A loop over wetlands: RiverLands’ bigger park vision heads to council

New RiverLands Park’s recreation proposal is about more than playing fields. A public master-plan map envisions a loop-shaped wetland boardwalk, crossings of White Oak Creek and a trail connection beneath Campbellton Redwine Road, linking the park’s two sides.⁠[1]

Chattahoochee Hills City Council is scheduled to discuss the master plan with HGOR and Chattahoochee NOW at its November 5 work session, starting at 5 p.m. at City Hall, 6505 Rico Road. The agenda lists the matter for discussion, not an adoption vote.⁠[2]

The concept concentrates two multi-use fields, a playground, an event lawn and an amphitheater along the northern portion of the land east of Campbellton Redwine Road. A dog park and nature-play areas also appear on the map, along with restrooms, concessions and bike storage.⁠[1]

Farther into the property, trails and the wetland loop become the main attractions. The map’s legend lists 2.25 miles of gravel multi-use trails labeled ADA-compliant and five miles of dirt multi-use trails. These are proposed routes, not an announcement that they are built or open.⁠[1]

Our earlier account described a July draft focused primarily on 240 acres east of Campbellton Redwine Road. The public boards provide a more detailed look at how recreation could fit around the site’s constraints: the existing-conditions map marks much of the eastern tract as floodplain for “minimal development,” with developable uplands along its northern edge.⁠[1][3]

The park already has river-access amenities to build on. The city’s comprehensive plan reports that its Camp + Paddle overnight camp opened in 2025 and identifies an ADA-accessible campsite, kayak launch and restrooms among recent improvements. The city’s park webpage describes the master-planning effort as a roadmap for phasing, permitting, budgeting and fundraising.⁠[4][5]

More parkland also means more upkeep. Draft July 14 Parks Commission minutes describe a generally positive response to the concept, but say parks staffing had remained unchanged for five years despite added amenities and maintenance demands. Commissioners discussed potentially making staffing and equipment requirements a condition of supporting the east side’s opening; the minutes do not record an adopted condition.⁠[3]

The November discussion is not an opening announcement. The boards expressly describe their illustrations as ideas, with specific designs to be developed when ready for funding and implementation. The records reviewed do not establish adoption of the master plan, a construction schedule for the proposed additions or whether the July staffing concerns have been resolved.⁠[1][2][3]