Dunwoody buys land from Waterford Swim and Racquet Club for park space

Dunwoody Mayor Pro-Tem Tom Lambert, Parks Director Rachel Waldron, city staff and members of the community officially open the new playground at Waterford Park

by Thom Chandler

DUNWOODY — The city of Dunwoody is getting new greenspace thanks to a partnership between the city, a neighborhood and DeKalb County.

The Dunwoody City Council approved the purchase of seven acres from the Waterford Swim and Racquet Club to create additional park space and trails.

“It was a great journey to get here,” said Dunwoody Councilman Tom Lambert, who began meeting with Waterford residents in April 2018. “This is a win-win-win. It’s in the northeast portion of the city, an area in need of greenspace and surrounded by neighborhoods.”

After the purchase of 4565 Dellrose Drive and 2371 North Peachtree Way, the Waterford pool, which has been closed for years, will be removed. Two tennis courts on site will be refurbished for public use, as will an existing gazebo. The city plans to add new bathrooms, a playground and nature trails to the park in the future.

Lambert describes the collaboration between the neighborhood and the city as crucial for developing this park. He organized several community meetings to address local concerns and finalize the terms of the sale. Once the $125,000 sale price was agreed upon, a funding source needed to be identified. Lambert contacted DeKalb County Commissioner Nancy Jester, who secured county funds for the purchase.

“I am delighted to help the City of Dunwoody with the acquisition of this new green space. I see this as a valuable use of commissioner- directed funding for the citizens of District One and the county as a whole,” said Jester.

Councilman Lambert had praise for Dunwoody Parks and Recreation Director Brent Walker. “He did a tremendous amount of work to get this across the finish line,” Lambert said during Monday night’s City Council meeting.

“The City is excited about the opportunity to add a new neighborhood park,” Walker said. “We’re planning to build a playground, small gazebo and trail network to connect surrounding neighborhoods to the park and each other.”

The two properties, which cover 7.16 acres of land, will be redeveloped using city funds.

Waterford Park Ribbon Cutting: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_BcDne9d49M

Waterford Playground Ribbon Cutting: https://youtu.be/rDs99yHdPjQ?si=46fDYH326oFFAZHJ