Tadmore Park was filled with the joyful screams of children for the first time in 12 years after it officially reopened Thursday.
County administrators, commissioners and community members gathered to cut the ribbon and celebrate its reopening. There was a large turnout, and a preschool class had the chance to test out the new playground equipment.
In addition to the new playground, Tadmore Park now has two new parking lots and new concrete paths that connect the lots to the new soccer field in the back of the park. The parks team also added a multipurpose field, new furnishings for the baseball field and two new bathrooms. Visitors can walk on a .25 mile walking trail and can also use the barbecue grills underneath the new pavilion.
The event began with words from County Administrator Jock Connell, who reflected on why the park was forced to close in 2011.
“When I first came to Hall County in 2011, it was on an interim basis,” Connell said. “And it was during the time when the economy was in a recession. Things weren't so good. And this park became victim to an economic downturn and recessionary times, and has been shut down for the last 12 years.”
The park has undergone a total transformation. District 3 Commissioner Shelly Echols and former County Assistant Administrator Marty Nix went to the once-closed park three years ago to see what condition it was in.
“We got going, we came out here hiking and Marty was knocking down spiderwebs and I was walking through them,” Echols said. “It was a mess. The parks team really got this place cleaned up and I am so proud of everything they've done here, and it's all been done for you.”
Echols became emotional as she spoke about Tadmore Park, which she has been connected to since her childhood.
“I grew up playing in this park like a lot of y'all did,” Echols said. “And to have you here today supporting this is really amazing. This park is going to help improve the quality of life for everybody around here. You have a place to come play, you have a place to come spend time with your family. And it's so important that you enjoy it, you take care of it and you use it.”
Echols said when she used to use the park, the old playground used to be down the hill in the woods. Now, the playground has been moved to the top of the hill and it overlooks the parking lot.
“It was not in a very safe place,” Echols said. “It was right by the parking lot. And so parents couldn’t let their kids go down there and play because there was all the car traffic down there. It was just not in a great spot and it was kind of in the woods too. So moving it up here by the field, by the pavilion, by the restrooms… It's really a lot safer. Parents can sit here and talk to each other but keep an eye on their kids. I see that this is going to get a lot of use.”
One parent who brought her two-year-old son to Tadmore Park’s dedication said she used to have to drive far to find a place for her son to play.
“My son is two and a half,” Lacey Cardanen said. “He has a lot of energy to burn. So we're like three minutes away from this park. So this is perfect for us to come out here and run around and have a good time.”
