Dunwoody City Council places $5.67 million dollar contract on 9.29 acres of land for Future Park on Vermack Road

New Vermack Park

Monday night the Dunwoody City Council placed a $5.67 million dollar contract on 9.29 acres of flat, mostly undeveloped land on Vermack Rd for review and possible purchase.  The property is half wooded and half open with an odd 50 ft wide "spite strip" that travels west separating homes in Village Mill and Heritage at Dunwoody.  After the final purchase is complete, there will be a study of the complete property, near by amenities and possible best recreational uses, plus there will be ample engagement with the community as to what is the best recreational uses for this property.  

The new property has a possible road connection that can be made between the two communities by extending Olde Village Run but guessing the traffic flow might be problematic to one or both communities.  This item will also be a topic of public engagement.  That being said, I could easily see a bike / walking path connecting the two communities together (I am told there is already a walkway there) as well as a spur path cutting east through the woods to a loop path whereby it would serve the park visitors but also serve as a bike / walking path to the Vermack Swim Tennis in one direction and Dunwoody High School in the other.  

No fast decisions will be made regarding the use or development of this property as the City already has financial obligations and promises to develop the Austin Elementary park in the the North West corner of the City, the Waterford Park in the North East corner of the City and the Perimeter Center East Park in the PCID.  I and the other members of the City Council are very proud to have been able to preserve this large amount of open space for public use, preserved a stand of old growth trees and have made a long term investment into our community.   John   P.S. here is the Sale Contract & Press Release.

Dunwoody City Council Members unanimously approved the purchase of more than nine acres on Vermack Road for additional park space.

Dunwoody, GA – April 13, 2021 – During a meeting last night, the Dunwoody Public Facilities Authority, made up of members of the Dunwoody City Council, unanimously approved the purchase of two residential parcels on Vermack Road for a future park. The combined size of the parcels, located at 4809 and 4819 Vermack Road, is 9.29 acres and includes an open field and a wooded area.

“When I heard these parcels were available, I saw the opportunity to preserve this greenspace,” said Dunwoody Mayor Lynn Deutsch. “I look forward to working with the community to create something fabulous.”

Following Monday night’s vote, the City begins 60 days of due diligence with the seller before the $5,670,000 purchase becomes final. The process includes an environmental study, appraisal and title research.

“Land of this size doesn’t come available very often in Dunwoody,” said Dunwoody City Manager Eric Linton. “This is a generational move by Council Members to support the future park needs of this community.”

The Public Facilities Authority also unanimously approved financing for the purchase using the Georgia Municipal Association’s Bricks and Mortar Installment Sale Agreement Financing Program. This lease-to-purchase financing structure is the same one used for the purchase of Dunwoody City Hall in 2016.

“We’re always looking for opportunities to chip away at Dunwoody’s land deficit for parks,” said Dunwoody Parks and Recreation Director Brent Walker. “There is a lot of potential with this property for nature trails and open play areas.”

Dunwoody’s Parks Master Plan, last updated in 2017, cited the availability of property for new parkland as a need for the city and recommended making land preservation and acquisition a priority for the City. With this acquisition, the City of Dunwoody will have more than 200 acres of park space.