Rising Fawn
Rising Fawn, GA · Municipal
chattanoogapulse.com
Rome News-Tribune
Garrard Park in West Rome officially opens
The new Garrard Park in West Rome officially opened Friday, as Rome and Floyd County officials and their guests enjoyed balmy weather and blue skies for the official ribbon-cutting. The new park, which contains an oval-shaped pedal track, a central climbing structure and restrooms, cost $1.6 million, most of which was paid for with federal funds through the Northwest Georgia Housing Authority. The City of Rome contributed $160,000. “There’s a lot of West Rome pride out here today,” Floyd County Superior Court Clerk Mary Hardin Thornton said. “We all grew up here in Garden Lakes riding our bikes around.” Thornton is related to the Garrard family, after whom the park is named, and many extended family members attended the unveiling. While the restrooms and park equipment were a hit with many, the real attraction was the new pedal track, which is very different from a pump track. The pedal track is for younger bikers, with slightly banked curves, a tunnel and some obstacles for little kids. A pump track, like the one recently installed in Ridge Ferry Park, has much higher sides with steeper and more challenging obstacles. The park was initially planned for another location in West Rome; however,
Rome News-Tribune
Smith Road Christian retreat proposal hits setback, but could return in January
A proposal to build a Christian retreat and camp on Smith Road ran into a setback when the Rome-Floyd Planning Commission recommended denying a special-use permit for the project. Several Smith Road residents raised concerns during Thursday’s meeting about traffic on the narrow, winding road, emergency vehicle access, stormwater runoff and the loss of trees. A revised site plan also left residents and county reviewers without enough time to evaluate the changes. The commission recommended denial without prejudice, allowing the applicants to return with a revised request. The Floyd County Commission, which makes the final decision, is scheduled to hold a public hearing Nov. 24. The request covers property on Smith Road near Mount Alto, where applicants Yound and Susan Chang have proposed Christian educational programs, marriage and family counseling, and retreat accommodations. Planning Director Brice Wood said his office received an updated site plan only about a week before the meeting, after neighbors had been provided an older version of the proposal. “We’re not confident that it’s reasonable to expect people to come up with questions or concerns almost on the fly,” Wood said. The latest plan for Christian Mission Camp shows seven retreat buildings of about 4,225 square
takingthekids.com
WBIR
Cleanup still underway in Tennessee and Georgia after serious flooding