Warner Robins might move forward on Wellston Park

WARNER ROBINS -- After years of delay, the city may finally be ready to move forward with development of a 35-acre park around Bay Gall Creek.

The land for the park, located off Watson Boulevard at Olympia Drive, was donated to the city in 1999 for the purpose of creating a park.

But it has sat idle and had been largely forgotten until a nonprofit group last year began pushing for the project to move forward.

Plans include a walking trail, a dog park and meeting space. Supporters already are calling it Wellston Park.

Recently members of the group, Wellston Trees and Greens, met with Mayor Randy Toms. They kept telling him, by Toms' account, about all the people who are poised to lend time and services to support the park's development.

So he told them to show him the people, and that's what they did Wednesday afternoon. A meeting at Flint Energies drew about 50 people. Representatives of several groups ranging from units at Robins Air Force Base to businesses and nonprofits pledged support for the project.

It was enough to persuade Toms that the city should move the park higher on its priority list. After a presentation, he talked about the city's other recreation priorities, including a sports complex. But he said from the support he saw at the meeting, he thinks it is time for the city to step up.

"You change the game when you come to me and say 'This is a project that's doable and we've got tons of volunteers to get it done,'" he said.

Jim Taylor, vice chairman of Wellston Trees and Greens, gave the presentation. He estimated the first phase of the park would cost $350,000. That would include the dog park, walking trail and restrooms. It also includes relocation of a donated farm house that would serve as offices and meeting space.

But with in-kind services, he estimated the actual cost to the city to be $153,000.

Toms said he thinks the city could make that happen. After the meeting, he said he expects the issue would be voted on by the council by the first meeting in March. If approved, work on the park might begin this spring.

Taylor said more than $1 million in volunteer hours and services already have been given to be used toward the park. That includes about $80,000 worth of recent clearing and the house, which is valued at $85,000.

"I think it shows that there is a lot of interest in the community to build more passive parks," Taylor said.

Just Saturday, he noted, a teen church group cleaned a ditch on the property.

To contact writer Wayne Crenshaw, call 256-9725.

This story was originally published January 27, 2016 at 6:26 PM with the headline "Warner Robins might move forward on Wellston Park ."