Here’s concept plan for Pinnacle Park in Norcross
By Elliott Brack
Editor and Publisher, GwinnettForum
MAY 10, 2019 | First, they called in the goats. You see, the acreage that the City of Norcross had purchased on Pinnacle Way at Brook Hollow Parkway, intending to make it a park, was covered up with all types of growth and trash. The city needed the land to provide equal access to parks and green space to another area of the city, and there was little park space on the east side of town. The city figured the land would be a good spot for a park and green space for city residents’ use.
When the offices along Pinnacle Way were thriving, the 12 acre tract was a great place for workers to congregate, a place for a picnic for residents or just a spot to rest. A small lake added enjoyment. But when the recession hit, and many firms were forced to vacate the offices in the business area, the park was soon virtually empty and in disuse. Squalidness soon set in.
So came the 41 goats to the area back a couple of years ago. These goats must have been pleased when they saw the land, for dinner was waiting, since the area was heavily overgrown with vegetation. These were not ordinary goats, but were professional eaters, that is, they were owned by Get Your Goats Rentals. These pro goats even came with their own keepers, two sheep dogs, who were their protectors.
The land had been neglected for years, allowing vegetation to grow with little attention.
Enjoying a meal at Pinnacle Park
It took several weeks to satisfy the goats’ appetite. In fact, it took five weeks of crunching and munching and digesting for the goats to finish the job. Assistant City Manager Mary Beth Bender says this was less costly than other plans to clear the space. Understand, too, that using the natural talents and appetites of the goats meant that no chemicals were used to clear the property, giving the city a clean environmental impact in making the land useful.
Meanwhile, the city hired Pond and Company, an engineering firm in Peachtree Corners, to come up with a plan and design for the 12 acres of the park. Within the acreage is a connection to the Beaver Ruin Creek Greenway and the county-wide Trail System.
The newly-designed space will include a playground, fitness course circuit, octagonal grand pavilion, grills, and two picnic areas. It has restrooms, while the entire land has landscaped areas, walking trails, and nearby parking. Funds for the improvement came from the city’s portion of SPLOST taxes. Overall cost is $2 million.
The city is proud of this new amenity. Mayor Craig Newton has said of the new park: “We are ecstatic to bring to you the new Pinnacle Park. We are incredibly committed to providing more opportunities for our community to get outside and play. We look forward to seeing the residents around Brook Hollow out and about enjoying the new space.”
Ribbon cutting is scheduled for Monday, May 13 at 10 a.m. to mark the opening of the Pinnacle Park.
Come to think of it, instead of a ribbon cutting, why not bring back the goats? String the red ribbon, but forget the scissors. Open the park with a goat ribbon chewing!
Have a comment? Send to: elliott@brack.net
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