Officials: Ribbon-cutting on tap for 21-acre park in underserved area

State and federal funding intended to boost communities disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic continues to pay dividends in metro Atlanta.

The latest proof can be found at the City of Roswell’s redeveloped Liberty Square Park, which is located in an underserved U.S. Census block where nearly 3/4ths of residents qualify as either moderate or low-income, according to city officials.

Project leaders have scheduled a ribbon-cutting for the remade 21.4-acre greenspace—which was previously an open field with a single soccer goal—for Saturday, Nov. 21, followed by a communal celebration.

The park is located at 1280 Mission Hills Court, northeast of downtown Roswell near Ga. Highway 400 and North Point Mall.

City of Roswell/Roswell Connections

Liberty Square Park in the context of downtown Roswell, Alpharetta, and other north OTP landmarks. Google Maps

According to city officials, a 2022 Parks Master Plan pinpointed the area as “significantly underserved” in terms of parkland. Playgrounds, curated greenspaces, and even shaded recreation areas were in short supply.

Liberty Square Park now features upgrades including a unique playground, a community pavilion, a passive field for a variety of uses, fresh landscaping, parking upgrades, restrooms, stormwater improvements, and more.

Changes were informed by feedback gathered during a public open house.

Section of the remade Liberty Square Park along Mission Hills Court today. City of Roswell/Roswell Connections

The upgrades were made possible by a $2.2-million Georgia Improving Neighborhood Outcomes in Disproportionately Impacted Communities grant.

That’s a program, funded by the federal American Rescue Plan Act, that helps bring to fruition “public infrastructure that improves health and community outcomes in neighborhoods disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, including parks, sidewalks, playgrounds, and public gathering spaces,” per Roswell officials.

Lagniappe Development built the new park, following a bidding process and the award of a $1.7-million construction contract.

Liberty Square Park's construction kicked off early this year.

The 21.4-acre park site in question (in red), with Roswell at left and North Point Mall at top right. Google Maps