The DeKalb County Board of Commissioners has approved name changes for two parks in central DeKalb County to reflect their history and topography.
Redan Garcia Park, a 9.2-acre passive recreation space at 5338 Redan Rd., has been renamed as the Chapman Farm and Redan Nature Preserve.
Neighbors submitted a petition to the DeKalb County's Department of Recreation, Parks & Cultural Affairs' Citizen Advisory Board asking for the name change.
The park was acquired by the county in 2010 from the Garcia-Vicario family, but the Chapman family was the historical owner of the property, the parks department says.
The park received a $9,000 Urban Conservation Toolbox Grant last year to install irrigation and garden equipment. The purpose was to educate the neighborhood about the production of healthy food and to provide fresh vegetables for the community throughout the year.
The grant was obtained by the Chapman Mill-Redan Park Community Development Corporation, which was founded by Calvin Sims, a retired MARTA employee who has served on the parks' Citizen Advisory Board since he was first appointed by Commissioner Sharon Barnes-Sutton.
Meanwhile, Rowland Road Park, a 2-acre park just east of S. Indian Creek Dr. at 1227 Rowland Rd., has been renamed Split Creek Park to reflect that the land is at the confluence of Snapfinger Creek and Indian Creek.
A master plan for the park was discussed last year. A proposed site plan depicts a walking trail, bike rack, community garden, a small pavilion, and a 4-space parking lot.
The park renamings were unanimously approved by the BOC at its July 13 meeting.
