COLLEGE PARK, Ga. — County leaders are moving forward with plans to develop a botanical garden in College Park, an area that has been known as one of the most dangerous cities in Georgia for years now due to their crime per capita rate.
An agreement was approved last week between Fulton County and the City of College Park to develop the garden on the county-owned Camp Truitt property at 4300 Herschel Road.
Fulton County Chairman Rob Pitts says he believes this partnership will help elevate the southern part of the county.
[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]
“Here you have a place where law-abiding citizens can come…. more people (and) more jobs have a way of reducing crime,” added Chairman Pitts.
The College Park City Council passed a resolution to provide a $5.4 million dollars towards the creation of the project which will use 32 of the 40-acre property.
College Park Ward 4 Councilman Roderick Gay, a horticulturist who has helped spearhead the project, says this is welcomed growth for a city has struggled with crime.
TRENDING STORIES:
- Today marks 20 years since deadly Fulton County Courthouse shooting rampage
- Atlanta police confirm arrest of man accused of slashing homeless tents
- Teen flips attacker during brawl over prom dress in Gwinnett, police say
“What we plan on doing reimagining the roadways, beautiful LED lights, decorative streetlamps and about two miles of trail,” said Councilman Gay.
The project is expected to be completed within three phrases, with phase one and two being completed within 17 months.
“It will not only attract thousands of visitors throughout the metro Atlanta area and across the state but because of its location to the Hartsfield Jackson International Airport it will be a destination for tourists from around the world,” added Councilman Gay.
Over the next several months, Gay said College Park will make a bid for a project manager and develop the initial plans to create the garden which will include a welcoming facility and an educational center. The councilman says the garden will mimic a traditional southern garden featuring azaleas, camellias, and magnolias.
Chairman Pitts says there are also talks of partnering with the Atlanta Botanical Garden in order to ensure the garden is a success.
“If that happens, this would be a grand slam versus a home run,” Chairman Pitts added.
[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
©2025 Cox Media Group
