City Completes First Phase of Work At Emory Johnson Park

The first phase of renovations at a Toccoa park is complete.

Recently, the city of Toccoa unveiled two new picnic shelters at Emory Johnson Park off of Whitman Street in Toccoa.

The new shelters were unveiled over Memorial Day weekend in time for the 26th annual Poke Sallit Festival at the park.

Toccoa City Manager Billy Morse said staff from the Toccoa Public Works Department worked with the construction class at Stephens County High School to complete the project.

“There was a picnic shelter down there that needed some pretty major repairs,” said Morse. “What we ended up doing is just demolishing it and taking it down and putting up two new shelters at that location.”

The new shelters were outfitted with picnic tables, grills, landscaping, and sidewalks.

“It looks beautiful in my opinion,” said Morse. “It is very nice work. I appreciate what our folks did and the cooperation with the community and the high school.”

Meanwhile, Toccoa Mayor Terry Carter said the improvements at Emory Johnson Park are long overdue.

“After months of planning and hard work by city staff, it is something we can be proud of,” said Carter. “Overall, I am very pleased with the outcome of it.”

Carter said there are additional plans for the park.

Morse said that the next phase of the work could start in the Fall.

“Our next big project over there is to re-model the concession building,” said Morse.

City officials said other plans include resurfacing the parking lots, additional landscaping, and new signage.

The city is using SPLOST V funds to pay for the work.

Mayor Carter said he appreciates all of the community support the city has received regarding Emory Johnson Park.