Managing Editor

Thomaston Mayor Hays Arnold Friday released this artist's rendition of what is envisioned as the Greatest Generation Park, to be built on U.S. 19 North, adjacent to the city's reservoir.

A group known as Community Enterprises has donated $20,000 to pay for plans to be drawn.

The drawing is part of a master plan drawn by the Norcross-based Jordon, Jones & Goulding, a landscape architect firm.

Arnold said the plans are "preliminary" at this point, and have yet to receive formal approval of the City Council.

City officials hope to build the park on roughly 30 acres of land known as the "Pine Thicket."

The plan features three new parking areas and walking trails which traverse the entire area, circling the city's two ponds. The park plans also include a playground and tennis courts.

City officials have also said they plan to install a fountain in one of the reservoirs which will shoot water more than 90 feet in the air.

"This is going to be a natural, passive park," the mayor said. "It could become a real tourist attraction."

Arnold suggested the Greatest Generation Park could be a place where festivals and activities are held. He said perhaps the park could be decorated with lights at Christmastime to complement the nearby Christmas Lane.

City Council members voted recently to consider funding the park through the sale of city-owned timber, but said no city money has yet been committed for the project.

"There have been no city funds spent on this project," the mayor said. "There has also been no final dollar amount regarding the costs of the project."

City officials say they hope to generate between $2 million and $2.5 million through the sale of timber.

"This park would be a boon to the City of Thomaston," Arnold said. "It's that plain and simple."

Councilman Ed Bell said construction of the park will be a economic boon to the city.

"Pretty soon, U.S. 19 will be four-laned from its intersection with Ga. 20 through Thomaston to the Florida line," Bell said. "This will take a lot of the traffic off of I-75, bringing people through Thomaston where they will be spending money."

Bell said he believes U.S. 19, once completed, will be a popular route among motorists because of the city's proximity to Warm Springs and also Andersonville, where a new POW museum has been built.

"This park is truly going to be an asset for Thomaston," Bell said.Park