Three Roswell park bond projects are finished: LED lights at fields and courts, turf at Grimes Bridge and a rebuilt Roswell Area Park pond. Fishing waits to 2027.

Roswell has finished three park projects paid for by the 2022 bond in the past four weeks. The city cut the ribbon on a rebuilt Roswell Area Park pond Sept. 10 and on new turf soccer fields at Grimes Bridge Park Sept. 24. On Oct. 2 it said new LED lighting is in at its athletic fields and racquet courts.

Together the three carry about $11.4 million in stated costs and budgets, all from the bond. Voters approved the bond in 2022. Its repayment is the reason Roswell’s 2026 tax rate went up; our story on the new rate has the figures.

LED lights at fields and courts

The city’s Oct. 2 release says the work replaced old metal halide lights with LEDs:

  • 699 LED fixtures on 167 existing poles
  • about 54% less energy, by the city’s estimate
  • more than $1.3 million projected over 10 years in energy savings, staff time and avoided maintenance

When the council approved the contract in November 2025, the city put the total budget at $4,207,275, including contingency. City staff recommended Musco Sports Lighting for the work. The system can be switched and dimmed remotely, and it carries a 15-year warranty on materials and labor. Hembree Park was not part of the job. Grimes Bridge already had LEDs from a 2021 pilot.

Turf at Grimes Bridge Park

Soccer fields 1 and 2 at Grimes Bridge Park have gone from grass to artificial turf. The city’s Sept. 24 release puts the project at $4.1 million. Besides the new surface, it included:

  • a rebuilt retaining wall
  • a new plaza and stairway
  • new fencing and netting
  • a restored detention pond and stormwater work across the site

The city said the turf allows several field layouts and more hours of play. “Today, these fields have a new playing surface, a rebuilt foundation and a better experience for players and spectators,” said Steven Malone, director of Roswell Recreation, Parks, Historic and Cultural Affairs. The city said 29 new trees will be planted at the park this fall.

A rebuilt pond at Roswell Area Park

The pond at Roswell Area Park is open again after nearly a year of work. The city’s Sept. 16 release puts the cost at about $3.1 million. Crews:

  • dredged the pond and rebuilt its embankment
  • upgraded the stormwater system and added new forebays
  • improved the retaining walls and the trail around the pond
  • planted 35 trees, plus native and water plants

The city said turtles and frogs began returning before the work was done. It plans to add about 15,000 fish in phases as the pond settles.

Bar chart of three finished Roswell park bond projects: athletic LED lighting, budget $4.2 million; Grimes Bridge soccer fields, $4.1 million; Roswell Area Park pond, $3.1 million.
The LED figure is the project budget set in 2025; the other two are costs the city gave at completion. Chart by Roswell Journal.
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What it means for you

  • No fishing at the Roswell Area Park pond yet. The city said fishing stays restricted while the fish are restocked. It expects fishing to resume in late summer or fall 2027.
  • The pond and its trail are open to walk now.
  • Leagues and players at Grimes Bridge get two turf fields that the city said its athletics staff will program through the week.
  • Evening play at the city’s other lit fields and racquet courts is now under the new LED lights.
  • Follow the bond program on the city’s project dashboard. Our things to do page lists events in Roswell’s parks.