Butler Park, a highly anticipated project on Athens Street in Gainesville, is slated to open to the public on Thursday, Dec. 15 at 4 p.m.
Hall County will host a ribbon cutting ceremony for the long-awaited park, 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 (1290 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,” said District 4 Commissioner Jeff Stowe, in whose district the park sits. “We’ve had a lot of input and support from the community and we are excited to finally open the park for use.”
The new 13-acre park boasts brand new playground equipment and restrooms, a basketball court, a walking trail, a multi-use field, and a pavilion with picnic tables and grills. The park will have a children’s water play feature available for use in the spring of 2023.
Residents can also admire the recently completed 120-ft 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,” said Becky Ruffner, Hall County Parks & Leisure marketing and public relations specialist. “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.”
Hall County Government is excited to extend an open invitation to the public to attend the ribbon cutting for this historic occasion.