Milton's parks and greenspace, by the money

Milton's largest park, about 207 acres of trails in the northwest corner. On Oct. 5, 2026, the council approved a conservation easement to keep 185 acres undeveloped for good. The recorded deed has not been found yet.

• City says City's use label: Passive Park City of Milton GIS, Points of Interest layer (FacilityType)
• Record County land inside the park: One 39.2-acre parcel inside the park is titled to Fulton County, not the city. Fulton County 2026 tax parcels
• Record Trail grant: Picked in March 2026 for a $200,000 federal Recreational Trails Program grant for a restroom and trail work. No signed agreement found yet. Georgia DNR trails grant list, 2025-2026
• City says How the city got it: Fulton County planned the park in 2005, before Milton existed. A city release says it “has been part of Milton since our incorporation.” The deed that moved it to the city has not been found. City news release, Oct. 6, 2026
• City says Open: Nine natural-surface trails shared by hikers, bikers and riders. City facility page, Birmingham Park
• Record A county parcel in the easement: The easement deed says the city is “the sole owner in fee simple,” but its parcel list includes 22 389003050367, which the tax roll has listed under Fulton County since a 2019 to 2021 split. Easement deed, Oct. 5, 2026 council agenda

Strings attached

• Record Conservation easement: Council approved a permanent conservation easement held by the Georgia-Alabama Land Trust on 185.08 acres, Oct. 5, 2026. The land is to stay “predominantly in its open space, forested, watershed, scenic, wildlife habitat” condition. Hiking, biking and riding stay; the city may add natural-surface trails, restrooms, parking and shelters. The city paid the trust $20,000. Recording not yet found. Easement deed, Oct. 5, 2026 council agenda
• Record Trail grant rule: Trails paid for by the program must stay open to the public for at least 25 years after the last payment. Georgia RTP manual, 2021
• Record What the easement bars: Athletic fields and an ATV facility are barred, and the land may not be divided. About 22 acres around Fire Station 43 and the Public Works yard are outside the easement. Easement deed, Oct. 5, 2026 council agenda
• Record Older state grant limits: A 2025 survey proposal says three parcels “have deed restrictions from DNR grant.” Which grant, and what the restrictions say, has not been found. Survey proposal, May 19, 2025 council agenda

The former Milton Country Club. Bond money bought the 130 passive acres; two state and federal grants are paying for trails and the 7-acre active area.

• City says City's use label: Passive Park and Active Park City of Milton GIS, Points of Interest layer (FacilityType)
• City says Bond map: Shown on the city's map of greenspace bond properties City of Milton GIS, Greenspace Bond Properties layer
• Record Federal grant: $500,000 Land and Water Conservation Fund grant, project 13-01088, for the 7-acre active area. Council accepted it Sept. 16, 2024; the deadline moved to Aug. 31, 2027. Council packet, Sept. 16, 2024
• Record State grant: $1.5 million Georgia Outdoor Stewardship grant, picked Feb. 24, 2023, for about 1.25 miles of trail, a bridge, a boardwalk and habitat work on the 130 passive acres. Georgia DNR grant announcement
• City says Bond purchase: 130 acres (the passive part) for $4,500,000, January 2018. City of Milton greenspace bond page
• News report Whole purchase: Appen reported a $5 million price for the whole club. The source of the money for the active part has not been found. Appen Media, Jan. 2018
• City says Open: A 2.5-mile loop in the passive part has been open since April 2022. City parks are open sunrise to sunset. City facility page, Milton City Park and Preserve

Strings attached

• Record Federal grant rule: Land helped by a federal Land and Water Conservation Fund grant must stay in public outdoor recreation use unless the National Park Service approves a swap for land of equal value. The rule has no end date. The grant's boundary map has not been found, so how much of the park it covers is not confirmed. 54 U.S.C. 200305(f)(3)
• City says City's promise: The city says the 130 passive acres “cannot be developed or accommodate traditional recreational programs.” No deed or easement saying so has been found. City facility page, Milton City Park and Preserve

The former Wolff property on Lackey Road, bought with bond money. The part east of Lackey Road is open; the part west of it is closed.

• City says City's use label: Passive Park City of Milton GIS, Points of Interest layer (FacilityType)
• City says Bond map: Shown on the city's map of greenspace bond properties City of Milton GIS, Greenspace Bond Properties layer
• City says Bond purchase: 106.0 acres for $3,710,000, December 2018. City of Milton greenspace bond page
• City says Open to the public?: The part east of Lackey Road is open, with a 1.5-mile trail and a gravel lot. The part west of Lackey Road is closed. City Greenprint sheet, Lahkapani

Strings attached

• Not confirmed Deed limits: No conservation easement, deed restriction or grant condition found on this land.

Two bond purchases around Eads Lake at Bethany and Providence roads. Not open to the public as of the last report.

• City says City's use label: Passive Park City of Milton GIS, Points of Interest layer (FacilityType)
• City says Bond map: Shown on the city's map of greenspace bond properties City of Milton GIS, Greenspace Bond Properties layer
• City says Bond purchases: 88 acres at Bethany and Providence roads for $5,720,000 (June 2019), and 15.8 acres at 13502 Providence Road for $1,145,137.50 (May 2020). City of Milton greenspace bond page
• News report Use: The AJC reported the city then owned “both sides of Eads Lake for passive use.” AJC, May 2020
• News report Open to the public?: No, as of November 2023, when the city estimated $156,000 to open it. No newer record found. Appen Media, Nov. 2023

Strings attached

• Not confirmed Deed limits: No conservation easement, deed restriction or grant condition found on this land.

A former Fulton County park around a lake, bought from the county in 2015 for $4,200. Federal and state grants paid for the pier and trails.

• City says City's use label: Passive Park City of Milton GIS, Points of Interest layer (FacilityType)
• News report How the city got it: Fulton County sold the park to Milton on June 2, 2015 for $4,200, a sum set by state law. AJC, June 3, 2015
• Record Acres: News reports say 42 acres; the 2026 tax roll lists the city's parcel at 40. Fulton County 2026 tax parcels
• City says Federal grant: A $100,000 Land and Water Conservation Fund grant paid for nearly half of the fishing pier, the city says. Some news reports tie a $100,000 grant to the restrooms instead. City news release, Providence Park pier
• City says Use: “No official recreational programs take place inside Providence Park.” City facility page, Providence Park
• City says Open: Reopened Nov. 23, 2021 after pier and trail work. The city owns only part of the lake. City news release, Nov. 2021

Strings attached

• Record Federal grant rule: Land helped by a federal Land and Water Conservation Fund grant must stay in public outdoor recreation use unless the National Park Service approves a swap for land of equal value. The rule has no end date. How much of the park the grant covers is not confirmed. 54 U.S.C. 200305(f)(3)

Bought in 2023 with other city money for an active sports park, nearly sold in 2025, then moved into the greenspace bond program.

• Record Purchases: The city bought 34.40 acres for $3.5 million (Feb. 28, 2023) and 4.86 acres for $1.4 million (April 24, 2023) with capital projects and impact fee money, to build active park space. Draft resolution, July 21, 2025 Council agenda
• Record Switched to the bond: After a May 19, 2025 vote to preserve the land, a July 21, 2025 resolution moves $4.9 million from the greenspace bond fund to the capital projects fund and puts the land 'under the protections of the City's Greenspace Bond Program.' The copy found is an unsigned draft. Draft resolution, July 21, 2025 Council agenda
• City says Almost sold: In January 2025 the council ordered a sealed-bid sale with a $5.159 million reserve price. City news release, Jan. 2025
• Record The vote to keep it: On May 19, 2025 the council voted 6-0 to end the sale and secure the land under the bond program. Council minutes, May 19, 2025
• City says On the bond list: The city's bond page now lists Hopewell, 39 acres for $4,900,000. City of Milton greenspace bond page
• City says What is there: A former school, two houses, a riding ring and a barn. City Greenprint sheet, Hopewell

Strings attached

• Record Bond protection: The resolution says only that the land is secured “under the protections of the City's Greenspace Bond Program.” No deed restriction or easement was found, and a later council could change course. Council packet, July 21, 2025

Milton's main ball-field park. The original park came from Fulton County; the city bought 14 more acres in 2012 and rebuilt it.

• City says City's use label: Active Park City of Milton GIS, Points of Interest layer (FacilityType)
• Not confirmed Original park: The city took ownership of the original 17.75-acre park from Fulton County in December 2006. Hopewell Youth Association
• News report Expansion: The city closed on the last of 14 added acres in 2012, paying $1.287 million in all. AJC, Oct. 16, 2012
• News report Money: The land came from the city's parks acquisition budget; a $10 million city revenue bond (2014) helped pay for the rebuild. Not the greenspace bond. Patch, July 31, 2014
• City says Use and hours: Four baseball fields and two turf fields; open dawn until 10:30 p.m. City facility page, Bell Memorial Park

About 26 acres off Hamby Road bought with bond money in 2019. Not open to the public as of the last report.

• City says City's use label: Passive Park City of Milton GIS, Points of Interest layer (FacilityType)
• City says Bond map: Shown on the city's map of greenspace bond properties City of Milton GIS, Greenspace Bond Properties layer
• City says Bond purchase: 28.20 acres for $1,050,000, July 2019. The 2026 tax roll lists 26.46 acres. City of Milton greenspace bond page
• News report Open to the public?: No, as of November 2023, when the city estimated $60,000 to open it. No newer record found. Appen Media, Nov. 2023

Strings attached

• Not confirmed Deed limits: No conservation easement, deed restriction or grant condition found on this land.

About 24 acres off Deerfield Parkway bought in 2024 for a future active park.

• Record Purchase: Council approved buying 300 Deerfield Parkway, 21.37 acres, for $8,000,000 on April 22, 2024, “to support the City's current and future active park needs.” Council agenda memo, April 22, 2024
• Record Second purchase: 3.05 acres for $750,000, approved Nov. 4, 2024; the memo says active-park land can be paid 100% from impact fees. Council agenda memo, Nov. 4, 2024
• City says What's next: The city has applied for a federal Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership grant of up to $15 million and proposed buying 51 more acres at Verizon Place. City news release, Sept. 2026

The former Belmont Farms, bought with bond money. Open to walkers, leashed dogs and horses.

• City says City's use label: Passive Park City of Milton GIS, Points of Interest layer (FacilityType)
• City says Bond map: Shown on the city's map of greenspace bond properties City of Milton GIS, Greenspace Bond Properties layer
• City says Bond purchase: Belmont Farms, 21.08 acres for $1,400,000, April 2019. City of Milton greenspace bond page
• City says Open: “People are welcome to use it, as are leashed dogs as well as horses being led and/or ridden.” City facility page, Freemanville-Birmingham

Strings attached

• Not confirmed Deed limits: No conservation easement, deed restriction or grant condition found on this land.

About 12 acres Milton and Alpharetta bought together in 2017. Both cities must agree on what happens to it.

• News report Purchase: The two cities split the $1.5 million cost. Appen reported the money did not come from Milton's greenspace bond. Appen Media, Aug. 8, 2017
• Record Shared title: Two of the three parcels are titled to both cities; the third to Milton alone. Fulton County 2026 tax parcels
• City says Who decides: “Both cities must agree on how this property is utilized.” City news release, March 7, 2023

Twelve acres next to the City Park and Preserve, bought with bond money for a southern entrance.

• City says Bond map: Shown on the city's map of greenspace bond properties City of Milton GIS, Greenspace Bond Properties layer
• City says Bond purchase: 14620 Freemanville Road, 12.0 acres for $1,250,000, November 2019. City of Milton greenspace bond page

Strings attached

• Not confirmed Deed limits: No conservation easement, deed restriction or grant condition found on this land.

About 10.5 acres the city bought in 2024 “for current and future City needs.” The city has not said what the land will be.

• City says Purchase: Council approved buying two parcels for $1,750,000 on April 8, 2024. The money source has not been found. City news release, April 2024

A former private soccer complex on Cox Road, bought in 2020 mostly with park impact fees.

• City says City's use label: Active Park City of Milton GIS, Points of Interest layer (FacilityType)
• City says Purchase: Bought from United Athletics Inc. in January 2020; the council approved a $1.5 million contract in October 2019. City news release, 2020
• News report Money: About two-thirds from park impact fees, the rest from the parks and trails capital fund. Appen Media, Oct. 2019
• City says Use: Two full-size turf fields and a half-size field. City facility page, Legacy Park

Three lots bought in 2022 for a planned active park. How they were paid for has not been found.

• News report Purchase: The council agreed June 20, 2022 to buy three adjoining properties, about 7 acres, for $1.95 million, for an active park. Appen Media, June 2022
• City says Since: The city planned in August 2024 to demolish the houses at 2545 Bethany Bend. City news release, Aug. 2024

A pond, pier and pavilion in Crabapple, donated by the developer of Lakeside at Crabapple in exchange for building credits.

• City says City's use label: Passive Park City of Milton GIS, Points of Interest layer (FacilityType)
• City says Donation: The developer, “in return for some building accommodations,” donated about 5 acres and built the pond, dam, pier and pavilion. Named Mayfield Park in July 2022. City news release, July 12, 2022

Two small tracts the city says it bought with bond money. The county tax roll still lists all of the land under the homeowners association next door.

• City says City's use label: Passive Park City of Milton GIS, Points of Interest layer (FacilityType)
• City says Bond map: Shown on the city's map of greenspace bond properties City of Milton GIS, Greenspace Bond Properties layer
• City says Bond purchase: 4.82 acres for $1,600,000, June 2019. City of Milton greenspace bond page
• City says Who owns it: After a 2024 plat revision, the city says it owns two tracts totaling 4.72 acres, bought with bond money, and the Windward Village Owners Association keeps an 11.06-acre tract. City news release, Nov. 1, 2024
• Record Tax roll: Fulton County's 2026 tax roll lists the Windward Village Owners Association as owner of all three new parcels, including the city's two (1.60 and 3.12 acres). Fulton County 2026 tax parcels
• News report Open to the public?: No, as of November 2023, when the city estimated $7,200 to open it. No newer record found. Appen Media, Nov. 2023

A 2.52-acre city parcel the city labels a passive park. It is on the city's bond map, but no purchase record has been found.

• City says City's use label: Passive Park City of Milton GIS, Points of Interest layer (FacilityType)
• Record Bond map: Added to the city's bond map in June 2024. It is on no city list of bond purchases, and no purchase record has been found. City of Milton GIS, Greenspace Bond Properties layer
• Record Owner: Fulton County's tax rolls for 2023 through 2026 list the City of Milton. Fulton County 2026 tax parcels
• City says City plan: The city's 2019 parks plan lists a “recently acquired” 2.5-acre Wood Road Trail Head. City parks and recreation comprehensive plan, 2019

A historic house the city bought out of foreclosure in 2011 to save it. Senior Services North Fulton runs a senior center there.

• City says City's use label: Senior Center City of Milton GIS, Points of Interest layer (FacilityType)
• City says Purchase: Bought from foreclosure in 2011 for $250,000 “in order to save the structure.” City parks and recreation comprehensive plan, 2019

A small meeting room beside City Hall, on land the city bought in 2014.

• City says City's use label: Community Center City of Milton GIS, Points of Interest layer (FacilityType)
• City says Purchase: The city paid $900,000 for a little over two acres for City Hall, from its land acquisition budget. City release via Patch, May 2014

A historic house and 1.85 acres on Arnold Mill Road, donated to the city in 2024.

• City says Donation: Council accepted the house and 1.8516 acres “as is” on Sept. 16, 2024; the FY2025 budget set aside $220,000 for exterior work. City news release, Sept. 2024

A small park on Fulton County school board land that the city runs under a five-year agreement. Closed to the public during school hours.

• Record Owner: The land is Fulton County Board of Education parcels, not city land. Fulton County 2026 tax parcels
• City says Agreement: The council took up a five-year agreement with the school board to use the park in May 2021. A renewal would be due about now. City council agenda notice, May 2021
• City says Hours: “During school hours, Friendship Park is closed to the public. It opens after school hours and closes at dusk.” City facility page, Friendship Park
• City says Acres: The city's 2019 parks plan lists 1.8 acres. City parks and recreation comprehensive plan, 2019

A one-acre park with a veterans memorial in a Deerfield office park. No parking of its own.

• City says City's use label: Active Park City of Milton GIS, Points of Interest layer (FacilityType)
• News report Purchase: Appen reported the city bought the land in 2010 “using MARTA money.” What that money was has not been found. Appen Media, Nov. 2013

A 1950s house the city got from Fulton County at incorporation and renovated as a community center in 2011.

• City says City's use label: Community Center City of Milton GIS, Points of Interest layer (FacilityType)
• News report How the city got it: Obtained through Fulton County when the city incorporated; the city spent $140,000 renovating it. AJC, June 6, 2011

Strings attached

• News report Possible reverter: Patch reported the house was donated to Fulton County on the condition that it go back to the original owner if its use changed. The deed has not been found. Patch, June 7, 2011

A pavilion and playground on the old Crabapple School House site, used for Christmas in Crabapple and other events.

• City says City's use label: Community Center City of Milton GIS, Points of Interest layer (FacilityType)
• News report Built: Construction began in October 2014 on a $499,877 contract. Appen Media, Oct. 2014

Strings attached

• Record Deed covenant lifted: The deed required use for 4-H, Boy Scout, home demonstration and other agricultural purposes. In December 2025 the school board signed a deed releasing that covenant; the city memo says recording it clears the way for a “possible conveyance to a third party for use in a Mayfield District development project.” Final vote and recording not confirmed. Council agenda item 25-327, Dec. 15, 2025