and the funding comes from the 2016 Cobb government SPLOST.

The commissioners also voted to proceed with condemnation proceedings involving one property owner on Post Oak Tritt Road to obtain right-of-way for the roundabout project while negotiations continue with that resident.

In addition to the roundabout, the project includes enhanced street lighting and sidewalk ramp upgrades, required under the Americans with Disabilities Act. The intersection currently has only one stop sign, at Hembree Road.

Completion of the roundabout project is expected by July 2019, according to Cobb DOT.

Also on Tuesday, commissioners approved spending $197,990 for design and construction administration work for a new building on the Hyde Farm facility on Lower Roswell Road.

Southern A & E, LLC will design the multi-level building that will support continuing agricultural operations, house farm vehicles and help facilitate the use of farm equipment on the 135-acre property, which is being preserved as an educational and recreational resource for the public.

The contract is “one step closer to the idea for Hyde Farm,” District 2 commissioner Bob Ott said before the 5-0 board vote.

The Cobb Master Gardeners recently planted a community garden at Hyde Farm, which is located at the end of Hyde Road.

The commissioners also voted to spend $191,726 in “closeout” funding for the finishing touches on the Sewell Mill Library and Cultural Center, which opened in December.

The additional money, which comes from the 2016 SPLOST, will be used for rock removal, expanded security, furnishing, signage and acoustical work.

 

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Community Garden planned at East Cobb’s Hyde Farm

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Hyde Farm

From Cobb County Government:

The Hyde brothers were the last in a long line of family farmers in what was rural East Cobb County. The Hyde property, located at the end of the road named for them, Hyde Road, runs off Lower Roswell Road. It is now owned by Cobb County government who have allocated a piece of land and have partnered with the Cobb Master Gardeners to create the brand new Hyde Farm Community Garden. The space is completely fenced with irrigation available and will be comprised of 40 garden plots measuring 4 ft. by 8 ft. each.

“It will be a fantastic space for our community! We believe community gardens really connect people to their food, their land and each other,” says Master Gardener Randy Threatte.

Plots will be filled with excellent planting soil from SuperSo Soil3 and will be ready for planting winter crops and herbs around Thanksgiving. Plots are available to rent at a cost of $50/year for a 12-month growing season from March 1 through February 28. The first gardeners renting will get an added advantage of an additional free 3 months as the first rental year will run from November 2017 through February 2019. Two handicap accessible raised beds are available as well as two beds with priority to veterans. Reservations may be made on a first come first serve basis by contacting Master Gardener Randy Threatte at 404-431-3112 or threatte@bellsouth.net. Educational gardening and seed starting classes will also be held at the property – free and open to the public.

Starting to feel a little like fall—or an Indian summer—in East Cobb

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Hyde Farm
The pond at Hyde Farm. (East Cobb News photo by Wendy Parker)

Labor Day has come and gone, and with it perhaps the worst of the summer heat. Although Labor Day in East Cobb was hot—temperatures ranged in the high 80s, and if you were at the Holy Smoke Festival yesterday as were (photos here), sitting out in the sun wasn’t a good idea for too long of a spell. An Indian Summer in East Cobb? We’ll take it.

Yet the forecast for this week in East Cobb and metro Atlanta calls for moderate temperatures—only surpassing the 80-degree mark a couple of times—and even milder humidity levels. East Cobb News weather widget

In fact, today, Tuesday, figures to be the hottest and most humid day of the week, with temperatures in the low 80s and humidity around 60 percent.

After that, high temperatures should stay in the 70s, for the most part, and the mugginess also is expected to decrease. Low temperatures will drop into the 50s at night, and sunny skies are forecast through the weekend.

By the way, if you ever want a quick check of the current weather conditions, and a glimpse of what to expect over the next few days, check out the weather widget on the top left rail on East Cobb News.

It gives you the temperature, humidity and wind levels, and a mini-five-day forecast. Keep in mind that those long-term temperature forecasts are always subject to change.

Have a great week East Cobb, and enjoy what’s shaping up to be some fantastic weather!