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Community Corner

Making Memories in the Park

With spring in the air, take some time to enjoy the outdoors in our city's parks.

As my thoughts turn to warmer weather, I am reminded of the abundant recreational areas Kennesaw has to offer and the memories to be made there.    

Spring is showing all the signs of glory. Many of our trees are in full bloom and the daffodils have emerged from their slumber. Time to enjoy the park.

My family and I have had many occasions to take advantage of our city’s wonderful parks and recreational facilities while enjoying Kennesaw in springtime. Among the memories include Easter egg hunts, ball games, picnics, social gatherings, scout events, family celebrations and the list continues.    

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The Kennesaw Parks and Recreation Department maintains about 130 acres of parks and green spaces around the city for our recreational use, and I’m sure we’ve taken advantage of every part and parcel.    

Our two community parks, and , hold fond family memories and some yet to be created.   

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Adams Park has grown from its humble beginnings in my recollection to 33 acres packed full of recreational opportunities that are both active and passive. In addition to the baseball and softball fields, Adams Park has two lighted tennis courts, indoor/outdoor batting cages, and a scout hut that we have made good use of. It also has playgrounds, picnic pavilions, and a 3000-foot paved trail that my youngest could peddle his scooter on until his feet turned blue.  

I can’t begin to count the walks to and from the park on warm spring evenings and remembering the way the air smelled just before sunset.

I have no idea how many jars of peanut butter I have gone through spreading up sandwiches for a picnic while grabbing a frisbee and a blanket on the way out the door for an afternoon of family fun.  

I never knew the time I spent with other moms at the park while watching my children on the playground would blossom into lasting friendships.

When I was at the park the other day, I observed two brothers playing on the swings while their mother sat nearby with her book. I couldn’t help being swept back to the time when my sons were their ages and played on the very same swing set. I wondered where those years had gone.

How quickly the time passes, and I have to ask myself how many times I will blink before my children no longer want to spend time at the park with me.

In most recent years, we have enjoyed the city’s newest and largest community park, Swift-Cantrell, which boasts 42 acres. It seems like only yesterday the land was a big open space with no intentional purpose.

My kids and I used to drive past the open field everyday, never imagining the land would be transformed into a bustling playground of happy families flying kites and riding skateboards.

This is a classic example of if you build it, they will come.

Some of my favorite green spaces are the small urban parks tucked away in quiet nooks of the city just waiting to be explored. My family has enjoyed hours of fun making great use of the many barbecue grills, picnic areas and play equipment these parks have to offer.  

Some of these neighborhood parks are home to interesting wildlife. Some have unique characteristics like log stumps that look like trolls or creeks with sunlight dancing on the water over moss-covered rocks.

Indeed, I hope my children have great memories growing up in Kennesaw visiting our community’s parks, just as I treasure the memories of taking them there.

Consider spending some time outdoors with your children at the park today before you have to blink again. Don’t forget your frisbee and blanket on your way out the door.  

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