Forsyth County’s oldest park just got a new lease on life. County leaders cut the ribbon Wednesday on a $25.8 million overhaul of Bennett Park, unveiling fresh turf fields, rebuilt ball diamonds, a new community building, expanded parking and a mix of paved and nature trails meant to keep up with fast-growing demand in northeast Forsyth.
Renovation scope and funding
According to Forsyth County, the $25.8 million project was paid for with a combination of SPLOST proceeds, capital outlay funds and impact fees, along with a $2.2 million state grant. County materials list two multi-purpose artificial turf fields, three baseball-softball fields, two full-court outdoor basketball courts, batting cages, picnic pavilions, a playground and a new community building among the key upgrades. Officials also pointed to expanded parking and new trails as part of a push to improve circulation during tournaments and busy weekend play.
Ribbon cutting and remarks
The county held a ribbon-cutting at 1 p.m. Wednesday at Bennett Park, where local officials and parks staff shared brief remarks with a crowd of residents and youth athletes. Parks & Recreation Director Kirk Franz said the park "has been transformed" and emphasized its role as a place where families and kids make memories, as reported by 95.5 WSB. District 4 Commissioner Mendy Moore noted that Bennett Park has served multiple generations since it first opened in 1978 and described the renovation as a reinvestment in the community.
Improvements focused on connectivity
County leaders said a top priority was making it easier to move between parking areas and sports fields so tournaments and weekend leagues run more smoothly. "Improving connectivity between parking areas and sports fields was a top priority," Forsyth County spokesman Russell Brown told 95.5 WSB, adding that the expanded lots and new walkways should ease congestion during major events.
From blueprint to opening
The renovation followed a May 30, 2024, groundbreaking and years of planning aimed at modernizing one of the county’s earliest recreation sites, according to local coverage at the time. Forsyth News reported on the original ceremony and the project’s initial design goals, which included adding a community building and converting several fields to multipurpose turf.
What this means for residents
County officials say the revamped Bennett Park is expected to function as a hub for leagues, tournaments and casual neighborhood recreation for years to come, forming part of a broader parks strategy for Forsyth. County materials note that Parks & Recreation will operate and maintain Bennett and other facilities as usage climbs and programming continues to expand.
