Playground kicks off slate of Murphey Candler Park improvements

From park planning in 2016 to beginning construction in 2020.

In 2016 some 120 children participated in a series of interactive workshops to help planners design new parks in Brookhaven. And now, starting Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020, work is beginning on a new playground in Murphey Candler Park that will feature a castle, climbing tree and whimsical springers.

"The cool thing was that we'd already had adult input for the parks' master plans, but this was an opportunity for the kids to be a part of the process and give them a sense of ownership in their parks," said Parks and Recreation Director Brian Borden.

These improvements and upgrades were approved by voters as part of the 2018 Parks Bond Referendum.  Work has started on the new playground located on Candler Lake E, within the Horseshoe Rd. The new playground replaces the older structures that no longer meet safety standards.

The contractor has already placed erosion control measures and a tree save fence to define the Limits of Disturbance as found on the permitted set of plans.  Contractors are scheduled to begin work on Saturday, Dec. 12, weather permitting, which will include the removal of some trees in the improvement area.  Tree removal will then continue to the community green next week as their schedule allows.

These projects along with others within MCP are the fulfillment of the vision of Brookhaven residents engaged in the MCP Master Plan process with an abundance of community input beginning in 2015 and ratified by voters in November 2018.  The result of these projects will be an enhanced park experience for residents, children and guests in Brookhaven.

Frequently Asked Questions

When does work begin on the Murphey Candler Park playground approved in the Park Bond, and when will it be finished?

Tree removal at the playground is scheduled to begin Saturday, Dec. 12. The work will take several days. The start and completion will be weather dependent.  The installation of all of the improvements to the Park with the exception of the Community Building are scheduled to be complete by Fall 2021.

Category: Murphey Candler Park Improvements
What are the improvements to the new Murphey Candler Park playground?

The new playground will consist of 3 areas with wood structures: a large castle with a slide and swings, a double swing, and a “tree climber” (a tall climbing net).  The play surface will be an engineered wood fiber that will meet required safety measures. The wood fiber is complaint with ADA, as it compacts down making it accessible to wheelchairs. The playground can be accessed from the gravel parking lot on Candler Lake East by the sidewalk on the west end and new stairs on the east end. The parking lot itself will be improved in a later project.  The playground will also be accessible from gravel parking spaces on Horseshoe once that portion of the project is completed.  The completion of the playground should be ready for use in Spring of 2021.

Category: Murphey Candler Park Improvements
How many trees need to be removed for the new Murphey Candler Park playground, and where?

Revisions to the construction drawings, initiated by Councilwoman Linley Jones, resulted in saving approximately 65% of the trees that were originally slated for removal for the playground.  A list of the trees that need to be removed for each project, the trees that were saved through redesign and the locations of all can be found here.  Tree removal for the planned MCP community green will also take place following completion of the playground tree removal.  No trees will need to be removed for the Horseshoe Road repaving, as Councilwoman Jones insisted that preliminary plans be revised to minimize and eventually eliminate tree removal for this project. The additional pervious, gravel parking spaces will be placed between trees along the road.

Category: Murphey Candler Park Improvements
Where can I see the plans and the permits for the new Murphey Candler Park playground?

The full set of plans approved to obtain the Land Disturbance Permit, LDP, for the playground can be found here. The approved demo plan shows trees to be removed to make room and more importantly, give a safe location for the new playground.

Category: Murphey Candler Park Improvements
What features are included in the planned Murphey Candler Park community green?

The community green is an exciting part of the Parks Bond Capital Improvement Program, approved by voters after extensive public input. The green will include a small 30’ diameter stage, seatwall and electrical outlets. It will not include lighting.

Category: Murphey Candler Park Improvements
How will the planned Murphey Candler Park community green be used?

The green is intended for use by small groups such as home schoolers, neighborhood groups, family gatherings, and birthday parties that could even begin with playground play, then a puppet show on the community green and a birthday cake in a decorated pavilion! The green will be open to reservations upon approval through the Brookhaven Parks system.

Category: Murphey Candler Park Improvements
What does the Park Bond Oversight Committee do?

The Park Bond Oversight Committee is charged with providing oversight to the implementation of Park Bond approved projects. The Park Bond Citizen Oversight Committee is not charged with garnering public input as the park master plans and subsequent Park Bond projects have already been through the public input process. The committee is to ensure the implementation is true to the master plans. Residents can contact the City via the website here: www.BrookhavenGA.gov/Contact

Category: Murphey Candler Park Improvements

Directions

Murphey Candler Park
1551 West Nancy Creek Drive
Brookhaven, GA 30319
See map: Google Maps
Georgia
  • Printer-friendly version