The future of the Wills Park Equestrian Center is coming into focus now that the Alpharetta City Council has approved conceptual master plans for expansion and improvement of the beloved facility. The plans adopted by the City on December 3 add an additional performance ring, expand the existing rings, replace and increase the number of barn stalls, improve parking, and add more community space to the area.
According to Morgan Rodgers, Alpharetta’s Director of Recreation, Parks, and Cultural Services, the plans were developed over several months through public meetings, on-site interviews, focus groups, and online surveys to ensure that plans would be reflective of the wants and needs of Alpharetta residents and park visitors.
The next steps in the process will be to prioritize the improvements and new additions so that a phasing plan can be identified. The City will then secure construction cost estimates in preparation for implementing the plan using a combination of public and private funds.
“The Wills Park Equestrian Center is a great park amenity, but we also recognize that the facility is a regional draw that has positive economic impacts on businesses and organizations throughout Alpharetta and surrounding communities,” stated Alpharetta Council Member Jason Binder. “We look forward to working in cooperation with those partners to bring this project to fruition so that the Equestrian Center continues to be a draw.”
According to Binder, a group of equestrian enthusiasts has already formed the Wills Park Equestrian Foundation for the purpose of organizing volunteers and assisting in the funding. Based upon that group’s plans, the City Council has already earmarked up to $250,000 to match dollar-for-dollar funds raised by the organization for purposes of helping to fund the projects.
“This is a great day for Alpharetta and the Wills Park Equestrian Center,” Binder said, “and there is more good news to come.”
To view the plan concepts, please visit https://bit.ly/2Ui2prb.