Alpharetta Approves Wills Park Equestrian Center Master Plan

ALPHARETTA, GA — The future of Alpharetta's Wills Park Equestrian Center is finally taking shape, as the City Council on Monday approved conceptual master plans that would expand and improve the facility.

The plans, adopted at the Dec. 3 meeting, call for constructing an additional performance ring, expanding the existing rings, replacing and increasing the number of barn stalls, improving parking and adding more community space to the area.

The plans came into fruition over several months through public meetings, on-site interviews, focus groups and online surveys to ensure they would be reflective of the wants and needs of city residents and park visitors, said Morgan Rodgers, Alpharetta’s director of Recreation, Parks, and Cultural Services.

The next steps in the process will be to prioritize the improvements and new additions so that a phasing plan can be identified. Alpharetta will then secure construction cost estimates in preparation for implementing the plan using a combination of public and private funds.

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“The Wills Park Equestrian Center is a great park amenity, but we also recognize that the facility is a regional draw that has positive economic impacts on businesses and organizations throughout Alpharetta and surrounding communities,” said Alpharetta Council Member Jason Binder. “We look forward to working in cooperation with those partners to bring this project to fruition so that the Equestrian Center continues to be a draw.”

Binder notes a group of equestrian enthusiasts has already formed the Wills Park Equestrian Foundation for the purpose of organizing volunteers and assisting in the funding. Based upon that group’s plans, the City Council has already earmarked up to $250,000 to match dollar-for-dollar funds raised by the organization for purposes of helping to fund the projects.

"This is a great day for Alpharetta and the Wills Park Equestrian Center, and there is more good news to come," Binder added.

You can view the plan concepts by clicking here.

Image via Shutterstock