The Marietta City Council met April 2 and discussed the goals and objectives of a draft master plan to improve the Marietta parks system for generations to come based on citizen input.

Citizens completed surveys by telephone and online in the spring of 2007 and participated in public input meetings to gauge their interest in, knowledge of, and desires for Marietta's parks system.

Survey findings

• Almost one-half, 49 percent, of respondents think the city should provide more recreational facilities in the areas where they live.
• Almost one-half of all respondents have used a city park or recreational facility in the past year. A significant percentage of all respondents have also used facilities offered by other entities, including Cobb County, the state and federal governments, as well as privately-owned facilities.
• A majority of respondents who have lived in Marietta for at least five years believe there has been improvement in the city's facilities in the past five years.
• Over one-half, 55 percent, of respondents indicated the physical facilities at these parks are either excellent (18 percent) or very good (37 percent). Almost one-in-five, 19 percent, believe current facilities are much better now than compared to five years ago, while 39 percent say current facilities are a little better.

Citizen recommendations

Hearing from residents about their wishes for Marietta's parks was important to the city, which held community meetings to receive their feedback. During that public input process, citizens requested improved lighting, more greenspace, clean parks, more playground equipment for small children and more walking and bike trails.

Next steps

• City Council will continue to meet to talk about the master plan
• City staff will bring specific needs for individual parks and future land needs to Council for discussion
• Council will consider the next ten years' worth of funding for Marietta's parks system

The parks master plan is just one aspect of Marietta City Council's vision, which encourages revitalization of current parks and establishes new parks for active and passive uses.

For more information, call Marietta's Parks and Recreation Department at 770-794-5601.