Jay Worley
Recreation & Parks Director
770-924-7768
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Planning
Cherokee Recreation & Parks Strategic Plan
The Cherokee Recreation & Parks Strategic Plan II 2025-2028 outlines a roadmap for enhancing parks, programs, and facilities to meet the growing needs of our community. This plan serves as a guide to achieving our mission—Making Life Better by cultivating active communities through recreation while preserving our parks and facilities. This strategic plan covers a five-year period (2025 - 2028).
As Cherokee County continues to evolve, our strategic plan is designed to be adaptable. The Cherokee County Recreation & Parks (CCRP) Advisory Board and staff review this document annually, updating it as needed to ensure that our agency’s resources align with the community’s needs. The latest version of the plan was officially adopted on March 19, 2025.
2019-2028 Cherokee County Recreation, Parks Green Space & Trails Master Plan
Cherokee County is committed to providing a superior quality of life for our residents and to preserving the beauty, unique character, and desirability of the community where we live, work, and play. Recreation, parks, green space and trails play a vital role in maintaining a vibrant, livable community.
This plan updates and expands upon previous planning efforts. Considerable progress has been made since the last plan in 2004. The purpose is to develop a community-supported plan that directly relates to the mission of the County and provides guidance to prioritize, fund, develop and manage parks, recreation facilities, green spaces, trails and recreation programs.
The master plan was reviewed and adopted by the Board of Commissioners at their May 7, 2019 meeting.
- CC RPGT Master Plan - Executive Summary
- CC RPGT Master Plan - Full Plan
- CC RPGT Master Plan - Appendices
Greenways & Trails Master Plan
The inaugural county-wide plan for greenways & trails was adopted by the Board of Commissioners in February 2025. Developed in partnership with each of our municipalities, as well as other regional partners, this plan seeks to develop system of greenways & trails throughout Cherokee County that promotes economic development, recreation, and transportation. The plan builds upon previous planning efforts. It includes recommended projects for the short-, mid-, and long-term in each quadrant of the county. It includes recommendations on funding strategies and program implementation.
- Greenways & Trails Master Plan – Executive Summary
- Greenways & Trails Master Plan – Full Plan
- Greenways & Trails Master Plan – Appendix A (Community Engagement)
- Greenways & Trails Master Plan – Appendix B (Peer Communities Case Studies)
- Greenways & Trails Master Plan – Appendix C (Trail Design Guidance)
- Greenways & Trails Master Plan – Appendix D (Project Prioritization Results)
- Greenways & Trails Master Plan – Appendix E (Capital Development Program)
Northeast Cherokee County Parks Plan
The NE Cherokee County Parks Plans include a conceptual design of three parcels of land in northeast Cherokee County that are all located within a 5-mile radius of the HWY 369 and HWY 372 intersection. Cochran Park, located on HWY 372, possesses 102 acres and has much potential for both active and passive recreational opportunities. Long Swamp Creek Recreation Area, located on HWY 369, possesses 23 acres at the confluence of the Etowah River and Long Swamp Creek. This area is rich in Native American history and has much potential for outdoor recreation opportunities. Yellow Creek Road Conservation Area, located on Yellow Creek Road, possesses 538 acres of conservation land and will be primarily dedicated to hiking, biking, horseback riding, canoe/ kayaking, and camping opportunities.
Southwest Cherokee Parks & Trails Plan
In 2020, Cherokee County began a study to develop concept plans for three parcels in southwest Cherokee as potential parks as well as potential routes for a network of aertial trails connecting the parks, schools, neighborhoods and employment centers in this part of the county. This plan is a result of that effort. The plan was reviewed and adopted as an amendment to the 2019-2028 Cherokee County Recreation, Parks Green Space & Trails Master Plan by the Board of commissioners at their April 20, 2021 meeting.
Hickory Flat Area Park Master Plan
The Cherokee County Board of Commissioners approved conceptual plans for the future Hickory Flat Area Park, which covers 40 acres and was purchased in April 2022. Lose Design created the plan after engaging with residents through public meetings and online feedback. Features of the proposed park include multi-purpose fields, ADA-compliant walking trails, a recreation center, playground, dog park, pickleball courts, and more. The phased project is estimated to cost $43.3 million, with the first phase at $15.9 million, the second at $9.7 million, and the third at $17.8 million. Funding and development timelines are yet to be finalized.
Capital Improvement Program 2008 - 2018
In November 2008, Cherokee County voters were asked if the County should issue general obligation bonds up to $90 million for the purpose of improving and expanding recreation and parks opportunities within the County. Voters overwhelming approved the measure and, in 2009, the Cherokee County Board of Commissioners began issuing those bonds for the purpose of fulfilling the commitment to the citizens of Cherokee County.
This report provides an overview of the Capital Improvement Program and the individual projects that were primarily funded by the issuance of these bonds. As described in the ballot question, funds were used for the purchase of additional parkland, the construction of new parks and recreation facilities, renovations and improvements to existing parks and facilities, and the purchase of vehicles and equipment.
Each city within Cherokee County also received an allocation from the Park Bond to enhance recreation opportunities within its jurisdiction. These projects were managed through design and construction by the County but are owned and operated by each city. They are also described in this report.
