Looking back, 2019 has been a great year for Ball Ground. Rick Roberts, who has served as Ball Ground’s mayor for more than 28 years, has seen our community blossom into a thriving downtown. And, according to Mayor Roberts, two of the projects completed this year will have a lasting impact on the city.The Roberts Lake Project, a pristine property once home to a dam on Long Swamp Creek, was Ball Ground’s first source of power in the 1920s. Though it served the people well as a power source, this property will now serve the community as a place of recreation for many years to come. An initial pathway has been cleared, and footbridges are being constructed and put into place, making the area more easily accessible to hikers. The goal is to open the park to the public in July 2020.
The Valley Street Streetscape Project initially began in 2010. After much anticipation, the City was awarded a $560,000 Transportation Enhancement (TE) grant in September 2011 to construct 0.08 miles of sidewalks. The City contributed $240,000, making this an $800,000 project. The sidewalk construction completes a vital link, connecting Valley Street to the downtown area. It is user-friendly for pedestrians, joggers, and other people exercising. The sidewalk also allows the Ball Ground STEM Academy to be fully pedestrian-connected to downtown as well to some local residential developments.
In 2007, the City adopted a Master Plan with the assistance of Lew Oliver, an urban planner. The Master Plan identified four major infrastructure projects: Valley Street, a new Ball Ground Elementary School, pedestrian connections along Valley Street, and a Valley Street Linear Park along Ball Ground Creek. With the completion of the Valley Streetscapes Project, three out of four of these projects have been completed. Now, on to making the Linear Park a reality.
The project along Valley Street is the beginning of providing another area where people enjoy spending time, which will eventually encourage companies to expand the downtown business district into the Valley Street corridor — all of which is now pedestrian connected.
Once a sleepy small town, Ball Ground is now bustling with new businesses and quality developments. Mayor Roberts, City Council members, and staff are always striving to meet the needs of the people while maintaining the city’s charm.
People move to Ball Ground to get away from big city life, and it’s a wonderful place to live and raise a family. Visit soon! Spend a relaxing afternoon in downtown, and then take a walk down Valley Street on over to Calvin Farmer Park. You will likely agree that “Ball Ground Is the Place To Be.”
On behalf of the City of Ball Ground, have a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
to your business!