Updating a story we published last week:
Cobb Commissioner JoAnn Birrell said Thursday afternoon that a “reassessment” is being undertaken for proposed changes at Shaw Park that were presented to the public last month.
That delay comes after parents of girls with the Sandy Plains Softball organization expressed opposition to plans accommodating additional pickleball courts they claim will reduce softball availability.
The plans drawn up by Cobb PARKS would increase the pickleball courts from nine to 19, and keep the four softball fields that have been in use, but relocate them.
Softball parents took to social media and contacted news media to protest. In an open letter, an officer of Sandy Plains Softball claimed that “certain members of the Cobb County government [were] pandering to older voters who love pickleball. Our girls just happen to be collateral damage.”
In an interview with East Cobb News, Birrell said softball opportunities won’t be cut back, but admitted there has been “miscommunication” about the matter, which has been lingering since a town hall meeting nearly three years ago.
Birrell told us later there had been a meeting with the parties involved. In her weekly e-mail newsletter Thursday, her office said the following:
“The proposed plans for Shaw Park on display at the Feb. 26 Open House are being placed on hold so that we can reassess and revisit the overall amenities for the best use of both Sandy Plains Girls Softball as well as pickleball and any costs associated with a new plan. Thank you for your feedback and input. We appreciate your participation.”
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