Click Clayton
For Immediate Release
September 19, 2024
Pocket Parks Plan to Provide Health & Wellness Opportunities to Clayton Residents
(Clayton County, GA) – Plans for four Pocket Parks, one in each of the County’s four districts, are underway. Each pocket park is funded by a grant obtained from the State of Georgia through the Improving Neighborhood Outcomes in Disproportionately Impacted Communities program totaling approximately $7.2 million. An additional $460,930 is funded by Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) for design. The purpose of the pocket parks is to help improve the health equity of the community by increasing the accessibility and availability of green space, while yielding more sustainable and engaging environment to a rapidly urbanizing portion of the County.
Clayton County is a federally designated healthcare professional shortage area and a designated medically underserved area, which exemplifies the critical need for the parks. While citizens will have the opportunity to exercise and enjoy the outdoors, the parks will also double as a community healthcare service location.
“The County aims to improve the overall health and wellness of our community by providing additional recreational space, coupled with health & wellness opportunities,” said Deputy Chief Operations Officer Landry Merkison. “Each pocket park will have space designated for the county’s Mobile Clinics operated through Fire & EMS that will provide free medical screenings and information on a rotating basis.”
“It is a worthy quality of life initiative for the Clayton County Board of Commissioners on behalf of their constituents, which targets a high social vulnerability index area,” said Chief Operating Officer Detrick Stanford. “We look forward to maximizing our health and wellness opportunities, giving our residents another option for accessible self-care, and improving aesthetics in the county.”
The parks will also contribute to a positive socio-ecological outcome by providing spaces for improved health and overall well-being regardless of income, race, or ability and:
- Increase community partner involvement
- Increase community health awareness
- Impact the community by reducing crime rates through an increased police presence
Designated Pocket Park Locations:
District 1 Pocket Park
Alpine Way Forest Park
Forest Park, GA 30297
District 2 Pocket Park
1740 Flat Shoals Road
Atlanta, GA 30349
District 3 Pocket Park
9177 Old Poston Rd
Jonesboro, GA 30236
District 4 Pocket Park
849 Battle Creek Rd
Jonesboro, GA 30236
For more information, access www.claytonparks.com.
Since 2004, the Clayton County SPLOST has contributed millions of dollars for capital improvements within infrastructure, public safety, buildings, technology, and overall quality of life. For more information about the County’s Progress for Pennies projects, access www.claytonsplost.com.
Media representatives should contact the Office of Communications, Communications Administrator, Valerie L. Fuller at 770.473.3834, or submit a media inquiry form: https://claytoncountyforms.claytoncountyga.gov/news-media-request/.
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