2021 July Kennesaw City News

Kennesaw Hosts Ribbon Cutting for Depot Park

The City of Kennesaw and Kennesaw Parks & Recreation, along with the community, hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony for Depot Park, located at 2820 Cherokee Street this morning, June 25.

“Ten years ago, our community asked for additional greenspace and parks to be built throughout the City,” states Mayor Derek Easterling. “This request served as the beginning of our effort to build a truly unique and walkable community and created a fresh and different vision for our downtown. What you see today is the result of these efforts, and there is more to come. Today’s event sets the stage for the next phase of this project which will truly put our community at the forefront of exceptional.”

In 2015, the City of Kennesaw began planning for updates and improvements to the original Depot Park Master Plan (which had been adopted in 2008). The master plan was updated to include multiple program changes. Depot Park, located in historic downtown, is located in front of the City’s Southern Museum of Civil War & Locomotive History, and adjacent to the City’s recently completed Gateway Park. Depot Park is planned to host ample green space, an amphitheater and additional amenities to promote active living.

To date, Phases 1-7 have been completed. Phase 8 is currently in the design phase.
•Phase 1: Museum ADA & Underpass; •Phase 2: Land Acquisition; •Phase 3: Gateway Park; •Phase 4: Engineering & Permitting; •Phase 5: Grading & Wetland Mitigation; •Phase 6: Depot Park Parking Improvements; •Phase 7: Parking Lawn & Upper Meadow; •Phase 8: Amphitheater & Festival Area
“I want our community to know that much of the work on this project was completed in house which saved tens of thousands of dollars in the overall cost of the project and will allow us to do more in the next phases,” Easterling continues. “I would like to recognize our Public Works Team under the direction of Ricky Stewart who all worked diligently to make it happen: Rod Bowman, John Kennedy, Daniel Frey, William Robinson, Stanley ‘Chilly’ Mitchell, Randy Buchanan, Tim Christian, Kenneth Woodruff, Rodrick Garnigan, Nick Latham, Patrick Henry, Frank Wade, Gary Turner, Clint Warren, Keith Innes and Chris Warden. Amazing work … thank you, gentlemen!” “And, to our City Manager, Jeff Drobney, thank you for finding a way to create this beautiful park which will serve as a great addition to our community for years to come,” adds Easterling.

Depot Park is located in downtown Kennesaw, 2828 Cherokee Street, across from the Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History. The park serves as the backdrop for many city events, provides passive recreation to residents and welcomes visitors to our historical community.
Pictured above Kennesaw City Council with Mayor Derek Easterling (center).

KENNESAW POLICE DEPARTMENT NEWS

Despite the rainy weather, the Kennesaw Police Department’s first annual Juneteenth Community event on June 19, 2021 was a success! The community celebrated together with great food and fun provided by the Community Incident Response Foundation and the Kennesaw First Baptist Church. Thank you to all who made the event successful!

The Kennesaw Police Department’s Detective Kieffer was recognized at the June’s Cobb County Law Enforcement Association. Detective Kieffer is currently assigned to the Kennesaw Police Department Criminal Investigations Division. A rash of Entering Autos earlier this year totaling 30+ cases were assigned to Detective Kieffer. Because of his extensive network, continued effort and unwillingness to give up, by May 2021, he discovered the responsible individual had recently been arrested by a local jurisdiction. Detective Kieffer was able to successfully place the suspect at the incident locations clearing a great majority of his cases and providing justice to those victimized by the perpetrator. Detective Kieffer’s service to his community, personal initiative, and devotion to duty reflect great credit upon him and were in keeping with the highest standards of the Kennesaw Police Department and Law Enforcement service.

FIVE NEW OFFICERS JOIN THE DEPARTMENT

Please join us in welcoming three new officers to the Kennesaw Police Department: Officers Marlin Adams, Jason Brewer, and Terry Giese, were sworn in to the department on June 17th. Please also join us in congratulating our police recruits Nicolas Burns and Jason Metcalf for graduating from the Police Academy on Friday, June 25, 2021 and were sworn in to our department as officers on June 28, 2021.

A Garden with Wings Butterfly House at Smith-Gilbert Gardens

“A Garden With Wings,” the popular pollinator exhibit at Smith-Gilbert Gardens (SGG) featuring a kid-friendly pollinator garden and 2,000 square foot butterfly house, is open now through July 31.. Visitors to the pollinator garden will see an inspiring collection of annuals, perennials and flowering shrubs that attract and support native pollinators like bumblebees, hummingbirds and butterflies. The recently expanded butterfly house offers an up-close experience with butterflies, plus the opportunity to see all stages of their life cycle. Visitors will see host plants that serve as food sources for a wide variety of caterpillars.

Tickets must be purchased and reserved prior to arrival for all visitors and members. To purchase tickets, please visit https://smith-gilbert-gardens.square.site/.

“A Garden With Wings” is generously supported by Garden Members and the Smith-Gilbert Gardens Foundation. Smith-Gilbert Gardens would like to thank this year’s sponsors, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and Cobb EMC Foundation.

Southern Museum Brain Train July 21 10am or 1pm

Hop aboard the Brain Train to create, invent, and experiment! Each workshop will focus on a different s.t.e.a.m.-themed topic and will include an introduction plus hands-on experimentation.

Civil War Boats

Explore the advancements in ship building during the Civil War and learn about the first battle between two ships made from iron! Students will get the chance to learn about the different types of boats used and how they were powered. You will then have the chance to build your own boat and test it out to see how well it floats and how much weight it can hold!

Space is limited, and pre-registration is required.You can also register at southernmuseum.org/calendar. Classes are at 10am and 1pm
so be sure to specify your class prefer.

LIVE SAVING SELF-DEFENSE TECHNIQUES

Ladies, you have another opportunity to learn life-saving self-defense techniques! Taekwon-Do instructor Omar Welch will teach you the basics of fighting back if you are ever in a scary situation. Although we hope you’ll never need to use these skills, we definitely hope you’ll have them if needed! The class will take place at the Ben Robertson Community Center Saturday July 24th from 1:00 to 3:00 PM. Share with friends so they can also learn! Sign up at http://ow.ly/y3Z250FxPR5.

KENNESAW SKATE PARK CLOSED JULY 26-JULY 31

Attention skaters! Due to scheduling conflicts with California Skate Park company, the skatepark repairs will be taking place July 26 to July 31. During this week, the skatepark will be closed.