The highly anticipated opening of Butler Park on Athens Street in Gainesville is slated to open Thursday, December 15 at 4 p.m.
To mark the occasion, Hall County will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the above time to officially open the park to the public, which will include cupcakes, beverages, and comments from community leaders in the new park pavilion off of Athens Street behind the Hall County Health Department (1370 Athens Street).
“It took a long time for all the pieces to come together, from applying for and waiting for approval for funding, construction and supply chain delays—it’s taken a lot of patience and dedication to see a project of this magnitude come to fruition,” District 4 Commissioner Jeff Stowe, in whose district the park sits, said. “We’ve had a lot of input and support from the community and we are excited to finally open the park for use.”
The 13– acre park includes brand-new playground equipment and restrooms, a basketball court, a walking trail, a multi-use field and a pavilion. The park will also have a children’s water play feature available for use in the spring of 2023.
Park visitors will also be able to admire a newly completed mural depicting several historical figures of the local African-American community along the entrance of the new park. Eagle Scout Ashton Dziengue of Boy Scout Troop 15 in Gainesville raised the funds and enlisted the help of several area artists, as well as close to 60 community volunteers to execute his vision of the historic mural.
“Butler Park is really a beautiful example of what can be accomplished when citizens and local government work together,” Becky Ruffner, Hall County Parks & Leisure marketing and public relations specialist said. “Parks add so much value to the communities they serve. This area of Hall County is rich with vibrant history, so this park, because of its community, has become more than just a park. It’s become a tribute to that community.”
In a press release, Hall County said it is welcoming the community to attend the ribbon cutting of the new park.
