August 12, 2009: Violet Fowler Stout Park

The Board of Commissioners recently combined 137.5 acres of land in southwest Cobb purchased with 2006 park bond funds with the existing adjacent 81-acre park and renamed the entire property the "Violet Fowler Stout Park." The combined property runs along Sweetwater Creek and extends west crossing Brownsville Road. The now 218.5 acre park offers a wide variety of recreational opportunities for the residents of Cobb. In 1990, the Board of Commissioners accepted a donation from Richard A. Stout of about 81 acres of land, his home and other personal property as a part of his will. When Stout passed away in 2001, the property was transferred to the county and per Stout's request, the property was used to create the Violet Fowler Stout Park, in memory of his wife of 43 years. Stout's bequest also included annual funds dedicated to develop and maintain the park and facilities at 5420 Brownsville-Lithia Springs Road, Powder Springs, 30127.

At this point , the park is open to walkers and equestrians. A parking lot is provided. Bring your own water and please remove manure from the parking lot.

There are plans to improve and expand the trails, and a volunteer group MUST be created to help the county with this task. If you currently ride on this tract or plan to ride these trails, please contact Leah Urben (LEAHCHIRO@AOL.COM) 770.656.7463 about forming a VOLUNTEER TRAIL MAINTENANCE GROUP to work with Cobb County recreation staff. Please send me an email expressing your willingness to help. Also, please talk to other riders in the area and solicit their help. It is great to have a trail system in Cobb County, and the support of local riders will keep the park viable.