Politics & Government

A Case for Parks? Sandy Springs Residents Have Mixed Feelings on the Matter

Some folks worry that parks may lower home property values. Others say Sandy Springs has enough parks.

 

Sandy Springs is a city of parks and green space. Talk of potential new parks on , and separately at the , has generated mixed feelings.

Some folks worry that parks may lower home values or attract crime. Others say Sandy Springs has enough parks.

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New York's Central Park was brought up at two Sandy Springs meetings, last week, as an example of how a park can change the landscape of a city.

"There's a reason why the most expensive real estate in Manhattan is across the street from Central Park," said City Councilman Chip Collins to Riverside Drive homeowners, last week. "Every bit of research I've seen indicates that parks only shoot home values up."

Find out what's happening in Sandy Springswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

In a 2011 Times-Picayune story, John Crompton, a Texas A&M University professor, said parks “pay for themselves many times over through increased property values and property tax revenues.”

New York City's High Line, an old freight train track turned public park, drew $2 billion from private investors which far outweighed the $115 million cost, a New York Times story said. The report also cites 12,000 new jobs in the surrounding area.

What do you think about new parks in your neighborhood?

In the attached video the parks and recreation director in a small community outside San Francisco, Calif. shows how parks have improved quality of life and increased home values.

Do you frequently visit Sandy Springs parks? Tell us in the comments.


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