Parks and Recreation

Note: All city parks are closed from midnight to 6 a.m. every day.

The City of Milton develops and maintains a system of parks and recreational resources to welcome visitors and enhance the well-being of Milton residents. Staff works closely with the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board and the Hopewell Youth Association.

Recently, the advisory board and staff completed Milton's first Parks and Recreation Assessment Plan and Pattern book. A city-wide needs assessment survey will be conducted this spring. This needs assessment will shape the future of parks and recreation in Milton for the next 10 years.

There are two city parks covering approximately 214 acres: Bell Memorial Park and Birmingham Park. Each has its own unique characteristics.

Bell Memorial Park, located at 15245 Bell Park Road, consists of four baseball fields, picnic areas, a concession stand and a playground. It is home to the Hopewell Youth Association.

Birmingham Park, located behind Fire Station 41 at 750 Hickory Flat Road, is currently undeveloped. City Council, staff and the advisory board are in the initial stages of planning this park, as well as a few other park properties.

If you have any questions regarding Milton Parks and Recreation, contact Cyndee Bonacci at 678.242.2489 or e-mail her at .

Recent News

16th Annual North Fulton Golden Games

The City of Milton will be supporting and participating in the 16th Annual North Fulton Golden Games for the first time this year. The Golden Games are for adults ages 50 and over. Events include golf, tennis, field games, disc golf, 3-on-3 basketball, bridge, checkers, horseshoes, shuffleboard, bowling, biathlon, bocce, table tennis, billiard, swimming, ballroom dancing, cycling, walking, running, and Wii bowling. Whatever your interest, there is an event for you!

An opening ceremony with local dignitaries will kick off the event on Wednesday, May 5 at the Roswell Adult Recreation Center. Events will begin that last week of April and continue the first three weeks of May in honor of "May is Older Americans Month". The Games will conclude with an Awards Luncheon on Thursday, May 21 at the Dorothy Benson Center in Sandy Springs.

Participant registration will begin in late-February. The application will be available at www.roswellramblers.org. If you are interested in participating, please contact Cyndee Bonacci, Director of Parks and Recreation, at 678-242-2489 or cyndee.bonacci@cityofmiltonga.us for more information or to request an application. Volunteers and sponsors are also needed.

Parks and Recreation begins accepting college interns

The City of Milton Parks and Recreation Department is now accepting college interns to work with Director Cyndee Bonacci.

"An internship is so valuable for college students," says Bonacci. "They get hands-on experience that will advance them forward in their educational pursuits and career field."

Students will have the opportunity to assist with planning Milton's special events, as well as with the planning of future parks and programs.

"We offer a unique learning opportunity in Milton. We are laying the foundation for parks and recreation now. Most college students do not get the chance to participate at this level of planning," says Bonacci.

Five local colleges have been notified of the internship opportunity. At least one internship will be available each semester. Students should be majoring in sports management, recreation and leisure, exercise science, kinesiology, public administration or a related discipline. The internship will be for academic credit only.

Participants should click here to download the entry form

Milton Hires First Parks and Recreation Director

Cyndee L. Bonacci was recently named Milton's first Parks and Recreation Director, beginning her tenure Dec. 30, 2009.

Bonacci comes to Milton after serving 6 ½ years as Parks and Recreation Director for the City of Snellville, where she managed a staff of nine full-time and 20-25 part-time employees. The department offered athletic and recreation programs for infants to seniors and was responsible for coordinating all of the city's special events, including the annual Snellville Days Festival.

Bonacci was instrumental in completing several major initiatives during her tenure in Snellville. She guided the design of the new Snellville Senior Center, which opened in 2006. She completed a master plan for Snellville's 100-acre T.W. Briscoe Park originally constructed in 1974. Implementation of the first phase of this master plan was completed in August 2009.

She also completed a master plan for Oak Road Park, a 5-acre passive park acquired with designated Greenspace funds. In November 2009, she completed the two-year process of acquiring an additional 25 acres for Baker's Rock Park with the assistance of the Trust for Public Land. Baker's Rock Park will consist of a total of 60 acres, 30 of which is a protected granite outcrop.

Under her leadership, the City of Snellville Parks and Recreation Department was honored as Agency of the Year in 2004 and 2007 by both the Georgia Recreation and Park Association (GRPA) and GRPA 7th District. Bonacci was also recognized in 2008 as the GRPA 7th District's Distinguished Professional of the Year and the Distinguished Professional of the Year representing administrators state-wide.

Bonacci served GRPA as the 7th District's Administrators Chair from 2006-2009 and currently serves as the Chair of Professional Development for the district. She is also active in the Administrators and the Planning, Design and Development sections of GRPA and represents these sections on the Professional Development, Marketing & Visibility and Editorial state committees. Bonacci is also serving on the Host Planning Committee for the 2011 National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) Congress, which will be held in Atlanta.

Bonacci holds a bachelor's degree in health and exercise science from Furman University and a master's degree in kinesiology from Georgia Southern University. She is a Certified Parks and Recreation Professional (CPRP) through NRPA. Bonacci is a native of southeast Georgia, where she grew up on her parents' 115-acre farm. She and her husband, Ryan, have lived in Gwinnett County since their marriage in 2000. They have three children, Shea, Isaac and Phillip.

During the July 6 Regular City Council Meeting, Mayor Joe Lockwood and Council proclaimed the month of July as Parks and Recreation Month in the City of Milton. The city joins the nation in celebrating Parks and Recreation Month and recognizes its great importance for Milton residents.

The Hopewell Outlaws finished their All-Star season as 2009 USSSA State Champions. The Outlaws went 4-0 in the State Tournament beating Locust Grove Spikes 12-6, Fayette County 6-5, Sharon Springs Blue 12-4 and Jonesboro Backs 19-10 in the final. Overall the team finished the season ranked as the number one USSSA 9U team in the state. Congratulations Outlaws!