Submitted by Sean Taylor:
What can you get for $200? Ever go to a restaurant and get a bill for $200? Probably so. And, once the meal is digested, you only have the experience to remember for your money. Ever go into Home Depot and come out having spent less than $200? Probably not. Ever go to an amusement park and get out for under $200. Not likely these days; in fact, you may not even get in the amusement park for $200, much less get out spending less than that. Certainly you have the memories but then what?
So what can $200 get you and your family these days?
Well this Tuesday, November 8th, if you, as a citizen of Dunwoody, vote Yes to the two bond referenda addressing the area of parks on the ballot, the average household in Dunwoody ($350,000), for $200 per year, will get improved park facilities and new land to develop future parks and recreation facilities in Dunwoody. After taxes, this is less than fifty cents per day.
By all accounts, Dunwoody parks are deficient in every category. We need multi-use sports fields, building improvements, open lawns, wooded trail systems and more. With the bond money, improvements to our existing parks (parks such as the Dunwoody Nature Center, Brook Run, Windward Hollow Park, the Donaldson-Chestnut Farm and Perimeter Park) could be a reality within five years. Additionally, we do not have sufficient parks currently as we have 3.5 acres of parks per thousand people, but to meet national standards we should have between seven and ten acres. The bonds will fund the purchase of additional properties to develop athletic fields, playgrounds, trails and many other needed community improvements.
Why am I voting yes? In addition to addressing the above noted deficiencies, this will help to increase property values in Dunwoody. Parks help to make and maintain a community as much as schools and churches / synagogues. This is a long-term investment in our community. I plan to retire here and I hope that my kids will want to raise their families here as well – something that parks will go a long way towards making a reality.
So what can $200 get you these days? A lot if you vote yes this Tuesday, November 8th.
